Forrest POV
Forrest stood in the clearing, his body vibrating with restless energy. His muscles twitched, his heart raced, his senses were on fire. He felt like he was going to explode, like his skin was too tight, his bones too small to contain the wild energy swirling inside him.
He couldn't stand still. His legs were trembling, his hands shaking. His fingers curled, his nails digging into his palms. He tried to take a deep breath, to steady himself, but his chest was tight, his lungs burning.
Fear clawed at his gut, sharp and relentless. He was always the quick one, the clever one, the one who could smile through anything. But this... this was different. This was terrifying.
He looked at his siblings, his chest tightening. Ash stood tall and tense, his jaw clenched, his fists curled. Ridge was pale, his eyes wide, his body rigid. Brooks was trembling, his shoulders hunched, his arms wrapped around himself. And Opal...
Opal looked small, fragile, her face twisted in pain, her eyes wide with fear. She looked at him, her gaze pleading, vulnerable. Forrest's heart broke. His little sister. She was always the brave one, the stubborn one. Seeing her scared was wrong. It hurt.
He wanted to go to her, to protect her, to make her laugh like he always did. But his legs wouldn't move. He was frozen, trapped.
His body was on fire, his skin burning, his muscles cramping. His bones ached, his joints throbbed. He felt like he was being pulled apart, like he was breaking.
His vision blurred, his head spinning. He heard himself gasp, his voice raw, broken. "I... can't breathe..."
His knees buckled, his body collapsing to the ground. His fingers dug into the dirt, his nails splitting, lengthening into claws. His spine arched, his muscles tearing, rebuilding. His limbs stretched, his body expanding.
Pain exploded through him, white-hot and blinding. His skin rippled, thick fur sprouting along his arms, his back, his legs. His chest expanded, his ribs cracking, his lungs burning. His face elongated, his jaw widening, his teeth sharpening into fangs.
His vision cleared, his senses exploding. He could hear everything—the rustling leaves, the whispering wind, the rapid, uneven breathing of his siblings. He could smell the earth, the moss, the flowers. He could feel the pulse of the forest, the heartbeat of the night.
He looked down and felt a jolt of shock. His hands were gone, replaced by powerful, sleek paws. His body was covered in golden fur, bright and vibrant, shimmering under the moonlight. He was lean, agile, muscular. He was no longer human.
He was... a wolf.
Forrest's heart raced, his chest heaving. He felt alive, powerful, unstoppable. His body thrummed with energy, wild and electric. He felt fast, light, free.
Forrest.
The voice was playful, light, and musical, echoing inside his mind. It was warm and familiar, yet ancient and powerful.
Forrest's ears flicked, his body tensing. Who... who are you?
A soft laugh filled his head, a sound like wind rustling through leaves. I am you. And you are me. I am your wolf. Your spirit. Your spark. We are one.
Forrest's heart skipped a beat. My wolf...
Yes, the voice affirmed, its tone playful and affectionate. I am Ember. I have always been here, waiting for you. Waiting for us to run wild and free.
Ember... The name resonated within him, warm and bright, like firelight. It felt perfect, true.
You are quick, Forrest, Ember continued, her voice shimmering with excitement. You are the light. The spark. The one who makes them laugh. The one who gives them hope. The one who never gives up.
Forrest's chest tightened. But... I was scared. I couldn't protect them. I couldn't make them laugh. I... I was weak.
No, Ember said firmly, her voice steady and strong. You were never weak. You were scared. But even through your fear, you fought. You stood by them. You gave them hope. You are their light. Their fire. The spark that keeps them moving forward.
A warmth spread through Forrest, steadying him, grounding him. Their spark...
Yes, Ember whispered, her voice bright and fierce. You are the flame that never goes out. The light that chases away the darkness. The laughter that heals their hearts. Without you, they would lose hope. Without you, they would fall apart.
Forrest felt tears prick his eyes, his chest tightening. I... I love them. I love them so much. I don't want to lose them.
You won't, Ember promised, her voice soft and affectionate. Because you are the light that guides them. The fire that keeps them warm. You are the one who protects them with joy, who fights with laughter. You are the spark that keeps them alive.
Forrest looked at his siblings, his heart swelling with love. They were no longer human, but he knew them, recognized them instinctively. Ash was powerful and strong, his fur black as night, his eyes fierce and protective. Ridge was bold and unwavering, his rich brown coat solid and grounding. Brooks was elegant and calm, his smoky gray fur soft and graceful.
And then there was Opal.
Forrest's breath caught. She was beautiful, mesmerizing. Her fur shimmered like an opal stone, shifting colors with every movement—white, silver, blue, pink, gold. It was magical, ethereal. She stood tall, strong, her body sleek and muscular. She was no longer small, no longer fragile. She was powerful.
Ember's voice softened, filled with awe. She is light. Hope. The heart of our pack. She is the bond that ties us together. The light that guides us home.
Forrest felt his chest tighten, his heart aching with love. She's... she's incredible.
Yes, Ember whispered, her voice warm and proud. She is light. And you... you are her spark. Her joy. The one who keeps her laughing, who chases away her fears. The one who fights for her with hope and courage.
Forrest felt a fierce protectiveness rise within him. I will always protect her. I will always protect all of them. I will never stop fighting for them.
I know, Ember said gently. Because you are the spark. The flame. The light that never goes out. You are Forrest. And you are Ember. We are one. And we are pack.
Forrest lifted his head, his golden eyes shining with purpose. He felt whole, complete.
