The Gamma's Daughter - Secrets Revealed

tWo

I happily took my new Bronco for a ride. I took her deep into the forest and through some rough terrain, testing her out. She did a fantastic job. I am so in love with her. While driving back to civilization, I felt a sharp pain shoot up my spine. Oh shit, I forgot. I slammed on my brakes and turned her off. I jumped out and went around to the back. I can't believe I forgot I have my first shift today.

I got undressed and put my clothes and shoes in the back of my Branco. Usually, the parents are there to help the new shifter. When the parents can't be there, then the alpha or another adult will help the new shifter through the process. I linked Mr. Rivers, but I don't think he will make it in time. Another pain shot through my spine, causing me to fall to my hands and knees. It felt like my skin was on fire. Another pain shot through my back, forcing a scream to erupt from within me. I felt my bones start to snap one by one. Oh God, I don't think I will make it through this.

"Calm down, Izzy; you're going to be ok. Just breathe," a deep voice said beside me. I tried to take a deep breath, but it hurt worst when I did. Suddenly my skin felt like it was getting ripped from my body as my bones broke. I let out another agonizing scream. "Just breathe, Izzy, you got this. You're almost done," the voice said.

I felt my bones rearranging. I looked at my arm and saw fur coming through my skin. "How is she?" I heard another deep voice. "She is almost done," the first voice said. "Izzy, it's me, Drew. Dad's here too," the second voice, who I now know, is Drew, said. Has Dad been the one helping me? Why are they here?

It felt like I was shifting forever. Finally, I felt a pain in my head. I tried to scream, but a howl came out instead. "Izzy, your wolf is beautiful," Dad said as he pet my muzzle. "Do you want to see yourself?" Drew asked. I nodded my head. Drew pulled out his phone. He took a picture and then turned it for me to see.

I looked at the picture in amazement. I was looking at a picture of the most beautiful wolf I've ever seen. She is solid black except for a white mask across her eyes. Beautiful, I thought to myself. "Thank you. I'm your wolf, Ravyn," a beautiful voice linked me. "Hi, Ravyn. It's nice to meet you finally, and you are very beautiful," I replied.

"Izzy, can you introduce us to your wolf?" Dad linked me. "Hello, Father; I am Ravyn. It's nice to meet you," Ravyn replied. "It's nice to meet you too, Ravyn," Dad replied. "Hello, Ravyn. I'm Drew," Drew introduced himself. "It's nice to meet you, brother. Thank you both for being here for Izzy," she linked them. "It was our pleasure. Alpha linked me to let me know, so I ran straight here. I'm so glad I made it in time and could be here for her," Dad said proudly. "Dad linked me, and I came as fast as possible," Drew smiled.

"Why have you both ignored Izzy? She has been alone since she was 7. Do you think that was right?" Ravyn asked. Dad and Drew both put their heads down in shame. "Izzy, I'm so sorry. I know I should have been there for you, but I was lost and depressed. Losing my mate broke something inside of me. I couldn't function. I was lost, and I am ashamed of myself, and I know your mother is ashamed of me. If Alpha Lewis hadn't come and dragged my ass out of the house when Drew shifted, I'd still be a mess. I realized then that my kids needed me. For a year, I've tried to show you I've changed. I have been working every day. I've been cleaning the house and cooking. You are never home. I can't seem to catch you to talk to you. When I get home from work, you're never home. I try to wait up for you, but I always fall asleep. Hunny, I'm so sorry. I hope you can forgive me someday," Dad said as he wiped the tears from his face.

He has been leaving food and notes on the table for me. I just never thought about it. I just kept to my daily routine. Dad has been trying to reach out to me, and I just ignored him like I have everyone else.

"Izzy, I'm a shitty brother; I know that. I isolated myself from everyone, not just you. The only people I talk to are Harrison and Aidan. I didn't want to feel anything. If I allowed myself to acknowledge you, then I had to acknowledge the fact that Mom was gone; then, the older I got, I would have to acknowledge how I was failing you. I liked just staying in my own little bubble and not acknowledging anything. I'm so sorry for doing that. After Dad was there for my shift, I realized how much I missed and needed my family. I tried talking to you at school, but you just kept walking away. I tried to find you after school, but you were always gone. I felt terrible because I didn't even know where to begin to look for you," Drew cried.

I do remember Drew approaching me every day. I just kept my earbuds in and kept walking. I built this wall because I lost my family. That very same wall has been keeping my family out for the past year. I was so used to being alone I didn't stop to think maybe Drew wanted to talk to me. I'm so stupid.

"Turn around," I linked them. They turned around. "Ravyn, how do I shift back?" I asked. "Just picture yourself standing there," she replied. I envisioned myself standing in my human form. I felt my bones start to rearrange. My skin tingled from the fur retracting back into it. In seconds I was standing there butt-ass naked. I got my clothes from the back of the Bronco and got dressed.

"I'm done," I notified them. They both turned to look at me. "Beautiful," Dad whispered. "What is?" I asked. Drew pulled out his phone and took another picture. He turned it for me to see. The picture I was looking at was me, except now I have a white streak in my hair. "What the hell?" I asked. "It's a family thing. I also have a white streak, and so does Drew. We just keep our heads shaved so you can't tell," Dad stated. "Why do you shave your hair? Are you ashamed of your white hair?" I asked. "Not at all. I have just always kept my head shaved. I'm too lazy to fuck with it," Drew stated with a smile. "Me too," Dad laughed.

The three of us just stood there. Dad and Drew looked at me with sadness and shame in their eyes. "Listen, guys, I forgive you. I can't be mad at you guys for doing the exact same thing I did. I cut everyone out of my life. There is only two people I talk to myself, Alpha Lewis and Mr. Rivers, my boss. I wouldn't let anyone in. I was keeping myself from ever getting hurt again, and I'm sorry," I cried. Dad and Drew hugged me so tight. "Well, aren't we just a mess? We all dealt with the loss of Mom the same way. We pushed each other away so we couldn't get hurt again, but all we did was hurt ourselves more," Dad cried. "I missed you guys," I cried as I snuggled closer into them.

"Wanna go for a run?" Drew asked. "Fuck yes," Ravyn shouted in my head. "Ravyn said fuck yes," I laughed. The three of us went behind trees and shifted. I watched as two black wolves walked out from behind the trees. "Ravyn, I'm Drew's wolf Atlas." the wolf on the right said. Atlas is all black except for a white streak that runs down from the top of his head, between his ears, between his eyes, and to the tip of his nose. "I'm Cato, your dad's wolf," the wolf on the right said. Cato is solid black, except for a white streak that runs from his head down over his left eye to his muzzle. "It's nice to meet you both," Ravyn said happily.

All three wolves took off running. It felt great being with my family again. I missed them so much. I feel complete, whole. It's unbelievable because I haven't felt this way in a long time. We are still missing an essential piece, but she is with us; I know she is.