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I finished reading and stretched my legs out underneath the table. That didn’t take much time.

“Well, that was informing,” Mia said, as I closed the folder.

“Yeah, it answered all of my questions except one. But I guess we can ask Tanner when we see him.” I said.

“And what question would that be?” Mia asked.

The library door opened and closed. “Aviry, I’m back.” Tanner entered, walking toward the table. He pulled out a chair sitting across from me. “So, did you finish reading?” He asked.

I nodded. “I understand a lot more. And comparing what I read to the handbook, I’m not thrilled. But I’ll take that up with your alpha.” Now that I understand who’s in charge here, we have something to clear up. “But I still have a question.”

“Only one? I guess I compose great notes.” He laughed softly, “Go ahead, shoot.”

“So, when a werewolf first shifts, is it always on their 18th birthday?” I asked. Now for the cover-up. “I mean, I’ve heard of a sweet sixteen; I didn’t get one. But it seems like the first shift is a rite of passage for your kind.” I shrugged, biting my lower lip.

“You’re right; it marks the beginning of our relationship with our inner wolf.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

“Shortly before our eighteenth birthday, our wolf enters our headspace. We start forming a friendship, accepting each other before the night of the shift. We do this so our wolves don’t take over and fight us for control. When we finally shift, we take on our roles that come with being a werewolf: titles, responsibilities, everything.” Tanner scratched his head.

“I have heard that a shift can be put off, so it’s not always the 18th birthday.” He added.

“What can put it off?” I asked eagerly.

“Well, overwhelming stress, inner turmoil, emotional trauma. That can cloud the human mind and interfere with the wolf coming through. Once some of those obstacles are clear, the wolf will emerge, and the process can begin on the next birthday.”

“Aviry, that explains some shit.” Mia began pacing. And she was right.

When I was eighteen, I was stressed the fuck out. I was homeless, alone, and couldn’t keep a job. I was starving some days and staying in a shelter almost every day. That’s when I got into street fighting. I could earn easy money, thanks to my temper.

As the fights went on and the stress decreased, I eventually met Mark and won him over. My opponents became more significant, and I trained harder every single day to get even more potent. Physically and mentally, I changed to become a fiercely independent woman. It took three years, but I did it; I survived.

After I got myself together, I began conversing with my inner voice, like that shit was normal. My strength and speed increased as it went on. Mark was convinced I was taking steroids at one point, so I let him believe it. Hell, I couldn’t explain it, so why not?

“So, your stress and emotions were blocking me out. And, I was able to come into your headspace when the stress was gone.” Mia concluded.

“Yes, and when you accepted me, I grew stronger.” Admittedly, I accepted my inner voice as a part of me. Even though my mind was still dark, Mia was always there.

“Ok, so on your birthday, what happened? We should’ve shifted.” Mia questioned. She was excited about being so close to solving this mystery.

“Well, I remember feeling nauseous, and the sharp stomach pains. But I thought It was the hotdogs. It was the night of my birthday and also a full moon. Those are the only two nights for a first shift.” I tapped my foot under the table, wondering what went wrong. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Man, I’m tired.” Tanner yawned and stretched up. He continued talking about why he was exhausted.

That’s when the light switch flipped up.

Cay mentioned Tanner using Bane to put me to sleep. That must’ve stopped my shift; he used the serum on me when the change was about to happen. Fucking Tanner, interfering with my life again.

“He doesn’t know about us, Aviry. We can’t blame him. Besides, how freaked out would you have been transforming in a bar.” Mia has a good point. I had no idea werewolves existed.

“We have another opportunity on the next full moon, which is also the start of the competition. This is great news.” Mia yipped and jumped.

“I still want to punch someone really hard, preferably Tanner. I mean, he’s right here.” I watched as he yawned again.

My promise to Mia, to not fight is biting me in the ass right now.

“Hey, Aviry, are you alright,” Tanner asked.

“Yeah, I just need to release some energy. How about we go train now, Tanner.” I stood from the chair; Tanner followed suit. We left the library together, and I followed him down the hall.

“We can see if the training room is free. We have some new punching bags you can break-in.” Tanner suggested.

“Perfect, lead the way, Tanner.” We walked in silence for a while until Tanner spoke up.

“I’m surprised that you’re not freaking out over the competition right now.” Tanner opened a glass door, I walked in first, and he followed.