Ridge POV
Chapter 28: Ridge's First Shift
Ridge stood in the clearing, his body stiff, his shoulders tense. The night air was cold, sharp, biting against his skin. His heart pounded, heavy and erratic, each beat echoing in his chest like a drum. His muscles were tight, his bones aching. It felt like something was crawling beneath his skin, restless, hungry, burning.
He was scared.
He wouldn't admit it, not out loud, but the fear was there, gnawing at his gut, twisting his insides. His brothers were around him, their faces pale, their eyes wide with fear. Even Ash looked shaken, his fists clenched, his jaw tight.
But it was Opal who made his chest tighten, his heart ache. She stood beside him, her arms wrapped around herself, her shoulders hunched. She looked so small, so fragile. Her face was twisted in pain, her eyes glistening with fear. She was trying to be brave, but Ridge could see through her mask. She was scared.
His little sister. His responsibility.
A surge of protectiveness flooded through him, fierce and relentless. He had to be strong, for her, for all of them. He was the shield, the wall that kept them safe. That was his role, his duty. He had always been the strongest, the toughest. He couldn't fall apart now.
But his body was betraying him. His muscles cramped, his bones throbbed. His skin felt too tight, his chest constricted, his breathing shallow. His heart raced, his pulse pounding in his ears. There was something inside him, something wild, desperate, clawing to get out.
His vision blurred, his head spinning. He felt dizzy, disoriented, like the ground was shifting beneath him. He tried to steady himself, but his legs felt weak, trembling.
Pain shot through his back, hot and searing. He gasped, his body doubling over. His fingers dug into the dirt, his nails splitting, lengthening into claws. His spine arched, his shoulders contorting, his muscles tearing, rebuilding.
He heard himself scream, his voice raw, primal, savage. It wasn't human. It was wild, feral, terrifying.
His body expanded, his limbs stretching, his bones cracking, reshaping. His skin rippled, thick fur sprouting along his arms, his back, his legs. His chest expanded, his ribs cracking, his lungs burning. His face elongated, his jaw widening, his teeth sharpening into fangs.
His vision cleared, his senses exploding. He could hear everything—the rustling leaves, the whispering wind, the rapid, uneven breathing of his siblings. He could smell the earth, the moss, the flowers. He could feel the pulse of the forest, the heartbeat of the night.
His heart raced, wild and erratic, his body thrumming with power, with strength. He looked down and saw massive paws, powerful and muscular. His body was covered in thick, rich brown fur, earthy and solid, blending perfectly with the forest floor. He was huge, powerful, unbreakable. He was no longer human.
He was a wolf.
Ridge.
The voice was deep, steady, unyielding. It echoed inside his mind, strong and firm. It was ancient, powerful, familiar.
Ridge's body tensed, his ears flicking. Who... who are you?
A low growl filled his head, a sound like thunder. I am you. And you are me. I am your wolf. Your strength. Your shield. We are one.
Ridge's chest tightened. My wolf...
Yes, the voice affirmed, his tone steady and unwavering. I am Stone. I have always been here, waiting for you. Waiting for us to become whole.
Stone... The name resonated within him, solid and strong. It felt ancient, powerful, true.
You are strong, Ridge, Stone continued, his voice a steady rumble. Stronger than all of them. You are the shield. The wall that stands between them and danger. The strength that protects them. The rock that holds them steady.
Ridge's chest tightened. But... I was scared. I couldn't protect them. I couldn't stop this. I... I was weak.
No, Stone said firmly, his voice unyielding. You were never weak. You were scared. But even through your fear, you stood your ground. You fought. You are the wall that doesn't break. The shield that never falls. You are their strength. Their protector.
A warmth spread through Ridge, steadying him, grounding him. Their shield...
Yes, Stone whispered, his voice strong and resolute. You are the strength that holds them together. The rock they lean on. The wall that keeps them safe. Without you, they would fall apart. Without you, they would be lost.
Ridge felt tears prick his eyes, his chest tightening. I... I love them. I don't want to lose them. I don't want to be weak. I... I need to protect them.
And you will, Stone promised, his voice firm and unbreakable. Because you are the shield. The wall. The rock that stands between them and the world. You are the strength that protects them, the courage that fights for them. You are their guardian. Their warrior. Their shield.
Ridge looked at his siblings, his heart swelling with love. They were no longer human, but he knew them, recognized them instinctively. Ash was powerful and strong, his fur black as night, his eyes fierce and protective. Forrest was agile and quick, his golden fur bright and playful. Brooks was elegant and calm, his smoky gray fur soft and graceful.
And then there was Opal.
Ridge's breath caught. She was beautiful, mesmerizing. Her fur shimmered like an opal stone, shifting colors with every movement—white, silver, blue, pink, gold. It was magical, ethereal. She stood tall, strong, her body sleek and muscular. She was no longer small, no longer fragile. She was powerful.
Stone's voice softened, filled with awe. She is light. Hope. The heart of our pack. She is the bond that ties us together. The light that guides us home.
Ridge felt his chest tighten, his heart aching with love. She's... she's incredible.
Yes, Stone whispered, his voice warm and proud. She is light. And you... you are her shield. Her wall. The one who stands between her and danger. The one who fights for her, who protects her. The one who never falls.
Ridge felt a fierce protectiveness rise within him. I will always protect her. I will always protect all of them. I will never fall. I will never break.
I know, Stone said gently. Because you are the shield. The wall. The rock that stands between them and danger. You are Ridge. And you are Stone. We are one. And we are pack.
Ridge lifted his head, his amber eyes shining with purpose. He felt whole, complete.