Black River Daughter

Hungry like the Wolf

“Oh shit.” my jaw dropped and I tried to hop out of bed to run to the wolf with Frankie’s green eyes, before falling flat on my face, because you can only run so far with one leg. “Well that was graceful, I’m okay.” Frankie rushed to my side and tried to push me up with her muzzle.

“Hannah, get your mom.” Rod bent over to pick me up and place me back on the bed. “Frankie you are probably the biggest new wolf I have ever seen. You are going to be an absolute monster once you mature fully.” Frankie whimpered in response and crouched down with her head on her front paws. “Probably for the best that you shifted at home, can you shift back yet?” I saw Rod’s eyes cloud over with her mental response to him. “Okay, let me get your mom settled and we will have to go for a run. Good thing we live on the edge of the woods.”

“What has Hannah sooooo, holy crap she is a monster!” Kim blurted out as she and Hannah came into the room. “Oh my Goddess!” Frankie whimpered again. “No no honey you are gorgeous! Your wolf is magnificent!” Kim began to coo to Frankie in apology. “Baby you have to be the prettiest wolf I have ever seen, but you are still growing and already the same size as Hank!”

I am still shocked at seeing my baby in this form. I knew that she had a chance of shifting, but I was preparing myself for a little wolf because she would be halfling with my human side. “You glow” was all I could say noticing the iridescent undertones to her white fur. 

“Yeah she does.” Rod replied scratching his chin, “Baby doll you are going to have to roll in some dirt before we go for a run, you would be a beacon even at night.” Rod walked into the bathroom, and came out a few moments later in his wolf form “I’m going to have her roll in the BBQ pit then run her for an hour, we’ll be back” Rod told me through the mate bond. I nodded in response, noticing that Frankie was only a few inches shorter than him at the shoulder. I could look them both in the eye standing with their enormous size. 

They left the room with Hannah to open the back door for them, I had her hang two robes over the back deck railing for them to put on after they shifted back. “Oh gods and planets Kim! Where did that come from?” I asked, rubbing my face.

“Either she is the Goddess reincarnated or your hunter blood did something spectacular.” She shrugged, shaking her head. “Let me help you down stairs, she is going to be starving after her first run, and with her size, leftovers aren’t going to cut it.”

I nodded “Yeah, just hand me my crutches, my stump is sore.” I balanced on my leg wrapping the robe tighter before fitting my forearms into my crutches. Kim walked with me to the stairs and stabilized me on the way down. 

“Just sit and tell me where everything is.” She requested as she opened the fridge and pulled out the leftovers, and some hamburger meat. 

“Pans to the left of the stove, utensils in the drawer on the right. You doing up burgers or meatloaf?” I asked 

“Probably just going to make spaghetti.”

“Jared sauce in the pantry on the left side, canned it two weeks ago, we only have macaroni noodles though, they are next to it.” I laughed at her disgusted look at the mention of elbows instead of spaghetti noodles.

“They will do, she’s not picky like my last two are” Kim answered

“You should serve it in a dog bowl just to mess with her” Kim and I both rolled with laughter at that joke.

“Rod told me about that after he showed you his wolf the first time!” 

“He deserved it, he kept telling me that I just needed to train harder to run as fast as him, then poof, ‘hey babe, I’m a supernatural and a human will never be as fast as me’ I could have poisoned him instead of accepting him” 

Kim was still laughing as she began boiling water and stirring the meat. “Yeah if I was in your shoes I think I would have too.” 

The food was cooling on the stove and Kim and I were sitting at the table waiting as Rod and Frankie walked in the back door covered in soot and mud. “Just clean up after you are done eating” Relief flooded Frankie’s face as her eyes landed on the not spaghetti.

“Oh thank you! I forgot to ask before we left.” Rod leaned in and kissed the top of my head

“Thank, Kim, I’ve never had to deal with a first shift, you normally just grab a sandwich.” I replied patting his cheek

“I figured she would eat the house, Hannah was ravenous and snappy until I got half a chicken in her.” 

“Oh chicken, YES! Leftovers too!” Frankie exclaimed heaping food on her plate.

