I took a deep breath and glared at my dad, who was standing proudly behind me with a smirk on his face.
I so badly wanted to punch that smirk off his face, but was interrupted by him clearing his throat. I rolled my eyes, and I heard a low growl rumble in his throat.
"Fine," I blurted out rudely. How dare he put me on the spot like this. He was going to pay.
I nodded my head, acknowledging everyone I hadn't greeted earlier. Everyone sitting up straight and raising their heads as I spoke."Two nights ago, I shifted into a wolf for the first time," I felt everyone's eyes in the room widen as they took in my words. Mrs Rhodes had already known, so she didn't show much surprise on her face.
I looked Tiffany straight in the eyes, and she nodded, approving my decision. "When I shifted, I knew it was just a matter of time before Tiffany and Taylor did," I stopped and looked at Macy. She look shocked, confused and hurt, like WE kept this secret from her. 'We'd never do this to you Mace..' I thought.
'I know' she replied.
Somehow, even out of wolf form - we could still communicate telepathically.
'We love you,' Tiffany chimed in.
A low rumble filled the air, as Taylor quietly giggled, bringing me back to reality.
"I went out for a run yesterday to clear my head, and only realised that Tiff would shift too once I got home and showered. I ran out the house and reached your house around midnight." I said gesturing towards Mr and Mrs Rhodes. My dad growled full out and didn't bother keeping it in this time.
I ignored him and continued, "By the time I got there, Tiffany had already took off into the forest. I ran after her, and when I caught up to her I explained as much as I knew to her." Mrs Rhodes had disappointment and appreciation written across her face. Mr Rhodes was still looking down and he sighed absent mindedly.
"After calming her down, we set off to find Taylor." I said looking down. I took a deep breath and remembered how upset he was, and it ripped a whole through me. 'If only I had been there earlier' I snarled, 'it's okay,' Taylor tuned in, 'you helped me, thank you'. His tone was calm and thankful.
I looked up at him and he nodded, and his million dollar smile spread across his mouth.
"I was also too late to catch him before he ran. I tracked down his scent quite easily and Tiffany followed. If it wasn't for her.." I said my voice getting lighter and fading into a whisper, " I don't know what would've happened." I trailed off..
I took a deep breath and straightened my posture. "We made our way back home, and here we are.." I trailed off, taking a step back. I gestured with my hand for my dad to take my place.
He folded his arms across his chest and seriousness replaced the look of interest on his face.
"Macy hasn't shifted yet, but the shifting of their Alpha has triggered their's." He announced, gesturing towards Tiff, Taylor and Macy. Macy's eyes widen and she look afraid, 'I won't leave you alone.' I said, 'thank you..' She sounded scared.
"Jennifer," my dad was looking straight at me. "I'll be there," I cut him off "No-on deserves to go through it alone." I said bluntly. Shivering as the memory of fear and isolation crept up in my mind. My dads face fell, and it no longer resembled seriousness - but regret.
"Mace?" I asked curiously. "Yeah," she spoke for the first time, her voice shaky. "Let's see your wrist?" I motioned to her, showing her mind. She held it out, but it looked nothing like mine. It resembled my mom and dads.
I looked over at Taylor and Tiffany, and they held their's out at me. The same. Except that they each had their mates names etched around the edge of the moon - just like my parents.
