The Shift

Ria’s heartbeat slammed violently against her chest as she tried to force herself out of the grip, but his hold only tightened.

Without warning, Michael pulled her into him.

Ria froze instantly as his arms wrapped around her firmly and protectively, as though shielding her from something unseen that is lurking beyond the room. She could hear the brutal pounding of his heartbeat beneath his chest, it was fast and uneven against her ear.

Then he stilled for a bit as his breathing deepened suddenly.

She quickly recognized his scent.

“M… Michael!” she gasped, staring up at him in shock.

But Michael didn’t let go of her,instead he tightened the gripping as his sharp eyes remained fixed on the door behind her, every muscle in his body was tense like a predator that was prepared to attack at any slightest movement.

Then Ria felt a sharp sting spread across her back where his fingers touched her skin.

She winced painfully.

Michael immediately looked down as his expression darkened.

Long black claws had extended from his fingertips, pressing dangerously against her skin.

Ria’s breath caught in terror.

Michael released her instantly and stepped back.

Ria stared at him, scared and horrified.

All her life in London had felt normal with her normal ordinary parties, her school and friends, both birthdays,but this… this was impossible and all new to her…

Her body trembled violently as she pushed herself backward across the bed, curling into herself with her knees pressed tightly against her chest.

Michael noticed the fear flooding her face.

He tried retracting the claws, but they remained extended.

His jaw tightened and without another word, he turned and rushed out of the room, slamming the door heavily behind him.

The sound echoed violently through the chamber.

As Ria flinched hard and her breathing became shallow.

“What’s going on here…” she whispered beneath her breath.

Still shaking, she forced herself off the bed and rushed toward the door, locking it immediately before stumbling back toward the bed again. She grabbed a pillow tightly against herself and fixed her terrified gaze on the door before slowly looking toward the window.

Outside…

Michael moved quickly through the darkness and stopped beneath an ancient oak tree behind the Royal Pack courtyard.

He dropped against the rough bark heavily, breathing hard as his chest rose and fell violently beneath the cold night air as though the world itself had begun collapsing around him.

He pressed a hand against his chest with his heartbeat thundered beneath his ribs.

Then,suddenly Something moved.

A violent blur tore through the forest.

The thick woods shifted immediately before a massive black wolf burst from the darkness, its fiery eyes glowing beneath the moonlight.

The beast lunged.

Michael barely had time to react before sharp claws ripped across his left arm.

Blood splashed instantly.

The wolf landed several feet away and crouched low, circling him slowly.

Michael rose to his feet,his pupils darkened.

With a dangerous growl vibrated deep inside his chest.

Then the shift began.

His fingers curled tightly as black claws tore through his fingertips. A brutal crack echoed through the silent forest as his spine bent sharply. His shoulders widened violently while muscles expanded beneath his skin. Thick dark fur spread rapidly across his arms, chest, and back as his legs strengthened into a powerful stance.

His glowing eyes locked onto the wolf with deadly and terrifying look,Then he moved in one swift motion, Michael lunged toward the beast and slammed it to the ground.

His claws pressed against its throat but he froze midway to capturing and killing the wolf,His expression quickly changed instantly as shock flashed across his face.

The scent….”he whispered

Blood spread beneath his claws as the wolf whimpered weakly.

Michael immediately shifted back into human form and rushed forward before the creature could fully transform.

He grabbed a thick black cloak from nearby and wrapped it carefully around the trembling body, covering it completely.

Then he lifted the unconscious figure gently into his arms and carried it back toward the room.

The door stood open when he entered.

Michael laid the figure softly on the bed and stared down silently for a long moment.

Then….

Ria coughed weakly.

Her body trembled violently beneath the blanket.

Slowly, her eyes opened as She looked up gently

and froze beneath Michael’s stare.

Fear crawled through her chest instantly as

She clutched the blanket tightly around herself before slowly looking beneath it.

Her breath caught,then she looked back at him, trembling.

“What did you do to me, Michael?” she whispered shakily.

Her voice broke.

“Why am I naked?

Ria asked softly as she gazed steadily at Michael, eagerly waiting for answers.

Michael didn’t respond.

Instead, his eyes slowly drifted away from hers and settled on her neck. The wound there was still fresh, the reddish mark standing out clearly against her skin.

Without saying a word, he stood up and walked out of the room.

Ria watched him leave, confused.

She still clutched the blanket tightly against herself as she slowly crawled backward on the bed. Strangely, she hadn’t even noticed the wound before now, nor the pain coming from it.

A few moments later, the door opened again.

Michael returned carrying a wooden bucket with steam rising gently from it. A towel rested over the edge.

Ria startled slightly as he walked toward her.

Without asking permission, Michael carefully drew her closer to him.

Ria’s heartbeat pounded heavily.

The blanket nearly slipped from her body, but she grabbed it quickly against her chest. Michael didn’t seem to notice. His attention remained fixed entirely on the wound.

Slowly, he dipped the towel into the warm water before gently pressing it against her neck.

Ria gasped sharply.

A painful sting spread instantly through her skin.

That was when she finally noticed the injury.

She jerked in surprise, but Michael caught her gently before she could pull away completely. His hand quickly grabbed her waist,not too tight enough to hurt, just enough to keep her still.…