“Just grab the pan kid!” I said looking at her mountain of food on her plate. “And don’t eat too fast you’ll choke.”

“Yes ma’am” Frankie grunted out between mouthfuls. 

“She’ll be like this until her wolf is done growing. Might as well just add four hundred dollars to your food budget.” Kim commented.

“She’ll just have to grow a garden, and feed the chickens more.” Rod chuckled. “Or hunt up some rabbits.”

I turned green at the thought of her eating a raw rabbit “She’ll get worms.” I added eliciting laughter from Rod and Kim.

“How big do you think she’ll get?” Kim asked “I mean you doubled in size and if that’s the trend she is going to have to be taken back to pack land unless she joins this new moon pack locally. Game hunters and supernatural hunters are going to take notice of the giant ghost wolf in the woods.”

“Not sure that the New Moon pack is going to have as much political power to keep her hidden or protected. I mean most governments know about us, but we haven’t been introduced to the general public yet.” Rod sighed, “I’m afraid once she reaches her full size we are going to have to take her back home.” Frankie sulked at the news, but didn’t slow down eating.

“Her wolf will make her stronger too, she shouldn’t get sick easily and her injuries will heal faster than even a normal shifter.” I predicted. “Kido, you are going to be something special.” Frankie just beamed receiving praise.

“I’ll start sweeping up the mess, I’ll help you into the shower after.” Rod stood up to take care of the tracked in dirt.

“When you are done just load the dishwasher and get a bath. It’ll be cool enough to get a late start tomorrow.” I told Frankie as she finished the pan of leftovers and started on the noodles and sauce. I’ll make sure to pack a few extra sandwiches and snacks for her for the hike. Hell might just pack a whole ham leg for her since they plan on shifting. Rod came back in and scooped me up bridal style as I was considering how much food I was going to have to pack for our outing. 

I didn’t worry about him dropping me, with his supernatural strength he probably didn’t even notice that he was carrying me to begin with. After a nice hot shower we settled in for the night, exhausted after the evening surprise. Tomorrow was going to be interesting. 

Frankie

Shifting didn’t hurt like Hannah warned me, I just felt itchy all over, like I had on the most uncomfortable sweater in existence. I could feel the bones in my face shifting and popping, but nothing actually hurt. What surprised me was how fast it happened, Dad took a few minutes for a full shift, but for me, I was standing on two legs then the next thing I knew I was on four. I just had this urge to run, gallop, and chase. My wolf wouldn’t let me shift back either. It was like I was trapped in body armor, I could move and control everything, I just couldn’t take it off.

Hannah freaked out and cowered in her wolf form, she was showing me what she looked like, a cute brown wolf with a white muzzle. Once she calmed down she quickly shifted back and put on her pajamas to take me to Mom and Dad’s room. Then mom freaked out and fell on her face, and Dad just stood there gaping at me. I must have looked like a freak. 

Then aunt Kim saw me and said I was a monster, but I guess it was kind of in a good way in the end because she said my wolf was beautiful. I’m just big, when Dad shifted I was almost as tall as him, Hannah’s wolf was half that size. I didn’t like having to smell like ashes and mud to be able to run, but I don’t think that my wolf would have let me back out without it. And I have to admit it was the most freeing, exciting, best thing of my life. It felt like I was flying between the trees, zig zagging with no resistance or fatigue. I didn’t even get tired shifting back like Dad does, he normally grabs a snack and takes a nap after a run, like he just did a four hour workout. I wasn’t even breathing hard. But I was starving, and the smells coming from the house had me salivating before we even walked in the door. 

“Oh my gosh, my stomach is going to eat my spine!” I told Dad.

“Thank Goddess, I forgot about the first shift munchies” He sighed.

Food! Glorious food! Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce, I didn’t even care that it was with elbows, I was starving! I just couldn’t get the food into my body fast enough. I didn’t care for the conversation around my second meal, but they do have points, I’ll adapt, I know I will. My dad is the strongest alpha that his pack has ever seen, and my mom is the bravest person I know. They raised me to know myself and adapt. 

