04

Allya

We arrived at the ceremony venue -- a clearing behind the pack house. Everything was beautiful and wonderfully rustic. The house itself was stunning, and the decorations out back were perfect. I spotted my friends chatting in a corner and headed over.

"Hey guys, who's ready to go wolf?"

"Oh, Goddess, Allya! I thought you were never going to show up!" Erika laughed.

Erika Sammuel

"Wow, Allya, you look gorgeous."

Lince Evans

"I can already feel our mate bond," Joshua joked.

Joshua Richard

"You're so full of yourself, Josh!" Amanda laughed. "Allya's mate is definitely some Alpha. You look stunning, girl."

Amanda Peterson

"You guys all look amazing! I can't believe we're finally here!"

"Right? Just look at all these gorgeous guys from the pack. Goddess help me, because next heat cycle I'm going all in!" Erika declared.

"Oh my God, Erika, you sound like such a freak!" Amanda giggled.

"I'm with Allya on this," Lince said. "I really want to find my mate bond."

"Come on, guys -- now that things are about to get good, you're talking about tying yourselves down?" Joshua shook his head. "I was already living my best life during the heats, and now that I'll be transformed? I'm going in for the kill."

We kept chatting for a while until Brendo came to let us know we needed to go to a reserved room because the ceremony was about to begin. I was nervous, my palms cold and clammy. I took a sip of water and kept talking with my friends until we heard the music die down, and then the Alpha's voice rang out -- deep and commanding. I couldn't see him from where we were. The women in the room were going crazy to catch a glimpse of the Alpha -- after all, one of us could be his mate. Jorge opened the door and guided us to the clearing. The lights were out, and the only glow came from candles. Around us, family members and villagers formed lines to welcome the new wolves. We stood in rows inside the circle of candles at the center of the clearing, and I could see the Alpha in the distance. He was gorgeous -- long hair pulled back, his muscles practically tearing through his dress shirt. He said something, but I was so distracted I didn't even catch it. All I felt was the first sharp stab of pain in my head. A shrill, agonizing ringing pierced my ears. I looked up at the moon as it bathed us in light. Around me, my friends were feeling the first effects of the transformation too. My whole body ached.

"Ahhh... Goddess, the pain!"

I screamed as I felt my bones splitting apart from the inside. The agony was excruciating -- until I heard something. A voice inside my head.

"Let me through, Allya. Everything will be all right."

I clapped my hands over my ears. Tears streamed down my face. I stared at my trembling hands and watched my nails stretch and lengthen. My vision was blurring. I began to hear small howls around me -- some had already transformed.

"Come on, Allya. You can do this."

The voice spoke in my mind again. I closed my eyes and surrendered -- and then I transformed. A breathtaking, magnificent force surged through my body. Massive paws. White fur. I closed my eyes and felt the breeze rush past me, every instinct razor-sharp and alive.

"Hello, Allya."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Ravena. Your wolf."

"Hi, Ravena. I'm so glad to finally meet you."

"Same here, Allya. Now we are one."

Ravena let out a powerful, echoing howl. I could feel through every fiber of fur how dominant she was. Her eyes locked onto the black wolf standing ahead of us, but I couldn't tell who it was. She stared him down and howled again.

"Who is he, Ravena?"

She didn't answer. I saw the signal given to start the hunt, and Ravena bolted toward the forest, plunging deep into the trees. It was incredible -- the sensation of running free was like nothing I'd ever experienced. Ravena took over and let her hunting instincts guide us. In the distance, we heard something moving. She howled and gave chase. This was the best moment of my entire life. We reached a spot near a lake and saw a deer drinking peacefully. Ravena crouched low, hidden, and watched.

"Our first hunt has to be a big one. Let's take our prey."

Before I knew it, she lunged at the deer. It startled and tried to flee, but the black wolf cut off its escape. Ravena snarled, and the black wolf snarled back. Who was this wolf? But before I could think, she attacked, and the black wolf helped prevent the deer from bolting. Ravena sank her fangs into its neck and killed it instantly. She released the carcass, and the black wolf stood before us. The feeling right now was strange -- they stared at each other and drew close. I couldn't communicate with the black wolf, and Ravena had gone silent. She touched her muzzle to his, and he breathed her in. It was as if they already knew each other. Then we heard something -- the black wolf startled, looked at Ravena, and bolted away.

"Let's take the kill."

Ravena gripped the deer in her jaws, and we headed back to the ceremony grounds. Some had already returned and were presenting their kills to the Alpha. Ravena carried the deer to the Alpha and laid it before him. She gazed deep into his eyes. He smiled. I was confused, and she quickly moved away, heading toward my family. Ravena nuzzled my mother, who stroked her fur, along with Analia and my father.

"You're beautiful, darling."

"Take good care of our girl."

"What's your name?" Jorge asked, speaking to her through the wolves' telepathic link.

"My name is Ravena. I'm so happy to finally meet all of you."

"Welcome to the pack, Ravena. Now we need Allya back!" Jorge laughed.

Ravena bowed to Jorge in acknowledgment of his rank, then headed toward the area set aside for us to return from the hunt. Analia followed with a change of clothes. Ravena began to reverse the transformation, and I screamed in pain. It was far worse than shifting into wolf form -- the agony of bones snapping back into place was unbearable. I screamed as my body felt like it was on fire.

"Easy, Allya. It only hurts the first time."

"Allya, stay calm. It'll pass," Analia said.

I could feel Ravena's worry. Analia tried to help, but everything that touched my body burned like flame. I screamed in pain until I heard that deep voice again.

"Stay calm. Breathe. I promise it will pass."

And like magic, the pain began to fade. I felt his hands on me, and my breathing steadied. I finally managed to open my eyes -- and found a stunning pair of brown eyes staring back at me. I blinked a few times, and only then did I realize who it was.

"Alpha."

My voice cracked, and I fainted.

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