Shift

Surprise

Chris taught Stacey to shift on command. After the initial shift, her body welcomed the change. The pain was brief, because her shift was fast. She learned to love being a wolf, running, chasing, hunting, and playing.

Her human side was happy, too. Out here in their woods, there were no lost souls for her to guide, no drama, just a small community of supernaturals that she was learning to love.

The first trip to "Main Street" happened the day after Stacey's first shift. Chris decided it was time for her to meet the community, now that she wasn't in danger of shifting at any moment.

They bundled up in coats and scarves and hats, and chris drove her down a dirt road she hadn't yet come across. They parked by a huge oak tree, and she noticed three other cars and four bicycles.

They wandered down a little hiking trail and suddenly there was a clearing.

Booths lined either side of the little square.

Chris led Stacey by the hand to check everything out. She stopped at the first booth, hands running along a table filled with different stones and crystals, coals of oils, and different kinds of herbs.

"For shamans," he told her.

She smiled and introduced herself to the shaman working the booth.

"You're Stacey?" She asked, grinning.

"Yes..."

"I'm Chris's Aunt Lindsay. I've heard lots about you from his mom."

She felt her cheeks flush. "Good things, I hope?"

Chris sighed.

"Of course. She's as in love with you as her son is."

"And that's my cute to leave," chris interjected. "See you later, aunt Lindsay."

Stacey smiled warmly as they wandered around, looking at the physical fitness booth, a few booths selling handmade clothes and potions, a vegetable stand, and a booth that sold coffee.

Stacey bought a cup and followed chris back to the car, a smile still on her face.

"That was amazing," she gushed.

Everyone had been so welcoming and kind. they were really a community that looked out for one another. And they all loved Chris. So many old women had talked about watching him grow up, and everyone had inspected her carefully, having heard about her from Chris's mom. She felt incredibly special.

"I knew you would like it."

She laced her fingers through his when they climbed out of the car.

They headed inside, and Stacey started boiling the water for pasta while chris got a fire going in the living room. He joined her with a bottle of wine he'd picked up at Main Street, and they drank and cooked together.

She sat down at the table, laughing because Chris had dropped his plate on the ground, and a knock sounded at the door.

They both stiffened.

"Chris," she whispered.

"I don't know who that is, Stacey. I don't recognize the scent."

She quietly put down her fork and fought to settle her wildly beating heart. He moved to the door, slowly, quietly, tense.
He looked through the peep hole.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," he groaned.

She hurried to his side as he swung the door open, and she gasped as she came face to face with Jess and Erik.