The next morning started late, normally we would wake up early and all of us as a family would work out. Mom on her special bike, the rest of us taking turns on the treadmill and lifting weights. It was one of the ways that we bonded as a family, and because we are wolves, we need to burn off all the extra energy before school so we don’t act up in class. I guess since we planned this hike the adults didn’t want us tired beforehand. It was probably more to do with my first shift and not getting in bed before midnight though. 

I could smell the bacon and eggs wafting up the stairs as I left my room to brush my teeth, toothpaste can wait. I want all the food now. I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen, to see the most awesome thing that I could imagine. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, fresh from the garden tomatoes sliced and all set on the table. Mom and aunt Kim were bringing the silverware to the table already done cooking.

“I died, this is heaven” I said as I sat down at the table.

“Nope, figured you would need to fuel up in case the picnic wasn’t enough after your run today.” Mom replied, handing me a plate and a glass of orange juice. Glad I skipped brushing my teeth. “Don’t be afraid to load up, this is mostly for the ones shifting today.”

“Thank you” I scooped eggs and a stack of pancakes onto my plate before pouring some of Mom’s homemade strawberry syrup on top. The rest of the family started to pile into the dining room just as impressed as I was.

“Eat up, I already had a plate, and I’m about to load the backpacks and coolers.” Mom instructed everyone. 

“Sit, I’ll help, I won’t need much.” Dad told her.

“Fine, after you are all done make sure your swim suits are in the bags with the towels, I’m staying at the lake, while you go run.” Mom added. 

We dug into breakfast, and finished every bite. I ran back up stairs to brush my teeth and grab my suit towel, then put on my hiking boots. I packed an extra change of clothes since I would probably shift again today, but wore some old faded khaki shorts and tank top that I had been meaning to toss out for ages. No since in shredding a nice set of clothes. 

After everything was packed the cousins aunt Kim and uncle Hank were loaded into their minivan and my family was in our Jeep Wrangler. We rode an hour up to the state park and pulled into the gravel parking lot. Everyone grabbed a backpack, Dad grabbed the cooler like it was a briefcase, and we started up the trail. 

I missed the amount of natural wilderness that Dad’s pack territory had, but it didn’t mean that I wanted to go back just yet. This forest was perfect though. Shady paths that opened up onto a crystal blue lake with a pebble beach. Hardly anyone came out here, it was just bliss. With my now heightened hearing I could tell that little animals were scurrying off the path before we could even see them, it was sort of distracting.

“You can focus that if it gets too much Kido.” My dad told me noticing that I was having a problem with the overload of information coming from my ears. 

“How?” It would be super helpful

“Take a deep breath, ask your wolf to step back, and focus on one thing in front of you.” He said, pulling me to the side of the path. 

I did as he said, but my wolf didn’t want to let go, she was in her element and she wanted control, and if she couldn’t get it she was going to take in as many sounds as she could. “She doesn’t want to,” I said, starting to panic.

“Explain that she is going to be able to go for a run once we get past the lake and people”

I tried again, and the noises began to turn down as if I was listening to the radio, I exhaled in relief. “Thanks, she understands.”

“We better get going then, she needs this as much as you do.” He picked the cooler back up and we quickly caught up to the group. About a mile later we made it to the lake. Dad helped mom lay out a blanket and set up our stuff. She would basically be our lookout for if anyone else was planning to explore the lake today. She could tell Dad through the mate bond if anyone was in the area before five naked people just walked out of the forest.

Uncle Hank and Dad sniffed the air to see if anyone was there recently before stepping behind the tree line and throwing their clothes to mom and the rest of us. The four younger kids were going to stay with mom and swim, while we left for our run. Next it was mine, Hannah’s and Aunt Kim’s turn to strip and shift. As soon as I was out of my clothes I shifted and aunt Kim gasped. “Oh Goddess you are fast!”

“Told you” Hannah piped in. 

“You are even shinier in daylight, go find some mud to roll in quickly” Aunt Kim instructed.

I huffed but did as instructed, I would just have to go for a swim when we got back.

