Mates of the Luna Queen

CHAPTER 8 First Shift

　　Raven's POV

　　As midnight approaches, guilt washes over me. I should have just eaten the damn cake. Beta Brent was just trying to do something nice for me and I ruined the moment with my emotions. At the very least, I owe Beta Brent and the Omega staff an apology.

　　Digging through my suitcases, I pull out the white dress that my mother sent for this occasion. Remembering her instructions. I don't wear anything under the dress. Looking in a large mirror I realize that this dress isn't leaving much to the imagination. This gown is basically translucent. Mother promised that it would rip easily against my new wolf form and I can see why. It is paper thin.

　　Grabbing a robe from the bathroom I cover myself and quickly look at the clock hanging on the wall. It is twenty minutes until midnight. If I rush I will have time to make my apologies before my first shift.

　　Peeking my head out of the bedroom, I make sure that the coast is clear. Tip-toeing my way down the stairs, I make my way into the kitchens. The Omegas are sitting around a small table, laughing and conversing while eating my birthday cake. A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Perhaps I didn't ruin everyone's night like my father suggested that I did.

　　Wrapping the robe around me tightly, I clear my throat trying to get their attention. One of the Omegas looks up from his plate and quickly hops to his feet, bearing his next to me in submission. Soon all of the other Omegas follow suit. None of them look me in the eyes. They keep their eyes glued to the ground.

　　"Please," I say sweetly. "Don't submit to me."

　　The Omegas look around the table at one another, clearly having a conversation with each other through the mind link. I clear my throat again and they all freeze.

　　"I came down here because I wanted to apologize for how I treated you earlier," I say as I shuffle from foot to foot.

　　"Excuse me," one of the Omegas steps forward. "But what are you apologizing for."

　　My face heats with embarrassment. "For having an emotional outburst and ruining the presentation of the cake that you made for me."

　　"Oh that," the Omega giggles slightly. "We get the leftovers so you haven't ruined anything."

　　"Well," I say awkwardly. "The cake was beautiful."

　　Another of the Omegas steps forward, "Would you like to join us?"

　　The other Omegas gasp loudly and I chuckle at their reaction. "I would love to join you. Please, sit down."

　　The Omegas bump into one another trying to make room for me to sit down at the table. Squeezing in between two Omegas I take the slice of cake that I am offered.

　　At first, we all eat our cake in silence. The Omegas' eyes keep glazing over while they speak to one another through the mind link. I try to ignore the fact that they are smiling and giggling amongst each other. Finally one of the Omegas speaks aloud.

　　"We are being rude to our guest," she says with a sympathetic look on her face. "So, Luna Queen, what birthday are you celebrating?"

　　"My eighteenth," I cover my mouth to hide the fact that I am chewing.

　　All of the Omegas gasp and everyone turns to look at the clock. Spinning around in my chair, I glance at the clock. It is two minutes to midnight.

　　"Oh s**t," I mumble as I try to get up from the table. "I am going to be late for my own shift. Does anyone know how to get to the arboretum?" All of the Omegas quickly raise their hands. "Well what are we waiting on," I laugh. "Let's go."

　　The Omegas get up from the table and take off running for the backdoor of the pack house. I chase after them while I giggle. My father is going to be so pissed if I am late but this was the nicest time I have had since I left the North Pack.

　　As we run out of the pack house the moon is high in the sky. My skin begins to itch like it is too tight. Rose is growing restless in my mind begging for me to let her out.

　　"How much farther?" I yell loudly to the Omegas that I am following.

　　"Not much," one of them yells back.

　　"I don't think I am going to make it," I try to say but it comes out more like a growl. I fall on all fours and it feels like my skin is on fire.

　　"She isn't going to make it," one of the Omegas screams. "One of us needs to run ahead and tell the Alpha."

　　One of the she-wolves comes to my side and carefully tries to remove the robe from my body, but I growl at her. Pushing my hair out of my face the she-wolf shushes me gently. "You need to be less restricted," she whispers.

　　I look into the Omega's brown eyes and I know that she can be trusted. Unable to find my voice, I nod up and down. I sit back on my legs and let the Omega help me out of the robe. A sharp pain radiates through my spine and I scream out in pain.

　　I collapse under my weight and my head falls on the Omega's lap. She strokes my head gently as I writhe in pain. "Just let your wolf take over," she whispers. "Don't fight the pain."

　　I listen to the Omega's words and let Rose take over. I don't notice that all of the Omegas have created a human shield around me.

　　Bright golden fur begins to sprout all over my skin. My bones snap and reshape as I shake in pain. My fingernails elongate from my nailbeds creating sharp claws. I try not to cry out as the pain consumes my body.

　　"It is okay to cry," the Omega whispers next to my ear.

　　Her words give me the confidence I need and I scream out as my white gown pulls against my newly formed body and the seams rip. The pain begins to subside and I lay with my head on the Omega's lap panting loudly. My eyes flutter open and it is like a whole new world.

　　All of my senses are heightened. My eyesight is sharper and I feel stronger. Rose and I have officially become one.

　　Wobbly, Rose gets to her feet, and the Omega that helped us shift stands beside us with a proud look on her face. Rose rubs her body up against the legs of the Omega, showing her our gratitude for helping us shift. The Omega runs her fingers through Rose's fur and murmurs about how beautiful we are.

　　Suddenly the smell of fresh grass invades my senses and Rose is on the move. Lifting her nose to the air she lets out an excited yelp. Rose takes off running through the backyard of the Blue Moon Packhouse. She comes to a halt when she sees a group of people running toward us.

　　Lifting her nose into the air again, she lets out another howl.

　　'What are you doing?' I ask her as she sits on the ground and patiently waits for the group to come closer.

　　'Mate,' she responds with her tail beating happily against the ground.