The Young Mate

Chapter 34

Lila

Today Jane turns 16. She gets to change and meet her wolf for the first time tonight. The sad thing is, is that I couldn't get off work so I was gonna be late. I was lucky enough to get a job in town so I wouldn't have to drive too far. I work at Chick-Fil-A and I love work. I like being busy.

Jane thinks I'm insane. Landon has offered to give me money and offered to pay for everything I wanted or needed. But I'd much rather have the reward of paying with something with money I made myself than just have everything handed to me.

"Hey get the customer's coming in Lila." My manager Becka called from the drive thru. "Georgey called in again." I rolled my eyes and walked up. Georgey has called in his last three shifts. I'm glad that it's not busy in the lobby. Then I saw who was here.

"Ah my favorite customers." I smiled at Landon, Jane, and Henry. Henry is a story I will tell in a little bit.

"I'm starving." Jane complained leaning on the counter. Apparently the day of transition you eat your weight in food and then do it again.

"Well maybe you could get something to eat." I said sarcastically. She gave me a look that would make anybody else run for the hills. "The usual?" All nodded except Henry.

"And what do you want Henny?" He rubbed his chin.

"I want the same thing I always get." I gave him a dead look. "But I want a large not a medium." I rolled my eyes as I typed everything in. They went and sat down and I took my break so I could eat with them.

"What time do you get off?" Jane asked anxiously.

"11. I have to help Becka needs help closing because Georgey called in again." Landon huffed and crossed his arms.

"Thats 6 hours from now." He checked his watch.

"Ugh. I know. Don't remind me." I put my head on my folded arms. Landon rubbed my back making sparks roam around my body. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I hate when people call in.

"Hey at least you can get more money." Henny pointed out excitedly. Okay so the story behind Henry aka Henny. Jane and I had went to our first house party which was a back to school party. Long story short Henry is a senior. He became popular because he chugged a whole bottle of Hennessy. We, being good people, took him home because he was trashed. From then in he was Henny Johnson.

"Yeah whatever." I went back and got their food and got back to work when the flow of people came in. It's going to be an interesting night.

-_-

After a long night and getting off work late I was speeding home. I had only a few minutes before she shifted. I got there in time thanks to going 95 mph. I pulled up haphazardly in front of the house and ran around back where a small group of people stood. I heard het screaming so I knew she was still human.

"Where have you been?!" Landon grabbed my arm and pulled me to the middle where Jane was.

"Becka wouldn't let me go until I had cleaned the whole place." I zipped my jacket up as the chilly October wind blew. Janes body was covered in sweat and her bones were breaking and moving into different positions. "You can do it, Janie. It's almost over." I encouraged. Her head snapped up to look at me. Her eyes were the brightest blue I've ever seen.

Her face started to elongate and her teeth sharpen. She screamed again but this time it was like a howl. The sound of her spine cracking filled the air. Her back legs kicked out as they started to bend in a different direction. Hair sprouted all over her as what clothes she had on ripped. Her body got larger and larger until there was a wolf in her place.

"Hey there." Landon said with a smile. The she-wolf looked around and crouched down slowly.

Hello?, I heard a soft female voice in my head.
What's your name?, I asked her.
Carly., Her voice did not waiver. It stayed the same soft tone. I van tell her and Jane are very different.

Very suddenly Carly was right in front of me. She tried to hide her  face under me. I couldn't but help at this large wolf trying to hide behind my small frame. She laid her large body on the ground with a thump and covered her eyes with her paws. They had to be the same size as 2/3 of my forearm. Oliver is twice the size.

"I think she takes to you because your soulsisters with Lila." Landon came up behind me to look over my shoulder to see Carly.

"Maybe so. I think now that she has a more gentle wolf she'll calm down a bit." He nodded. Then I noticed the small group of people that gathered, now taking their clothes off.

"The pack celebrates new wolves by going on a pack run. Everyone shifts and goes together. And I get the honor of escorting you." Before I could tell what was going on Oliver's gigantic form was in front of me. He let out a loud howl that made mr cover my ears.

Then the doors of the buildings opened and people fled out. Naked. I will never get used to that. All able bodied wolves shifted and gathered where we were standing.

Go inside quickly and change. I give about a five minute speech before the run so be out by then., Oliver's voice came suddenly.

I nodded and sprinted into the house. I ran up the stairs while stripping my clothes. I put on a pair of long johns and thick jeans over it. Then I layered two long sleeve shirts, a jacket, a sweatshirt, and a coat. Next was fuzzy socks, regular socks, and then just a pair of old converse. It was about 20 outside and it will be colder on his back. I raced back down the stairs where they were waiting.

Make sure you hold on tight, Oliver grinned and bowed in front of me. There were wolfish grunts from all around me. An alpha never bows to anyone. This should be considered an honor., He said proudly. I rolled my eyes and climbed on him the best I could. He stood suddenly almost making me fall off. He turned his head, staring at me to make sure I'm okay.

"Let's go mate." I whispered gripping the nape of his neck. Before I knew it he took off into the woods. The wind bit at my face. Tree's went by so quickly they were just a blur. The only thing I heard was paws hitting the ground and different howls. I tried to keep my head down but the adrenaline was too great. I gripped his side the best I could with my legs and let go of his neck. I straightened my back and raised my arms like I was riding a rollercoaster.

I looked to the right and saw Carly trying to keep up with Oliver's long strides. Her head turned to me and she gave me a wolfy grin. They ran all night in celebration of the new wolf. When the sun came up we went back the house where piles of food were waiting. I think that's what feeling alive is like.