We joined up with Dad and uncle Hank after I had thoroughly muddied myself, and set off for our run. We took off into the woods dodging trees and fallen limbs. I started to test out my strength jumping high and bouncing off tree trunks like a ninja in one of my favorite animes. Uncle Hank huffed in a wolfish laugh, “I keep forgetting with your size that you are a pup” He added through the pack link. Hannah was lagging behind so I did my ninja jump bounce trick again to turn around and go back to her to catch up. She was so much smaller than us three that she was having a hard time keeping up with us.

“If she’s this strong now at this age, she is going to be something once she’s an adult. Her mate is going to have to step up his game” Aunt Kim commented earning a growl from my dad.

“Can we not talk about my fifteen year old's future mate? She still has at least five years of growth before she should even feel the call”  Aunt Kim laughed at my dad's over protectiveness. 

We ran for at least two more hours before taking a turn down a deer path, heading back to the lake. “Mom says it’s clear, we’re going to jump in the lake and the kids are going to toss us our suits.” Dad told us.

“Good thing I brought a one piece!” I replied before charging through the tree line and leaping into the welcoming cool water. I could hear Mom laughing as I surfaced paddling closer to the shore line. My sister swam out to meet me and passed me my bathing suit. I gripped it in my mouth before diving a few feet under the surface to shift then put it on. Shifting underwater seemed to be a bit more technical, but felt nicer since I wasn’t fighting gravity to stand up again. I pulled the suit up my legs and over my arms, then swam closer to the shore to straighten it out. 

“Oh my gosh that was so fun!” I happily chirp.

“Good, we’ll have to come up again soon.” My mom replied before pulling out food. “Pretty sure you’re starving, come on out.” My stomach growled in response.

“Yeah, that I am.” I swam till I could stand then walked the rest of the way out feeling weak. I immediately dug into the sandwiches and chips, before grabbing a water bottle to wash it down. The rest of the wolves finished putting on their suits and came up to dig in too, while the younger kids continued to play and hunt for the prettiest rocks on the shore.

“Dig in guys, the littles ate about an hour ago, once you are finished we can head back to the house to get some real food.” Mom instructed. “I already placed a pizza order to be delivered at six.”

“Oh Goddess I love you” Dad sighed leaning in to kiss her.

“Shifting burns the calories, so it’s okay to junk out every now and then.” Mom replied. “I ordered seven” she then added.

“We are not worthy!” I began mock bowing and praising her as I stuffed a third sandwich in my face. Mom is normally a health nut, but in a good way, everything she fixes is so yummy, but it is very rare that we get fast food like this. Normally it’s lots of greens and baked food, and rice or sweet potatoes. But there is just something about a good fast food pizza that is comforting.

Once we changed back into our street clothes and back into the vehicles I passed out, I was so exhausted from all the activity it wasn’t until Dad was shaking my awake in the driveway that I realized that we were already home. “I’m going to eat your pizza, if you don’t get out of this Jeep.” He threatened. Oh hell no, not my cheesy deliciousness. 

“I’m up, I’m up!” He handed me the cooler and my backpack.

“Good take this in, I need to carry your mom, she overdid the walk.” He shot her a chastising look, and she weakly smiled in return.

About half an hour later the best sound in the universe rang through the house, the doorbell. Pizza was here! My tummy growled again in anticipation, sure I wolfed down four sandwiches at the lake, but that just sated me. I will eat an entire pizza by myself. I heard the door open, and dad say thank you. Then the smell hit me, the smells were stronger, it didn't just smell like cheese and bread any more, I could tell that at least two of those beautiful pies were meat lovers, and one will be claimed by yours truly. 

The next thing I heard was a stampede of feet heading to the dining room, “NOO, not my pies!” I shout as I run down the stairs to wrestle at least one slice for myself. Hannah was right on my heels, laughing the whole way down.

Dad was standing at the head of the table holding seven pizza boxes aloft of the kids trying to keep grabbing hands from snatching any away. He quickly handed two boxes to me. “One is Hannah’s” I happily grabbed it and ran to the back deck with our prize to abandon Dad with the little ravenous wolves. 

