Raised by an Alpha *Sample Only*

3

Liam's POV <3

Pain.

I wish I could say it was a mind numbing, but my mind is all to aware.

It reminds me of the time I fell out of the tree house. Jace wasn't fast enough to catch me, so I broke two ribs and my femur and Colton broke Jace's nose. I thought that was painful, but that was nothing compared to this.

This feels like my skin is being peeled off slowly as I'm set on fire.

Then hit by a train.

My body begins to shake uncontrollably and the sound of a tortured scream fills the room. I try to stop shaking, to push the pain away but it only gets worse. Impossibly worse.

There is a pressure building inside of my body, starting at my head and moving down towards my toes. It's like my skin is too tight.

The screaming in the room gets worse and I'd swear I can hear someone calling my name.

I feel a snapping somewhere deep inside, the pain bouncing around my body, like an echo in a cave. My chest tightens painfully and I realize that I haven't taken a breath in I don't know how long.

Another painful snapping somewhere near my legs, like it's been ripped away from my knee and I hear someone curse. The world is a blur, but I try so hard to see clearly. I just want to see Avery, she will tell me everything is okay.

I'm moving. I don't know how but I can feel the air rushing past me as more snaps happen. I am beginning to feel like I have turned into human bubble wrap.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

I'm scared.

Screams continue to echo as the air around me changes. It's colder now and the fresh smell of the woods invades my nose. I feel the cold ground set under me, the grass bending to my weight, but I still feel like I am trapped in an inferno being ripped into pieces. 

My body begins to twist and contort into positions I would have never thought possible. I feel like I might break any second. The pressure increasing, pushing against my skin. I'm surprised I haven't ripped open yet.

"Liam, let go."

Let go of what, Colton? I want to say, but all that comes out is another blood curdling scream. 

Just make it stop!  I beg to anyone, to anything.

I can feel the screams scratching at my raw throat as I try to breath. My body feels like it's ripping in a half. I can feel the pressure stretching my skin and the sickening sounds as it finally starts to unstitch.

Suddenly, like a balloon that pops when to much air is added, the pressure releases. I can still feel the pain, but it is more like I pulled a muscle rather than broke something.

I lay on the grass with my eyes closed, panting for air. My heart is racing and I can hear it echo all around me. I hear someone inhale a sharp breath.

"L-Liam?" Avery's voice is hesitant, almost scared and my heart breaks at the sound.

Avery has always been strong and never shows her fear.

"No Avery!" Colton says but it sounds like he shouted at her.

I'm okay, the pain is gone. Now I need to reassure Avery that I'm okay.

I roll onto my feet and my eyes meet hers. Everything is so clear, I can see the tears that are running down her cheeks.

I can even see the dried trail the tears leave in their wake. Colton's arms are tight around her middle and one of her arms is outstretched towards me.

It's okay, Aves.  I try to say but I am cut off by a wolf. I quickly look all around for the wolf that yipped but I don't see him. It's weird because I can see everything.

Rabbits scurry around a few feet away in the woods, and I can see the tracks they left behind. An owl flies over us and I can see his coloring perfectly, even in the darkness. What is going on?

I turn to look back at Avery, she'll know what happening. I must have been zoned out because we are no longer alone in the back yard.

Avery is now standing behind three of Colton's guards, all looking at me with a weary expression.

My gaze is pulled away to the two approaching wolves. They move slowly towards me, hesitance clear in each step.

I know these wolves, I have known them since I was a child; Colton and Jace.

My body tenses and suddenly I am on the defense facing both Colton and Jace. They both change their stance, ready to defend themselves if they have to.

I know somewhere inside that they won't hurt me and yet another part of me is growling?

Yes, growling. Something inside me is telling me that I'm in danger. That these two wolves who have never hurt me before are a threat.

Submit, Liam. I startle a little when I hear Colton's voice in my head.

His body straightens as he stands tall and proud looking down at me. His eyes alert and calculating as they stare into my own.

I take a few steps back, keeping my eyes on both of them. The growling in my head continues as I plant my paws firmly into the ground, getting ready to pounce.

Wait, Paws?  I glance down and sure enough, I have paws covered in a golden fur. I want to gasp, to scream, but all that happens is another growl.

SUBMIT!  Colton shouts again, his growl echoing through the trees. My knees give out beneath me. I unconsciously roll to my back showing my belly.

What's going on? Why do I have paws? Why am I on my back?  My mind races with questions as I stare wide eyed past everyone at a shell shocked Avery. I can see her looking at me, but I know that her mind is far away.

She can't believe what she is seeing either.

Liam. Do you accept me as your Alpha?  Colton looks at me intently as his voice sounds in my head.

Of course he's the Alpha, I've known that ever since I can remember. But I've never had to accept him as so.

I try to speak, but it's a yip. Dammit! How am I supposed to answer?!

Liam, we can hear you, just as you can hear us. I look to Jace as his big wolf head nods up and down as if confirming what Colton just said.

I roll onto my feet - erm paws, my heart racing as I try to absorb everything in. I am a wolf. But that's not right, I'm human? What the hell happened?

Do you accept me as your Alpha or are you challenging me to a fight?  Colton sounds angry and the fur on the back of his neck is standing up.

I accept.  Is that what I am supposed to say?

I'm scared. I'm comfused and I just shifted into a wolf. My senses are driving me crazy from how strong they are. I can literally smell the salt from Avery's tears.

Shift! Colton shouts, but there is something ppwerful behind it.

Before I can point out that I don't know how, my body complies to the command.

It didn't hurt this time, but I am shaking as the events of everything catch up to me.

And I am naked.

Someone hands me a pair of basketball shorts and I slide them on quickly. Colton and Jace mirroring the action. I can feel their curious eyes lingering on me but I don't care. I keep my eyes on Avery.

So many different emotions cross her face as she looks at me. Love, Confusion but worst of all Fear.

Whether fear for me or of me, I don't know but either way it feels like a knife to my heart.

Fresh tears fall from her eyes and her mouth opens and closes like she is still trying to process what is happening.

I move towards her wanting to hug her. But she takes a step back, watching me cautiously like I am a wild animal.

I guess I technically am.