Rejection Denied

It’s the first of the month.

Last month Pete was banging on my door, ranting about rent money, and now I’m competing in a werewolf competition. And to add to the crazy, tonight I’ll be shifting into a werewolf.

So much has happened since then. Honestly, if I told any average person about this. They’d put a dollar in my hat and wish me the best of luck.

Mark and I have trained hard every day. He left a few days ago to go back home, taking Bex along with him to heal his poor wounded ego. But he was sure to lecture Nix and Cay about keeping me safe.

Nixon has been spending time with the new luna. I’ve seen her around, but she always has her head down. And she only speaks when she’s spoken too. But hey, everyone has a type. It’s not my business.

Cay has been preparing me for the shift. We went over some breathing exercises that will help the process. He has vowed to be there for me, so we made a plan. During the full moon tonight, we’ll head out to the lake house. I’ll shift and then join the others for the run.

Now, here’s the only problem. How the hell are we going to explain it to the others. I could say...

“Hey, I woke up human, and now I’m a werewolf.” No, that won’t work. Maybe something like...

“In the beginning, Aviry was abandoned as a baby…” No, that’s too theatrical. There’s no easy way to sugarcoat this.

So, fuck it. I’m just going, to tell the truth: point blank and a period.

I showered and changed into a pair of black joggers and a white t-shirt. The other champions started arriving early this morning, and I was supposed to be down there a long time ago.

Oops. But better late than never.

I slowly walked to the dining hall, where everyone was meeting and having dinner.

“Where have you been?” Nix said, grabbing my arm. “ As the host, I wanted you here with me to greet everyone.” We stopped right outside the doors.

“Ok, I’m here now.” I shrugged.

“You’re impossible. Everyone is already here, waiting for US!” Nix shook his head. “Listen, when we get done here, we need to talk.”

“I have plans after this. So, no.” And I do have plans. I’m meeting Cay at the lake house.

“Well, too bad. Let me remind you that we still have a problem. You’re still—”

“Nix, can we get started. Some of us are ready to eat.” A man with baby blue eyes and bleach blonde hair stuck his head through the doors.

“Oooohh, Alpha and champion quarrel, so sorry to interrupt.” The male stuck his hand out. “I’m sorry, let me introduce myself. My name is—”

“Are you the champion?” I asked.

“Well, no, I’m actually one of the al—”

“Then, I don’t care who you are.” I pulled the door open, and I walked in with Nix and the other guy following behind.

There were already people seated and chatting with each other. The tables were arranged family-style instead of separate. I didn’t look at anyone as I pulled out an empty chair nearby.

“You’re supposed to sit with me,” Nix said, pushing the chair back in.

“Then I guess you should go get a chair.” I pulled the chair back out and sat.

I mix of snickers broke out, and Nix walked away, mumbling about how stubborn I was.

“You’re a handful, aren’t you.” The bleach-blond whispered to me. “I’m Jared, Alpha Jared, by the way.”

I poured a glass of water from the pitcher and drank from it.

“I’m sure Nixon has spoken—”

“Why are you speaking to me?” I asked. Placing the glass on the table. The blonde looked dumbstruck and began to open his mouth.

“Alphas and Champions, welcome to my home,” Nix said from the front of the table. I turned to face him. “My name is Alpha Nixon Lancaster, host of our first Alpha Lunas Competition.” Applause rang in the room and then dispersed.

“We can get serious tomorrow, but tonight, let’s get to know one another. After all, even after this competition, we will still be allies. I want to start the night with dinner and end it with a Full Moon run.” The others agreed with grunts and soft applause. “I hope you all found your rooms comfortable, and remember, my home is your home. Now please, enjoy dinner.

Carts were rolled through the double doors, large plates with pasta, vegetables, and meats were placed in front of us. Steamy butter roll baskets and fruits were set down in various spots. Wine glasses were given to everyone, and somewhere nearby, the wine bottle’s cork popped open.

Everyone began eating, and I filled my plate to the brim, joining them.

“Who’s your alpha?” A woman asked beside me. She had a broad country accent and was wearing a glittery red dress. She had dark brown curls and green eyes.

“My name is Izzy, by the way. My Alpha is Sam. He’s that big brute over there.” All the alphas had gathered at the end of the table, conversing with each other. Sam was tall and had thick muscles and a unkempt beard. Underneath his cowboy hat was curly brown hair.

He looked up at Izzy and I winked with his dark brown eyes. Then he tuned back into his conversation with Alpha Jared.

I continued to eat, “I’m the winner.” I said blatantly, picking up a roll and tossing it down the table. I struck my target in the head. “And that’s who’s paying me to win.” Nixon shot out of his chair while the other alpha holes laughed.

“Aviry, can we talk outside.” He said through clenched teeth.

“No,” I said, biting into a chicken leg. “But, feel free to go outside—”

Nix picked me up from my chair, tossed me over his shoulders, and sped walked out of the dining hall with me, kicking and shouting. He placed me on my feet, and I hit him over the head with the chicken.

“What is your problem, Nix bitch!” I shouted.

“What’s my problem!? Why are so fucking difficult, huh?” He threw his hands up. “Why can’t you just do as I say. Kasey listens; it’s not that—”

“Kasey is an obedient DOG!” I shouted. Kasey, the potential luna that follows Nix around like a puppy. “I will never ‘Do as you say’ because you have no control over my damn actions.”

