It’s been two weeks since the rogue attack. Everyone has been busy with extra training and patrolling to bully me, including Miranda. My ribs have healed, and I’ve been feeling better than I have in a long time.

Max has been leaving food at my window ever since the blueberry muffins. Eating every day has given me strengthen and energy. I’m able to complete my chores a little faster, so I can get more sleep.

It’s ten o’clock at night, and I’m standing at the dryer, folding the last stack of towels, lost in my thoughts. Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday. I’m not sure if I’m feeling scared or excited, maybe a little of both. I should be able to shift for the first time and get my wolf. I can’t wait to meet my wolf; I hope she likes me. Wolves are strong by nature, and I’m worried that she will find me weak.

Once I get my wolf, I will be able to mind-link with the pack. I will also be stronger and heal quickly. My scent will become stronger, and I will be able to find my mate, if he’s in this pack. My mate! I sigh. The one person who is made for you and will protect you. I was daydreaming about my mate and having my first kiss when I heard a tap-tap on my little window. It was Max.

I jumped up on the dryer and slid open the window. “How’s the almost birthday girl?” Max asked with a big smile on his face. He was holding a box of pizza.

“PIZZA!” I squealed. I can’t remember the last time I had pizza.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got the meat lovers pizza.” Max opened the box and slid it to the ground by the window.

“Perfect choice, all werewolves are meat lovers.” I laughed.

“Dig in, we’ve got to get you healthy and strong for your first shift tomorrow.” He sat down on the grass with his back against the house next to my tiny window. It’s been years since anyone wished me a happy birthday, and now, I'm also getting pizza.

I slid my hand out the window and carefully lifted a heavy slice of pizza. It was loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham and bacon. It smelled so good; I was practically drooling.

I took a bite, “Mmmm, oh my Goddess Max, this is AMAZING.”

He let out a laugh, picked up a slice. “It sure is,” he said as he bit down on a slice.

I sat on top of the dryer, and he sat outside under the stars. We both ate in comfortable silence. We had spent several nights eating like this and talking.

“Lucy, Ranger asked me to go with him to the Night Howlers Pack tomorrow to discuss important matters. We’re leaving at dawn and should be back before sunset so that I can help you with your first shift.”

“Sounds great. Thank you, Max.”

“Would you like another slice?” He offered.

“I wish I could, I’m stuffed.” I grinned up at him as I patted my full belly.

“Here, take this in case you wake up at night and need a snack.” He wrapped up another big slice of pizza in the napkin and passed it through the window to me.

“Thanks, Max. See you tomorrow night.” I smiled back and closed the window as he left.

I set the slice of pizza down on top of my plastic tub and curled up in my dog bed. Max has officially become my favorite person at Dark Moon pack.

Max was twenty-three years old, two years younger than Ranger. He had found his mate when he was eighteen, and they were expecting their first pup a year later. His mate, Olivia, was pregnant at the time and had been killed in the same rogue attack as my father and our Luna.

Max was the complete opposite of his younger sister Miranda. As I thought about Max, I lay my head down and prayed to the Moon Goddess that Max would have a second chance at love someday. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Max. Whoever he ended up with would be one lucky she-wolf.

My eyelids grew heavy and closed shut. Sleeping with a full stomach is amazing ... that pizza is amazing, I thought as I drifted off.

“Lucy.”

“Lucy.”

I was awakened from my slumber and opened my sleepy eyes. It was still dark. I thought I heard someone call my name.

“Hello, Lucy.”

I sat up in my bed. “Who’s there?” I called out. I heard a female voice giggle, but I didn’t see anyone.

“Lucy, it’s me, Lia. I’m your wolf.” The voice said.

It must be after midnight, technically making it my birthday already.

“Happy Birthday, Lucy!” She said.

“Thank you,” I said out loud.

“Lucy, you don’t have to speak out loud, I can hear you in your head.”

“Oh, right.” I grinned. I closed my eyes and focused on Lia; I could see her in my head. She was beautiful. The color of the sun and fire, with the same amber colored eyes as me. Her tail was wagging, and she looked like she was smiling, if that’s even possible for a wolf.

“I’m so happy to have you with me finally.” Feeling grateful to have someone to talk to all the time.

“Lucy, I’ve always been with you since the day we were born. I’ve just been dormant until your eighteenth birthday.”

“When will I start to shift?” I asked excitedly.

“You can shift at will anytime. I’d like to stretch my legs out and go for a run soon, please.” She told me. “You should probably have something to eat first; the first shift will take lots of energy.”

I grabbed the extra slice of pizza Max had given me and started to devour it. I heard Lia growl with pleasure at the pizza.

“Delicious!” She practically purred.

“We could go out tonight with Max for our first shift,” I told her.

“Lucy, you’re going to want to shift alone the first time,” Lia said.

“Why?”

“It will be easier to explain when you’ve shifted. Come on, we’ve got some time before sunrise.”

“Okay, but we have to be really careful. I’m not allowed to leave the house, let alone at night.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Technically, it’s early in the morning and not night.” She sassed back.

I jumped up on the dryer and opened the tiny window to climb out. I ran towards the forest as quick as I could and seemed to be running faster than I ever had in my human form. When I reached my favorite fallen log, I stripped off my clothes so they wouldn’t rip when I shifted and carefully hid them in a bush next to the log.

“Now what?” I asked Lia.

“Close your eyes and focus on what I look like.” She told me. “Don’t be afraid, it’s going to hurt at first, but after a few times it will be quick and painless.”

I was a little anxious about the pain part. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and focused on the beautiful wolf inside of me. I fell to my knees and heard the cracking of bones. The pain was white-hot, and I tried not to scream because I didn’t want to attract any of the patrols.

“Focus, focus, Lucy, you’ve got this, almost there,” Lia called out.

I was panting hard and drooling. I opened my eyes after ten minutes and saw my paws were digging in the wet earth beneath them. MY PAWS!! I was standing on all four legs! My fur was ... golden?

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a light colored wolf before, I thought to myself.

“You haven’t, Lucy. We’re special.” She said.

Of course, even in wolf form, I’m different. I hope the other pack members won’t pick on me for it, I bitterly thought to myself, knowing they would.

“If they want to live, they won’t!” Lia growled.

“Easy there, girl, you want to go for a run?” I asked, and she yipped back at me.

I felt Lia take over and start running faster than I could have ever imagined. We jumped over logs, bushes and rocks. We zipped through the trees, feeling the wind in our fur. I felt so free.

We made our way over to the small creek up ahead, and Lia bent down to lap up water. I saw our reflection; my eyes were the same color, and our fur almost looked like it was on fire. I looked up to the sky and saw the beautiful moon hanging above me. I felt the urge to howl with joy, but I had to fight it because I didn’t want anyone to catch me.

This is amazing! I thought to myself as I looked around. I could see everything so much clearer with my wolf vision. Colors were somehow richer, and tiny details had become sharp. My sense of smell and hearing seemed stronger, too, like super senses.

We took off running again and rolling around in the forest. I could see the sky getting lighter, which meant sunrise was coming. We made our way back towards the tree line to the fallen log where my clothes were hidden. I was unsure of how to shift back.

“Just imagine your human self,” Lia told me.

I focused on my human self and heard bones crack. I fell face-first onto the forest floor and struggled to keep from screaming. My joints were burning, and my energy was completely drained. I wasn’t sure if I actually passed out.

I was curled in the fetal position on the damp floor, naked. I couldn’t move. I heard fast-approaching footsteps and closed my eyes. Lia was suddenly on edge and excited. A delicious smell of honey, cinnamon and apples hit me. The last thing I heard was a deep voice growl, “MINE.”