“I fight almost every night; this competition is like the Superbowl. It’s just one human vs. a bunch of werewolves.” We walked toward a row of punching bags. Gloves were hanging on the wall.

“I’m not worried about the fight.” Tanner sighed, grabbing a set of red gloves. “We both know you’ll have to be turned into one of us.” I laughed internally.

I reached my fist out, and Tanner slid them on. “I figured. But, when it comes to that, then I promise to spaz out on you first, Tanner.” He chuckled and wrapped the gloves tight. I walked over to the punching bag. He stood behind the bag to hold it in place.

“I do have my disagreements, though.” I continued. I punched the bag. “For one, each and every alpha can fuck off.” PUNCH.PUCNH.

“This Luna shit might be a fairytale for the other chicks.” PUNCH.PUNCH, PUNCH. “But, it’s more like a forced union to me.” I struck at the bag hard, knocking Tanner back.

He readjusted and said, “Nixon would never force a union, more like a partnership. But we already agreed on your prize. For him, it’s just about winning at this point. What else?”

“The disqualified, auction shit.” SMACK. I kicked my right leg out, striking the bag. “If I’m out, I’m leaving.” I rapidly punched the bag, ending my assaults with a powerful right hook.

We continued training for a while longer. Tanner joined me for a run in the woods, and he walked the property with me. He showed me where the competition would be held and the lake where they give thanks to the moon goddess. We even passed some cabins where he said some pack members chose to live.

We made it back to the house around dinner time. I ate and strolled down the fourth-floor hall to my room. After entering the room, I immediately went to take a shower. When I finished, I decided to lie down before a knock on the door interrupted me.

I opened the door to see the mom from earlier. What’s her name again? Jill, Junie…it’s something like that, I’m sure.

“Aviry, I’m sorry about earlier. I dropped Annie off with her dad. I can show you to your room now.” I nodded, still trying to remember her name.

“Let me grab something, Jil...Ju—”

“It’s Jamie.” She reminded me, slightly smiling.

“Yea, right. Well, I got the J part right.” I closed the door and went to retrieve my hoodie and cash.

I joined Jil—Jamie, in the hall. “You’ll be on the third floor. That’s the main living area for pack members, along with a few offices, including Nix’s. We continued down the staircase and turned to the left, the opposite hall from where I ran into Cay earlier.

We walked past a few doors, finally stopping in front of one. “This is your room. Alpha Nix made sure all of your requests were filled.” She opened the door to a room layout similar to my last with an added bay window. The bedding had a dark blue and white comforter.

A love seat, table, and tv made up the right side of the room. On the left had a mini-fridge and microwave.

“I had some clothes delivered earlier. I based them on my size since we’re not that far off.” She laughed softly and coughed. “Except you know your way more fit and strong. I mean not in a manly way or anything. Your very feminine—”

“Stop.” I shook my head and pulled the bag of cash out of my hoodie. I picked out a crinkled five dollars handing it to Jamie. “See ya.” I shrugged and closed the door.

“Aviry, you’ve got to work on your manners.” Mia scoffed. “She’s not a damn bellhop. I sure a thank you would’ve sufficed.

“They do it all the time in movies, Mia. If it were me, I would’ve appreciated the cash more.”

I settled into the room, finding simple clothes in the closet, T-shirts, and sweatpants. The bathroom had the basic essentials. The mini-fridge was fully stocked, and there was a variety of snacks on the table. Nix came through. Now I just have to win the competition.

But tomorrow, I’ll let him know the luna shit is off the table.

I woke up the next day peacefully. No knocking, no yelling, it was a decent day. I sat up in bed and stretched. The first thing on my list was talking to Nix. I wanted to clear up this Luna business before the next full moon. Then I’ll meet up with Tanner for training. That’s all I’ll be doing for the next couple of weeks.

After freshening up in the bathroom and finding an outfit to wear, I grabbed a frozen breakfast burrito and warmed it up.

I left my bedroom, eating my breakfast, and wandered down the hall to search for Nix’s office. I finally found the door to his office at the end of the hall. I didn’t knock; I just opened the door hard, wanting to anger him just a little. I took a big bite of my burrito as I stepped in.

“Hey BITCH NIX, we need to—” I spoke, and a piece of sausage fell out my mouth.

“Aviry?” A familiar voice said.

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