-MILA-I screamed in terror when I looked up and saw a wolf standing on four legs.It was standing on the rocks staring at us,Lobo stared at it, "It's a normal wolf, nothing to worry about.""A normal, wild, and rabid wolf is nothing to worry about?""They sense what I am, they won't come near us."He walked over and helped me to my feet again."So, the fact that our things have been stolen shows that we were attacked. On purpose.""I figured." I held on to him as we walked, he held an arm around me as we walked through the forest."This is insanity. Can we not catch a break for even a second?""It would probably help if we didn't have a deranged serial killer after us. And a jealous younger brother.""We could seriously use a break. They could at least calm the hell down and wait until after I'm sure that I'm not going to die.""You aren't going to die, Mila.""Sorry, you must be so sick and tired of hearing me say that over and over again.""It's okay, I understand why you're worri
-MILA-I was walking out of the hospital room when Shauna approached me from out of nowhere.The doctors signed my release forms after keeping me under observation for twenty-four hours."Shauna? What are you doing here?""I'm here to see you. Lobo told me what happened, are you okay now?""That depends on what your definition of okay is. I'm in pain, lots of it," I glanced around the hospital, "Where is Lobo?""Oh, he mentioned that he was bringing the car around to the entrance. He said you were going to be staying at Lowell's for two nights?"I nodded, only slightly annoyed that Lobo told Shauna about it."Good luck with that, I can't imagine how awkward it will be.""Yeah. Did Lobo speak to you about the herbs?"She nodded, "Yes, everything I used is safe, the herbs can't be the reason you were in pain. Look." She pulled out a bag of herbs and stuffed some into her mouth.I glanced around, slightly worried that someone would see this and have questions, "Put that away, we're stand
I slowly opened my eyes, my head throbbing with a dull ache, I couldn't tell if it was due to stress or if it was part of the transformation. Confusion washed over me briefly as I realized I was in an unfamiliar bedroom. Memories of the night before began to trickle back into my mind, and I remembered hearing the heated argument between Lowell and Lobo. The intensity of their voices had left me restless, unable to sleep at first.I now remembered where I was; a guest bedroom in Lowell's house.With a deep breath, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and pushed myself to my feet. I glanced around the room, searching for any clue to indicate whether Lobo had been to the room or not. Curiosity gnawed at me, urging me to find answers. The previous night's argument filtered back to me, and I recalled Lobo and Lowell talking about me giving Lobo an heir.Heart pounding, I made my way downstairs, the floor creaking under my weight. As I entered the kitchen, I found Lobo sitting at the t
-MILA-We were thirty minutes into the dinner and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the tension between Lobo and Lowell.Candace, however, seemed oblivious to it. She was smiling and chatting away as if everything was fine and normal."So, Mila, Lowell tells me that you're getting ready for your first shift?"I nodded, "That's correct.""I was born into this, but my first shift still terrified the living crap out of me, so I can imagine how scary it must be for you.""Fear of the unknown, I guess. Part of me wishes it didn't need to happen, while the other part wishes it would hurry up so I can get it over and done with.""Well," she took a sip of her wine, "If you need a friend to chat with or any advice, I'm a call away. You're one of us now, and we all need to stick together. Especially in these times.""Thanks, Candace, I'll keep that in mind." It felt strange to sit here and talk with the woman Lowell had cheated with. A part of me wondered if she was only being nice due
-MILA-I opened my eyes slowly and the first thing I felt was the pain soaring through my body."Why am I not dead?" I complained, feeling that even death would be better than dealing with the pain that I was feeling."Mila?"I looked over as Lobo rushed to my side.I wasn't in the tub anymore, I was on something hard. It took me a moment to realize that I was in the alcove that held the altar."What's going on?""Shauna gave you herbs. You're okay, but you've been knocked out for a while.""It still hurts."He caressed my head, "I know. But it's almost over. Tonight is the full moon.""What? Already?""Yes, that's why you're here. You're going to be fine, we just have to get you through the pain, and you will be okay.""I don't believe you. It hurts so much, Lobo, I don't think I can do this.""You have to have a little faith in yourself, baby. It's all going to be okay."A stray tear escaped my eye, "Lobo, if I couldn't even handle the pain a few days ago, how am I supposed to handl
-MILA-The scream escaping my mouth sounded foreign, even to my own ears. I rolled in pain as it tore through my body.I could no longer focus on anything other than the pain.Lobo was speaking but I couldn't focus on what he was saying, the pain consuming me as my body fought against the change about to overtake me.And then I heard it, the first pop as something within me change.I had no control over it, my body was becoming larger by the second and I couldn't stop it. With each pop and snap of bones elongating I let out a pained scream that sounded more like a howl.I got to my feet, only to drop down to all fours as I roared in pain. Had I not been so focussed on the pain ripping through me, I would have been scared by the sounds coming from my mouth.In a futile attempt, I reached my hand out toward the altar, only to see an arm that wasn't mine. Long and covered in fur.Suddenly I stood on my hind legs and turned, there was another large and muscular wolf-man with me, and it t
-MILA- Lobo and Lowell were pacing back and forth while whispering to each other, it seemed they forgot that I could hear everything they were saying.They were speaking about my odd behavior when I shifted, as well as trying to figure out why I could shift while wearing silver.From what I was able to understand, that shouldn't have been possible.I pulled the blanket tighter around myself, still naked underneath, "Can one of you get me some clothes."Lowell turned, "No, you might shift again, so what's the point?"I huffed, "Fine, then can you at least stop speaking about me as if I'm not right here? I can hear everything you're saying and it's annoying.""Sorry," Lobo sighed, "We're just trying to figure this all out.""Why don't you just punch me again? Maybe that will solve it all." My voice was dripping with sarcasm."You were attacking me. I didn't have much of a choice."I raised a brow at him.Lowell took a step forward, "You know what? I have an idea. Why don't you stay with
-Mila-Lowell and Lobo left the room a little before sundown.I was chained by shackles attached to chains Lobo put against the wall.Around me was a cage. Lobo was sure that this would stop me from getting anywhere.Lowell wasn't so sure about it.My eyes were glued to the tiny window, searching for the moon. It was yet to come up yet, but I could somehow feel it getting closer.My body was aching and I was burning up.Much like the night before.I stared out the window in fear waiting for the moon to appear."Lobo!" I called out. I had a feeling this was going to be yet another bad shift.I half expected Lobo to ignore me, but the door opened and he came rushing in."Are you okay?""No," I shook my head, "I can feel it coming and it hurts so much."He shut the door behind him and came closer, "I'll be right here. But as long as you know that I'm not coming any closer."Despite the pain, I laughed, "Yeah, after I attacked you, I don't blame you." I glanced back out the window, "It's