I sat our boxes on the table and we both pulled up deck chairs to tuck in. “You are so fast! And your wolf is super agile even for being as big as you are. I’m pretty jealous.” Hannah told me.

“Thanks, and don’t be,” I said around a mouthful burning my top lip. “Your mom and Dad are really fast, and you can learn to be agile, once I get bigger I won't be able to squeeze through those rocks and gaps we explored today.” 

“Yeah that’s true. So when you come out in the summer you’ll have to show me how to do that jump flippy trick you did on the tree trunks.” 

“Oh for sure! Just watch a lot of anime and gymnastics videos.” I agreed.

“You are such a nerd! How can someone as pretty as you be such a big dork?” She laughed at my obsession.

I feign injury “How dare you insult me such madame!” we fell into more laughter. “I just like em, they have amazing art, and stories, and even though the fans can get pretty cringy, they support each other and always have something funny or smart to say.” I pause for a moment chewing the cheesy meaty manna from heaven. “The guys get pretty awkward around me, cause they think I’m pretty, but I am never short of cosplay groups!” 

“Oh I love that stuff! There is one near us when you come visit!” Hannah cheered.

“Oh my goose! That is awesome! I’ll get started on your costume too. But you have to watch ‘Hero’s Great Academy’ so you know what I’m doing for you.” I start bouncing in my seat excited that I get to dress up Hannah.

“Okay, okay, but at least give me cookies if I’m diving into the dark side!” Hannah Jokes.

“Nerd alert! Hannah just used a pop culture reference!” I shout cupping my hands in a mega phone imitation, we devolve into laughter and finish our pizza before cleaning up and running to my room to watch anime for the rest of the night. 

Rodney

“I was not expecting this, Babe.” I comment as I help Samara clean up the table. “She’s fast, it’s like she was teleporting back and forth on our run.” She just chuckles  as she washes out the cups.

“Kim said she thinks it’s some kind of boost my hunter blood gave her.” Samara shrugged

“Isn’t she the first super that has happened from a hunter?” I asked.

“As far as I know, I’m going to call my grandpa and ask about it after everyone leaves.” she dropped the sponge in the sink then turned to me. “You are going to have to call the elders too, they may have some info on why she’s so large, and that color. It’s like an opal in the sunlight, it’s not just white, it’s like looking at a prism.”

“You should see it with wolf eyes, it looks like that holo glitter stuff you always paint your nails with.” 

“Oh wow I would love to see her fur like that.” My gorgeous mate has this wistful look on her face just imagining it. “Maybe it’s the other option Kim suggested.”

“The last thing I need to think about is raising a literal Goddess.” I huffed “If that were the case we would have more than just my pack elders to worry about, she would be a literal beacon to every supernatural being alive, she would easily be a queen, once she came of age. She would be in constant danger.” 

“I wonder what kind of mate she has.” She mused.

“That, that kind of talk needs to stop, my baby doesn’t have a Mate, she is my perfect little sweetheart and never growing up, she is going to be my baby forever!” I emphasize slamming the lid on the trash can after putting a new bag in it. 

“Sooo, you have become my father, that’s gross.” she said with a mischievous grin crawling across her face.

“GUUHH, fine! She will have a mate, but she doesn’t YET, and I’m going to hold onto the belief that she’s still my chubby little baby and can do no wrong.”

“Awe, poor big bad wolf has to watch his pups grow up!” The insufferable woman said, patting my arm.

I pulled her into a hug burying my nose into her neck. “It’s just too soon, I know she’s going to be an amazing adult, but it’s happening too fast. I just wish that it could go slower so we could enjoy it better.” I say bitterly.

“Well being deployed for nearly the entire beginning of her childhood didn’t help.” Samara rubbed my back in circles hugging me. “She’s strong, and will make good decisions, we know that. And I really don’t think that she’s going to let others control her.”

I sigh. “Yeah, we’ve armed her with a lot of attitude.” I leaned in kissing my woman, my home. “I guess we’ll see what happens.”