CERTAINLY UNEXPECTED

CHAPTER 9: CERTAINLY UNEXPECTED

EVERLY:

Suddenly, something whooshed past me. I glanced around to see what was going on and before I could react, a large, grey wolf slammed into me, and knocked me off my feet. His move was more playful than aggressive, but the force of it sent me sprawling.

“Whoa!” I yelped, scrambling back. “Hey! I’m not—"

My words died in my throat as my vision blurred, and my bones cracked loudly. Then I felt a surge of power flood through my bones.

No, no, no!

I tried frantically to stop myself, but it was too late. I was on all fours, before I made sense of what was going on.

This was my second time shifting and I was puzzled cuz I thought I was supposed to have control over my wolf.

The grey wolf, now looking slightly sheepish, whined and took a step back.

“Everly?” Kaelan’s voice sounded quite… intrigued.

Then another wolf, a sleek black female, darted forward, and growled playfully. She was obviously challenging me for a spar.

My wolf responded in kind and lunged. I was no longer surprised about the sudden transformation as I felt thrilled, sparring with these werewolves.

We circled each other, as the black wolf made the first move, snapping at my flank. I dodged, but my own snarl nimbled in my chest. The fight – a playful spar, really – was on.

"Impressive," I heard Kaelan's voice as he spoke with Daniel and Owen. "She's holding her ground against Jane."

Jane. So that was her name. She was fast, and agile. But I… I felt different. Stronger than I’d ever felt before. My wolf moved with a confidence I never possessed in my human form.

We clashed again, with our fur and teeth. I managed to get behind Jane, nipping at her heels. She twisted, as she tried to shake me off, but I held on, playfully tugging at her tail.

"She's… remarkably skilled," Kaelan observed. "Where did she learn to fight like that?"

I couldn’t answer, obviously. My wolf was too busy having the time of her life.

The spar went on for several minutes, and we both controlled our aggression.

Nothing but playful nips.

Finally, we broke apart, panting. I shook my fur excitedly and looked towards Kaelan. He watched me with a flicker of pride in his eyes.

"Well," he said, as he smiled radiantly. "That was certainly… unexpected."

KAELAN:

As I watched Everly interact with the pack members, I was filled with a quiet pride. She was certainly nervous, but she wasn't showing it. That was a good sign..

Later in the evening, I took her to the fire pit in the main house’s courtyard. She sat beside me and looked lost in thought. I glanced at her occasionally as the flickering flames cast a golden glow on her face.

“Are you enjoying it here?” I asked, moving closer.

She looked at me, and her expression softened. “Of course.”

I sat beside her, and the warmth of the fire was a comforting contrast to the cool night air outside.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“ I feel a bit tired,” she admitted. “But it’s... okay.”

I nodded, understanding. “My pack members are beginning to like you, you know.”

“Maybe,” she said, her gaze focusing on the fire. “It’s just... a lot to take in.”

“I know,” I said gently. “But you’re doing great, you know. I'm impressed with how you relate with them.”

She turned to me, her eyes searching mine. “Why do you keep believing in me, Alpha? I find it hard to understand?”

“Beyond this fragile frame, I see who you are,” I said simply. “And I see who you can become.”

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she moved closer, resting her head on my shoulder.

For a moment, we sat in comfortable silence, as the fire cracked softly beside us.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?”

“For rescuing me. And making me feel like I belong.”

I placed a gentle kiss on her hair. “You do belong, Everly. You might not know it yet but this pack is yours as much as it's mine.”

She put her hand in mine and I could feel her body trembling. “Please,” she said “Don't raise my hopes for nothing. I don't think I can survive another rejection.”

Her vulnerability tugged at my heart. “You will never feel rejected in this pack. Not while I'm still living.”

Cough, cough.

I turned to see Seraphina, glaring at Everly.