’Whoa, what the hell was that?’ Experiencing what wolves call the 'first shift' was the most excruciating thing I've ever had to go through in my entire life! No words of advice could prepare you for the amount of physical suffering you have to endure when your bones fuse together and your body contorts in ways you never thought possible. If I had to explain it in better words, it's as if fire is pumping through your veins instead of blood and as though someone just got done pouring acid all over you.
Holy crap that was worse then getting burned by a curling iron while getting a thousand papercuts at the same time. We all know how much stinking papercuts hurt! One minute I'm standing there pleading for someone to stop these two nitwits from killing one another and the next thing I remembered was hearing Tristan yelp in pain.
Something inside me snapped, just the thought of him being hurt caused the flame to ignite. I wanted to beat the crap out of both of these Neanderthals for thinking violence always solves everything! I'm a person for goodness sakes not some sort of possession that they could fight over. I understand Tristan was only trying to defend my honor, but come on don't they get tired of battling everything out?
Can't we all just get along? Sit down like a bunch of reasonable people over a nice hot cup of tea and verbalize our disagreements? Nah, didn't think so. I'm one to speak with the way I tackled Jewel at the pack meeting. Feeling an awful lot like Bambi, I tried to stand up on all fours. I can't even manage to balance on two feet now I have to trot around on fours? Oh god! What if I stay this way forever? What if I don't know how to shift back?
There's no way I'm living in wolf form for the rest of my life. I enjoy all the perks of being a human like having thumbs, being able to use toilet paper when I go to the bathroom, taking a shower and smelling fresh, and most of all I love my food. Staying in wolf form means I have to poo and pee outside, ew gross! I won't smell too fresh either unless Tristan shifts back to human and washes me with soap and water!
Shaking my head to dispel all the crazy thoughts in my mind and refocus on the main task at hand, I turned my attention to the two wolves staring at me in wonder. I put one paw in front of the other testing out my balance before breaking out into a full sprint. Getting in between them I began bouncing up and down and barking like a mad woman showing them how angry I was.
In my mind what I was yapping about completely made sense to me, hopefully they'll understand what I'm trying to convey. 'You idiots, what are you two crazy! Hasn't there been enough death around here, yet you both have a death wish by challenging each other? I'm not some toy you can fight over!' Lowering my head I charged into Marco shouldering him, 'And you, just who the hell do you think you are taking a bite out of my mate' I growled lowly.
Of course, he wasn't moving anywhere because he's so much bigger then me, but it's the principle that counts! Not getting the desired effect of fear that I hoped to receive from him I turned my muzzle and bit him on what I assumed to be his ankle or maybe it was a wrist...who knows, who cares. I bit down hard enough to produce a small yelp of pain as Marco pulled his paw away out of reach from my teeth, while he retreated a few steps backwards.
I could hear a few chuckles before Rico's voice filled my head. I glanced over at him, but his lips weren't moving. 'They don't understand a word you're saying sis.' Rico's voice said. What is this? Why can I hear his thoughts, have I gone crazy?
'No you're not crazy Analia, you were welcomed into the pack as the Manzanares Princess. You have a mind link with myself, Rico, and Alonso because we're family.' My father's voice answered. 'As soon as you accept the pack as your own, you'll be able to communicate with all of them.'
At hearing this, I instantly shut my mouth and stopped yipping. Wow, don't I feel like a total moron, shush it! So what if I thought wolves speak to one another in their own barks, laugh all you want now. How was I supposed to know there's no secret wolf language, I'm no wolf expert here.
'Well can you tell them I said no more fighting!' I thought, pointedly staring in Rico's direction expecting him to play translator.
'Yea, tell the beefcakes to stop flapping around like a bunch of wusses.' Alonso chimed in causing me to laugh.
"Analia says no more fighting." Rico announced with a slight smile. I think I'm going like having big brothers, our personalities seem to get along well.
Allowing my eyes to roam, I realized Marco hasn't move a muscle as he observed me spazzing out in front of him. He still seemed like he was in shock for some reason. Did he not expect me to be a wolf or was he surprised I attacked him? Tristan stood before me with a wolfy smirk on his face? If I could smack the smirk right off him I would, but I don't think my paw reached up to his face! He's enormous! What's so freaking funny anyway?
Here I am worried sick that he's going to get himself killed and he's watching me in amusement. Glad I could be some form of entertainment to him. Not able to control my anger anymore I narrowed my eyes and took a few steps back. Crouching down low in an attempt to maximize my velocity, I pushed off the dirt with my front paws. Sailing into the air, I managed to pounce onto Tristan's back...barely! I was basically latching on to his rear end! My entire hind legs were still hanging off as I shuffled my paws against his massive body to try and hoist myself up.
'Want to make fun of me? I'll show you!' I thought as I bit down playfully on the tip of his ear. Grr! In the blink of an eye Tristan jerked slightly to the left causing me to slide off.
His teeth bit down hard...but not hard enough to hurt... onto the scruff of my fur at the back of my head. In one swift movement Tristan picked me up and placed me down in front of him. Show off! That's when I felt the warmness of his tongue as he licked my nose. Eww, yuck is that a wolf kiss of some sort?
'Eww yuck?' Tristan's voice pushed into my head. He tilted his head sideways and looked at me questionably. His tongue darted out and licked me yet again! 'Yes it's a wolf kiss.'
'Wh...why are you in my head?' I asked completely astonished. Ok I understood the part where I'm connected to my Father, Rico and Alonso, but Tristan's not part of the Manzanares Pack.
'We can communicate because we're mates and I marked you.' Tristan notified me with a smile, his pointy teeth showing as his lips lifted up a bit.
'So you marking me allows us to speak to each other? Why couldn't we do it before?' I pondered, damn these wolves with their confusing bits of knowledge. I feel like I'm so out of the loop. I still have so much to learn.
'Because you didn't shift yet sweetheart. Here I thought you were an innocent little human...only to find out you're a Princess she-wolf.' Tristan's tone came out as teasing.
"You claimed my daughter?" My Father's voice bellowed interrupting our lovey-dovey Moment. It caused my to cringe inwardly, uh-oh!
Doesn't he know this already? Didn't Rico and Alonso go back and tell him about me having Tristan's mark for heaven's sake? I guess, maybe I'll have to learn to keep my thoughts to myself? Eek, can you even do something like that or will they forever invade my mind. Shifting back to human form, my eyes bulged out of their sockets. What the heck is he doing? My mind raced as I was faced with the smooth skin of Tristan's butt in front of me!
At least he's facing forward, but then I realized there are other female wolves around and a tinge of jealousy pierced my heart. I don't want other females seeing his junk! I allowed a grumble to escape my lips causing Tristan to glance over his shoulder at me and wink. He knew exactly what he was doing and that I hated it. Alonso being the great big brother that he is threw a pair of shorts at Tristan, "Cover up man, no one wants to see all that