His Flamed Luna

First Shift

     ~Ember's P.O.V.~

   I woke up in Thomas' arms, my body tingling happily as the bond was finalized. His mark on my neck lit up when my fingers brushed over it and I smiled to myself. His arms were wrapped around my waist in a possessive hold that made me feel safe and I relaxed against him. 
         "Thomas," I shook him gently when I saw the time.
         "Yeah?" He grunted, half asleep.
     I giggled at the response and sat up. "We have to get ready for the run this afternoon," I reminded him. "It's my first shift," I poked his side. 
          "Shit, you're right," He grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "We ought to eat and get ready then," His voice was deep and groggy but it still sent chills down my spine. 
          "Can I shower first?" 
           "Sure baby," Thomas looked at me with an adoring smile. 
        A smile spread across my own lips at the new nickname and I pecked his lips before climbing out of his bed and making my way to the bathroom. A rustle of movement behind me informed me that he was getting up as well. Zara was letting out small yips of happiness when I looked in the mirror and stared at the mating mark left on my neck. Moments later, while I was still in my trance, Thomas' strong arms wrapped around my waist and we locked eyes in the mirror. We both smiled and he turned to run the shower while I searched the cupboard for towels.

           "There you two are! Finally joining us for breakfast!" Alpha Ezekiel laughed as Thomas and I walked into the dining room. 
           "Our new Luna has arrived!" Audrey raised her glass of orange juice in a mock toast before she smiled at me warmly. 
        With the warm welcome I beamed and sat at the spot next to Thomas, where we both were served a decent sized plate of breakfast. I ate my portion hungrily, suddenly gaining more energy than I had the day prior. Zara was more restless than ever and I knew it was her who was giving me this boost. This afternoon was the pack run and my first ever shift, Zara was pacing with delight at the idea of finally being able to shift for our mate. 
              "So what's the trail looking like?" I asked Alpha Ezekiel before taking a swig of orange juice.
              "A forest route," He replied before clearing his throat at Audrey's annoyed glance. "Well, more accurately, we'll be running the midnight trail into the river near the edge of our territory."
          Zara let out a howl of delight and yet I felt a small stir of dread in my stomach. "That's a long way," I muttered, earning a soft smile from Audrey.
               "It'll feel like a short run when you shift, Ember, trust me," She passed me some more bacon. 
            I glanced nervously at Thomas who only nodded reassuringly. He took my hand and squeezed it gently before kissing my cheek. "Your wolf will be strong and beautiful, just like you," He murmured. "No matter what your wolf looks like."
            I nodded in response to his gentle words and squeezed his hand back before finishing my breakfast. After my plate was emptied I rinsed it and then left to allow Thomas and his parents to discuss the ceremony for their stepping down. 
                "Our mate loves us!" Zara bounced around in my mind and I smiled. 
                "And no matter how we look in a shift he will still stand beside us," I added quietly. 
             As I changed into my jean shorts and a blue baggy shirt, a knock sounded on the door. I heard my mother's voice chime through the door and I called back to let her know she could come in. She opened my door and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug that made my ribs creak. 
                "Mom!" I gasped for breath and laughed at her sudden need to crush me. "I haven't even shifted yet!"
                "But soon you will!" She beamed and my father stepped into the room. 
                "They're starting to call the pack together for the run," My father smiled sweetly. "Their new Luna can't be late!"
             I pulled on my shoes and jogged out of the house, meeting Thomas out front in a warm embrace. "It's almost time!"
             His green eyes were full of excitement as he looked down at me. "You'll be shifting soon enough, let's go."
             While Thomas and I hadn't mated, he still claimed me as his mate, which reassured me that no matter what I was safe with him. Even if my shift was defective, he'd stay beside me and fight for me as his Luna. The pack was gathered in the back of the packhouse near the tree line and I felt a spark of unease in my gut. Something was bound to go wrong. Thomas held my hand and I relaxed a bit, feeling a little more at ease with him beside me. 
                  "Silence!" Thomas boomed. "As your future Alpha I have announcement."
             The pack fell silent instantly and their eyes locked on Thomas and I. I swallowed nervously and glanced at him, keeping my composure. You need to look like a strong Luna. 
                  "As you all may have heard, Ember is your new Luna as she is my mate. She will be treated as such no matter what form her wolf takes. This is her first shift, she shall not be held accountable for any defects."
              They all nodded in agreement, his order strong and binding to them all. I felt my chest swell as he looked at me with adoring eyes and nodded. I released his hand and stepped forward before my packmates. Drawing in a deep breath I felt the first bone snap, pain making my body rigid, as I let the shift take over. I felt the tingles as Thomas stood by me and placed a hand on my shoulder. 
                   "Let the shift control you, it'll hurt less," He soothed me. "I promise you, no matter what your wolf looks like, I'll love you."
                Zara let out a purr of delight and I closed my eyes, my body engulfed in sharp pains. Zara howled as I finally let her take control and my body twisted agonizingly. I felt a burst of fiery heat course through my body as I landed on all fours, panting. 
                A scream made me jerk my head up to look around me in confusion. My mother and father were by the Alpha and Luna, all four of them staring at me with pure horror and shock. My heart dropped and I looked at Thomas in a panic, only to be met with furious and fearful green eyes.
                     "Monster!" Alpha Ezekiel bellowed, making me shrink against the ground. My pack mates all stared at me, their eyes wild and their throats shaking with snarls. 
                Thomas reached for me and I coward, staring into his eyes pleadingly. 
                      "You are not one of us!" Thomas exclaimed in disgust, glaring at me. 
                 I was beyond confused and scared, as was Zara who flinched at the growl from our mate. That's when it occurred to me that my fur gave off a glare. I looked at my paws. Red. Not even an auburn like some wolves had, I was a fiery red. That's not normal! When has there ever been a red wolf!? Thomas kept his green eyes trained on me, hatred clear in their emerald depths. My head swiveled to spot Karly staring at me in shock, no anger or disgust in her eyes, just shock. She looked worried and suddenly there was a pinch in my neck. 
                     "We'll continue the run!" Alpha Ezekiel's voice sounded faint as I slumped numbly to the ground. "Thomas, Blaze, take her to the dungeons."
                 Fear clawed at my heart along with dismay as I felt my father and my mate hoist me up and carry me, half conscious, into the packhouse. My head lolled with their steps as the world closed in around me.