Temperance

The ground feels icy and hard, blanketed by a fresh layer of snow. My mother and Talia gently lower me onto it, just as my left femur snaps out of place with a jarring violence.

“This seems so much more painful than for the boys—”

A cry escapes my lips as my arm follows suit, the bones cracking and popping in a way that makes my stomach roil. I can feel my muscles tearing away from my body, expanding at a rapid pace.

“I’ve never seen a late shift so…brutal before.” Walker’s voice is so soft I can barely hear it. I growl in response, my teeth lengthening into sharp canines.

“No one in the wolf world has ever shifted at such a late age, at least not to my knowledge.” My father stands with his arms crossed and legs spread, my mother and best friend taking shelter behind him.

Shifting is a violent process for pack members—for the one shifting and those around them.

While larger packs have the safety of numbers, our smaller pack isn’t so fortunate.

Wolves must shift quickly, ready to defend their new existence at all costs. It will take a moment for my wolf to recognize her family.

“Thank goodness it’s only one this time.” My mother exhales in relief. “The boys shifted at the same time with only Darius there.”

Darius is my father’s name. My mother’s name is Aspen.

I don’t know the name of my father’s wolf, as he never acknowledged me as his child like most wolves with human offspring do. I think that’s why it was so hard for him to accept my human side.

My spine reshapes into a longer, stronger form, forcing me onto my hands and knees as my hands stretch and morph into misshapen paws.

It’s like a scene from a horror movie, my skin sprouting small tufts of fur.

“Temperance, just a little longer,” Talia encourages me, doing her best to offer support.

“I swear if it’s like this every time, I’m never shifting again.” I grunt as my breakfast makes a reappearance on the grass in front of me.

“Nah!” Talia laughs. “It’s like losing your v-card! You get used to it after the first time.”

Everyone looks at my best friend uncomfortably before my feet bend and break. The force of my skin tearing with the breakage makes me scream out in pain.

“Shit!” I cry. “Fucking hell!”

My onlookers snicker at my pain, which turns my pain into anger. What’s so funny about this? They all got to experience this while being mentally prepared! I was just a normal human this morning!

Timber…

That word echoes in my head before my whole body cracks one final time. My vision blurs before refocusing on the ground.

It’s a strange sensation. I’m here, but I’m also not. It’s as if I’m just a presence in someone else’s mind.

I shake myself out and stretch. My jaw aches as I yawn and lick my lips. I flick my tail and left ear.

Looking down, I notice my large paws and huge snout. My fur is mostly a burnt red with white patches on my chest and what I can see of my snout.

“Wow,” someone breathes. “A red coat.”

My head turns to see everyone staring at me—or rather, up at me. I’m much taller than all of them. My paws and paws squish the ground under my massive frame.

I growl at them. The fur on the back of my neck bristles as I snarl and adopt a defensive stance. The urge to protect myself has never been stronger.

“Temperance,” my father says, “this is your family.”

Family or not, I’m not letting my guard down.

My father steps closer, his hands slightly outstretched, his feet lightly stepping on the ground so as not to startle me. The other three stay behind. Walker guards his mate and my mother.

“You know we won’t hurt you.” My father steps forward again. “I know it’s overwhelming, but I promise, I’m here.”

His scent tickles my nose. Bourbon and old man’s soap is what I catch. The gleam from his balding head is almost too much for me to bear so I close my eyes. I can hear his breathing and the slight rhythm of his heartbeat.

The grass under my paws feels warmer than I remember. I freeze when a pair of large, warm hands wrap around my snout and draw me in slowly. I know these hands; they belong to my father.

I could almost purr as I lie down and rest my head on his chest.

“She’s good!” My father wheezes. “And she’s heavy…”

I open my eyes to realize I’ve accidentally knocked my dad over. My entire head is almost the length of his body. I’m quick to get up and fall over again as I lose my balance.

“Still quirky and clumsy too.” Talia giggles as she pets my head. Walker lingers in the background. We share a look of understanding before my mother pushes her way in to inspect me.

