Chapter 2 The shift

Ava's POV

"Ava... Ava, where is that stupid girl!" I heard Carla screaming.

I jumped out of bed and looked at the clock on the wall. It was just 3:00 a.m.

Before I could open the door, it flew open with a loud bang. Carla stood there, eyes full of rage.

"What are you doing still sleeping at this time?!" she screamed and slapped me hard across the face.

I stumbled back, holding my cheek, but I didn't say anything.

She slapped me again. "Answer me, you worthless girl!"

My throat burned, but I stayed silent.

"Do you even know what today is?" she yelled. "Why aren't you up cleaning the entire house? It's Orion's birthday!"

I swallowed hard. Of course, I knew. I had been dreading it for weeks.

"Get downstairs now," she snapped. "I want every corner spotless. The Alpha from the Moonclaw Pack is coming and if this house doesn't shine, I'll make sure you regret it."

I nodded quickly and rushed past her, down the narrow hallway.

The house was still dark, but I didn't need light. I knew every inch of this place, every crack in the floor, every stain on the wall.

I grabbed a mop and bucket and started in the main hall. My body aching from the beating I got from Orion yesterday but I kept scrubbing.

By the time the sky began to lighten, I had finished most of the rooms. My shirt clung to my skin and sweat dripped from my forehead.

Still, I kept going.

Carla came in hours later, her heels clicking on the floor. She walked around like a queen inspecting her castle.

She frowned and said, "The windows are streaky. Do them again."

I nodded and went back to work.

Orion's party would start in a few hours and the house had to be perfect. Not just for him but for the guests, for the power and for the show.

Later, I was sent to the kitchen to help prepare food. Huge trays of meat, fruit, cakes and more lined the counters.

"You're not eating any of this," one of the cooks sneered. "Touch anything and you'll lose a finger."

I didn't respond. I just chopped vegetables and kept my head down.

By noon, the house was full of noise, laughter, music, voices I didn't recognize.

Guests were everywhere, dressed in their best. Warriors from the Moonclaw Pack arrived, tall and proud, with powerful auras.

I stood in the corner, unseen, forgotten, like part of the furniture.

Then Orion walked in.

He looked smug in his black suit, hair slicked back, soaking in the attention. Tracy clung to his arm, wearing a silver dress that sparkled under the lights.

She saw me and smirked.

I looked away.

"You there!" Carla's voice rang out.

I turned quickly. "Yes, Luna?"

"Go to the back and clean the storage room and stay there until the party's over. I don't want the guests seeing your face."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.

Without another word, I slipped out the side door and made my way to the cold, dusty storage room behind the house.

No windows, no warmth.

Just shelves of old boxes and tools.

I sat down on the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees.

Today was also my birthday, I and Orion shared the same birthday. I turn 18th today but I hated my birthdays

Another birthday, another reminder that I didn't belong.

I stared at the wall, listening to the music and laughter outside.

The storage room was cold and smelled of dust and rusted tools. I swept every corner, wiped every shelf, even folded some old blankets.

When I finished, I sat on one of the old wooden crates, brushing dust off my hands. My back ached, my palms were raw. I needed air.

Real air.

I stepped outside, closing the heavy door behind me. The backyard was quiet, the sky now filled with stars. The sound of music and laughter still came from the house, but it felt far away out here.

I walked past the back garden, heading toward the tree line where the noise faded and the night felt calm. A small hill overlooked the river. It was my favorite spot, it was quiet, peaceful, untouched by the cruelty of the pack.

I took a deep breath.

The cool night air hit my skin, making me shiver. But for the first time today, I felt free.

Then it hit me.

A sharp pain shot through my stomach.

I gasped, clutching myself as I stumbled to my knees.

"W-What's happening...?" I whispered.

Another jolt of pain cracked through my spine and I screamed.

My bones were breaking...no, shifting, twisting.

I collapsed on the grass, writhing, crying out as heat spread through my veins.

My heart pounded and something deep inside me roared awake.

"Let me out."

A voice. A voice in my head.

My wolf.

She was real.

After all these years...

She was here.

My skin rippled, bones snapping back into place, fur growing, my senses exploding like a thousand fireworks. I felt everything, the earth under my paws, the cool air in my lungs, the thundering beat of my heart.

I had shifted.

Tears filled my wolf's eyes...my eyes.

Hello Ava, I'm Ella your wolf

"You came, you finally came" I whispered through the bond.

"I've always been here," Ella said softly. "You just needed to be strong enough to awaken me."

I ran, just a little through the clearing, past the trees, feeling the world like I never had before. Every sound, every scent, every heartbeat, I could hear them all.

It was overwhelming.

It was beautiful.

When I shifted back, it was painless, it felt natural. My human body returned, curled in the grass beneath the moonlight.

I looked down at myself, suddenly aware I was naked. My cheeks flushed with panic.

But then, as if fate had planned it, a small bundle of clothes sat on a nearby rock, neatly folded. A simple shirt and pants. I didn't know who left them, but I grabbed them quickly and dressed, heart still racing.

That's when I smelled it.

A scent so powerful, so intoxicating, it stole my breath.

Warm amber, a touch of spice and something I couldn't name.

My wolf whimpered.

Mate.

I stumbled forward, desperate to find where it was coming from.

My legs moved on their own, my heart pulling me forward.

Back toward the house.

Toward the party.

I didn't care what they thought. I didn't care who stared.

I pushed the back doors open and stepped into the hall.

It was crowded, loud, packed with wolves and guests dressed in their finest.

But none of that mattered.

Because I could feel it...him.

I walked forward, past tables, past stunned faces and laughter that suddenly stopped. People turned, whispering, eyes wide as they saw me...the servant girl, the wolfless girl.

But I wasn't that girl anymore.

My heart pounded louder with each step, the scent growing stronger.

And then... I saw him.

He stood tall at the center of the room. Dark hair, sharp features, golden eyes glowing under the lights. Power rolled off him in waves.

The son of the Moonclaw Alpha.

An Alpha himself.

He turned, his eyes locking onto mine like lightning striking the earth.

My wolf howled inside me, wild with joy.

I stopped right in front of him, unable to breathe.

Then, without meaning to, without thinking...

I spoke the one word that changed everything.

"Mate."