The Young Luna novel Chapter 26

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Chapter 26

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I gasped as the wound on my neck slowly back to heal. I hissed as my temperature increased again and I was burning up. When my neck was no longer bleeding, I was beginning to get feeling back in my body. I managed to push myself up and onto all fours, groaning as my skin tingled.

I always thought I would be excited when this day came, when I finally Shifted. When I finally become a true Werewolf. But, excitement was not what I felt. There was nothing but fear, panic and pain. I had never thought I would be lost, injured and alone when I finally Shifted. But I was. Alone and crying out for someone. No one came.

My skin bubbled, like it was burning, and I screamed louder than I had ever screamed before. Then my left leg snapped and I buckled, my leg at a grotesque angle as my other snapped violently. I lay on the floor, crying and screaming, as each of my bones broke and the formed and then broke again.

My body was struggling to find the right form as the bone broke numerous time before finding the right fusion. And slowly, but surely, my body began to Shift. My skin began to sprout deep brownish red fur and my face began to elongate. I could feel my teeth growing into fangs as my spine arched.

It took hours. Hours and hours of pure agony and pain. But, finally, it was over.

I lay on my side, crying and whimpering, as my body rested from the exhaustion. I always imagined I'd finish my Shift, jump up on four legs and run around like an excited puppy. But I didn't. I just lay on the forest floor and felt sorry for myself – rightfully so.

Then the pain started again and before I knew it, my entire body was Shifting back. I couldn't control it but I should of expected it. In the first few weeks of a Werewolf's Shift, they can't control when or where it happens.

The Shift back was painful but it was quicker, probably only twenty minutes. And when I was back to human form, I felt different and stronger. The pain was all gone but I was exhausted. I groaned as I sat up, naked and cold, as I noticed that the dark night was beginning to turn to morning.

I glanced around the forest and saw my blood and frowned. My throat was dry and I was desperate for a drink. I slowly got to my feet, stretching my body out – I definitely felt different. But I didn't dwell on it, just considered how I was going to get home.

I found my dress on the floor, cringing as I picked it up. I had wrestled to get it off, so there were rips and claw marks through the black satin material. "Damn" I muttered, but pulled it on anyway. My underwear had not survived at all. The dress seemed slightly tighter than before and I was lucky that the rips didn't reveal anything expect my stomach and parts of my backs.

I couldn't find my shoes, so I simply began to walk. Due to my new enhanced senses, I was able to hear and smell things I had never heard or smelt before. I quickly heard the sound of a road and walked that way.

My feet hurt as I walked bare foot to the road, before following it for about half an hour, with only one car that passed by. When I came across a gas station I almost sobbed in relief. I made a beeline and the guy looked up at me in shock. He simply pointed me to the bathroom and I slipped inside. It was five am and I was sure he just thought I'd had a wild night and was taking the walk of shame.

Inside the bathroom, I stepped in front of the mirror and gasped in shock. The reflection that stared back at me wasn't me, expect that it was me. I looked like a completely different person. My wild brown curls had thickened and fell into long waves down to my waist, a red hint to the hair when the light hit it right. My face had thinned slightly, my sharp nose and jaw line finally looking in proportion. My freckles were still there but they'd faded, almost like a ghost of freckles previously there.

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My skin had darkened a few tones as well, like I had caught the sun or had a father who wasn't as white as he was. My body had changed too, and I almost sobbed in happiness. I made sure the door was locked, before stripping my dress off.

My chest had finally filled out, going from an A cup to almost C – I guessed from the quick feel I gave myself. My waist was more defined and my stomach lined with the promise of a six pack. My hips were still large, but my thighs had thickened and supported them better. I had gained weight but it seemed to be from muscles and curves. I didn't look older, but I actually looked my age for once.

I looked in the mirror and I saw my mother. "Finally" I whispered to myself, as my eyes danced with unshed tears. Finally, I looked pretty. Possibly even more than pretty. I looked like a Latina beauty, just like I had always dreamed I would look like. "Finally" I said again, smiling at my reflection.

I pulled my dress back on and ran my hand through my hair. I washed some of the dirt and dried blood off my body in the sink, before using the toilet. I then headed back out to the main part of the gas station. "Can I borrow the phone?" I asked the guy.

He gave me a once over and it took a second to realise he was checking me out. I had never been checked out before. I almost thrust my fist up into the air out of happiness. The guy handed me his phone and I used it to call my own cell phone. I didn't know Seth's number, or his office or even Shawna's number. But I knew my own phone, and Shawna had my phone in her purse when I left.

"Hello?" Shawna's voice asked tenderly, worried and concerned but also hopeful.

"Shaw, it's me" I said and she sighed in relief.