“Red fur!” she squeals, hurting my ears. “Just like your mother, Darius.”

My father dusts himself off and gives me an approving smile.

***

“Hey, you’re gonna be late for the rehears…al.” My brothers stumble in from outside through the backdoor and stare at me. “What did we miss?”

“That was…a lot.” I groan as I stretch my arms and legs out.

“It always is your first time.” Talia hugs me. “And you said the name of your wolf was…”

I laugh. “I haven’t told you all yet. I don’t even know how to find it out.”

“Ah, well, what was the word that echoed in your mind right before your shift, hon?” My mother smiles as she sets a cup of hot chocolate in front of me. “Your father told me that’s how it works.”

We’re still outside. It’s gotten dark now with the moon just starting to rise over the tree line.

Usually, I’d have a blanket or something to keep me warm, but not tonight. The whole warm-werewolf thing is true.

I managed to slip into leggings and a shirt before my dad and brothers headed out to inform the Alpha about my recent shift. They were going to let him know to expect me tomorrow.

As the newest wolf in the pack, it was my duty to introduce my wolf to the Alpha and his mate. It was a formal acknowledgment I wasn’t exactly thrilled about, but it was necessary unless I wanted to be labeled a rogue.

“Her name is Timber,” I say, taking a sip of my drink. “Like a timber wolf.”

“That’s...different.” Talia takes a sip of her coffee, raising an eyebrow. “I’m sure she and my Taylin will get along just fine.”

“Wilson seems to like her,” Walker chimes in. Talia shoots him a look, and he clams up.

“Talia, he’s just messing around,” I reassure my best friend. “You know how he is.”

Talia gives me a once-over before standing up. “We should get going, Temperance. We’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Before I can respond, Talia and Walker are out the door. Talia’s coffee is barely touched, and my mom looks as surprised as I feel.

“I’m sure it’s just a wolf thing,” my mom says, patting my hand. “I wouldn’t want your father talking about a newly shifted female like that either.”

“Mom, we’re best friends,” I say, pulling my cup closer to my chest. “She knows I wouldn’t do anything to risk our friendship. Plus, Walker is like the annoying brother I have to put up with because of her.”

“Well, once you find a mate, I’m sure you’ll feel the same way,” my mom says, taking another sip of her hot chocolate.

I stare at her, wide-eyed. “Mate?”

“Of course! Now that you have a wolf, finding a mate is practically a sure thing.”

“I didn’t see that in the fine print,” I complain, sounding like a whiny kid. “I just wanted to be a normal human with a career in fashion design.”

“I know, sweetheart,” my mom sighs. “But once you find your mate, all that will change. You’ll do anything for them. I moved across the country for your father.”

“Mom, I don’t want that!” I throw my cup, and it shatters against the wall next to my mom’s favorite plant. I look at my hands in shock. When did I start getting so worked up over a simple conversation?

“So, that would be your animalistic temper,” my mom says, slowly sliding away from me on the bench. “Your father will help you get that under control.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears well up in my eyes and roll down my cheeks. “All of this is just...a lot.”

“I know, Temperance...” My mom sets her cup on the coffee table and sits next to me. I let her wrap her arms around me.

I feel something in my mind stir—a calming presence and a strong sense of understanding. My wolf is communicating with me in the only way she knows how, without actually being able to speak.

This calms me enough to stop crying and wipe my tears.

My mom smiles at me. “Timber is a perfect match for you, you know?”

“She’s only been here for less than two hours, Mom.” I giggle.

“Yes, but you’re an emotional person, my love.” My mom strokes my hair and kisses my forehead. “I’ve never seen you calm down from crying like that before.”

“I guess so.”

“Temperance, I know this is hard to accept,” my mom sighs, cradling my head in her shoulder. “But you’ll get through it.”

“I just don’t understand why I had to shift so late,” I sniffle. “I was so used to being human.”

“Oh, my sweet girl,” my mom hugs me close. “The most beautiful and rare flowers take their time to bloom. Your wolf is one of them, just like you are.”