I pushed him aside and walked to the front doors. “Where are you going? I said I wanted to talk to you.”

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you. Now, fuck off.” I pushed through the doors and passed down the stairs. I heard a loud growl as the doors closed behind me.

The air was cold, and the sky was begging to grow dark. The full moon will be showing its face soon, so I’ll make my way to the lake while there is still a little light.

“Aviry, it’s almost time. I’m nervous.” Mia whispered

“Don’t be Mia, we’re finally going to shift. We can run through the woods in your proper form. Just wait, we are going to be ok." I assured Mia.

We walked through the woods, arriving at the lake house. It is a small cabin that overlooks the lake. It has a small kitchen, a sitting room, and one bedroom and bathroom. I honestly prefer this place to my bedroom back at the house. I went inside and sat on the couch.

“Cay should be here soon,” Mia said.

“Yeah, but don’t get your hopes up,” I warned. I have given others many chances to be by my side. Just to get let down. That’s why I don’t let anyone in.

An hour later...

We sat in silence, lying on the couch. There was still no sign of Cay as we waited. I stood up from the sofa and walked to the sink to get a sip of water. I ran the faucet and cupped my hand underneath running water.

I sharp pain had me clenching my stomach.

I waited and stood up straight. Another pain struck my torso that had me doubling back over.

“Mia…AHH!!!” I feel on the floor, clutching onto my knees. This must be it. It was time to shift. And to no surprise, Cay was not here.

“Aviry, remember what Cay said. He said to relax and to not fight the shift.”

“I wouldn’t fight the damn shift if was in less pain, Mia!” another round of fire knives stabbed at my stomach. I screamed and rolled onto my hands and knees.

My fingertips were searing with pain as my nail bed was ripped apart. I looked down, through teary eyes, to see bloody claws. The same sensation was happening to my toes. I opened my mouth to breathe, but blood dripped on the ground. My gums were in agony as I felt sharp points breaking through. I was huffing and sweating, but a small relief fell over me.

Is it over…

My right shoulder shifted forward, and my left shot backward.

CRACK!!

“AAAAAHHH!!!” I hollered.

SNAP! CRACK! SNAP!

The bones in my arms and legs were breaking and snapping. And I wanted the torment to stop. I felt like I was dying. No breathing exercises were enough for this labor. My eyes closed shut and fell into blackness.

“Aviry…Aviry, wake up.” a soft, comforting voice called out.

I slowly came to, glad to still be alive. “Did…did we do it?”

“Open your eyes and look for yourself.” I looked around the room. I was still lying on the ground. I tried to move my left hand to sit up, but instead, a left paw took its place.

A massive white paw accompanied by another stood up from the ground. But, I wasn’t in control. I was in my headspace observing.

“Mia, are we? Did we just.”

“WE SHIFTED AVIRY!” Mia shouted. She howled at the ceiling, causing the windows to shatter. “It feels amazing, it’s like I was trapped inside a jar, and you finally opened the lid.”

“Well, damn Mia, I did give you control a few times.”

“You know what I mean, Aviry. My mind was free then, yes. But now, my body is free.” Mia jumped around the small space. Jumping and crushing the couch and coffee table beneath her powerful paws.

“Ok, well, let’s go outside and run before we bring the house down literally.” I urged

Mia chuckled and walked to the front door. The floorboards creaked and groaned under pressure. She was a humongous wolf, more immense than Bex and but slightly smaller than Nix.

We towered over the door. “How are we going to fit through?” She asked.

“We can shift back and walk through,” I suggested.

“Or we can pay for the damages afterward.” Mia took some steps back, lowering her head and body.

“What damages—”

Mia shot forward, ramming through the front door, knocking it off the hinges. She jumped over the few stairs and landed on the ground spinning around to look back at the house. Dirt flew in the air as she steadied herself.

The front of the house had a massive hole, where the front door used to be. Wood panels swung and fell to the ground.

“We will not take responsibility for that,” I said. “Deny. Deny. Deny.” Mia agreed.

We turned around to face the woods, but we were shocked to see two large wolves gawking back at us. A large black wolf with black eyes, and a dark brown wolf, with grey eyes. Both wolves slowly approached us. And in the blink of an eye, a naked man, Cay, was now staring at us. But the black wolf was still there.

Mia whimpered and held her head low as Cay slowly reached his hand out. His eyes were adoring as he touched Mia’s white hair.

“You’re beautiful.” He whispered. The large black wolf growled behind him.

“Shift back, Mia. Nix doesn’t believe that you’re Aviry’s wolf. Give her control for a few moments. Just relax, imagine Aviry, and give her control.” Mia nodded, nuzzling her nose into Cay’s neck.

I internally vomited and relaxed as I was vacuumed into reality.

I opened my eyes to see Cay on my right and Nix on my left. Both men were gaping at me while I stared back. They were both completely exposed and sweaty. I looked down at myself and realized I was in the same state. I tried to move my legs, but I felt unsteady and fell onto the ground.

All I wanted to do was rest, but a voice, or voices filled my ears just before I dozed off. The single word, “MATE.” was uttered before I succumbed to the darkness.

A/N If you like my story please vote and share, and tell me what you think. 😀