life as a shapeshifter Remastered (book 1)

Exposed

As I wake up, I'm once again enveloped in the dark void. 'Not this again,' I mutter, my mind already bracing for the familiar torment.

"Hello again, James," the familiar voice that has haunted my dreams echoes in the void.

"No, I don't want to deal with this. Shut up," I say

"You ignored my warning, and now, James, your friends are aware of your deepest secret," the entity's voice echoes ominously.

"What on earth are you talking about?" I manage to stammer, my voice trembling with disbelief.

"Why don't you find out?" the entity's voice suggests, its tone shifting from ominous to almost playful, leaving me with more questions than answers.

The figure rushes me again, and I wake up. "Jesus, not that nightmare again," I think to myself

I get off the couch and see everyone backing away from me. "Wait, you look oddly familiar," Tommy says

"Well, duh, you saw me last night," I retort

"I'm not crazy. Did that wolf just talk," Tommy says

"Wait, James, is that you?" Jack says, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity, mirroring the audience's feelings.

"Yes, it is. I guess it's time I tell you guys everything," I say

"Wait, I recognize you. You're the wolf that saved me two years ago," Tommy says

"Yeah, that was me. I wasn't sure I would see you again after that," I say

"Well, I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for saving my life," Tommy says, his voice filled with sincere appreciation.

"That aside, why are you a wolf? What happened to you?" Jack says

"Remember five years ago when you heard that explosion," I say

"Wait, are you saying your father did this to you?" Jack says

"Yes, he did," I say

"So, are you stuck like that forever?" Jack says

"No, I'm not. Watch this," I say. In a dazzling display of light, I'm back in human form, the blue glow fading away.

"Woah, what did you just do? Better question: what are you?" Jack says

"I'm a shapeshifter," I say

"What even is that?" Jack says

"I can turn into any animal I want to," I say

"That sounds so awesome," Jack says

"Trust me, it isn't. I can only stay human for a few hours, and my hearing is more sensitive, which is a bad thing sometimes. It's a constant struggle to control my transformations," I say, my voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

"I didn't know it was like that," Jack says

"It's okay. At least I told someone about it, and it's a monumental weight off my shoulders," I say, my voice filled with a newfound sense of relief.

"I wish you told me earlier, though," Jack says

"I'm sorry. I didn't know how you would react, so that's why I kept this hidden from you," I say

"Hey, it's fine. We're still best friends no matter what," Jack says, his voice filled with unwavering support, reassuring me and the audience of our unbreakable bond.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," I say

"It's no problem. That's what friends are for," Jack says

"Anyway, I need to get going," I say

"Yeah, of course. Catch you later, dude," Jack says

"It was nice meeting you," Lewis says

"I just want to thank you again for saving my life. I don't think I would be here without you," Tommy says

"It's no problem at all. Bye, guys," I say, leaving the house.

When I'm outside, I get a text from my mom: "James, can you get home as soon as possible?"

"Yeah, of course I'll be back soon," I text

I head back home and arrive a few minutes later. When I head inside, I see my mom sitting in the living room. "James, hey, how was the sleepover?" Molly says

"It was nice anyway. What did you want me home for?" I say

"Your cousins want us to come visit later today, so get yourself ready," Molly says

"Alright, sure," I say. I head to my room, and I start looking through my dressers to find something to wear

My mom enters my room and takes out a polo and jeans. "how about you wear these?" Molly says

"Uh, no, they remind me of Dad, and I don't want to be reminded of him," I say

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were still affected by that," Molly says

"It's fine, and I'll just wear these," I say, pulling out a shirt with a dragon on it and shorts.

"Really, you're gonna wear that's fine, whatever you want to do," Molly says

"Thank you," I say

"Well, just get ready. I'll be in the car," Molly says, leaving my room.

I put the clothes on, and I head outside, and I get in my mom's car. "alright, let's just go," I say

My mom starts driving to my family's house, and I'm dreading it.

(A/N The next chapter will be an intermission chapter that will give some story about when James saves Tommy. Anyway, I'll see you guys in the following author note)