Chapter One Hundred and Twelve - Shifted - Maya's POV

A sigh escapes me as I sit there next to him. It's all over. But is it really? 'What about the vampires and the other packs?" He sits up beside me, his hands resting on the top of the blanket in front of him. 'They're still out there and I don't know if they've heard yet or not. It's only a matter of time before they come." I nod. 'So do you and I have any more secrets between us or is this it?" He breathes out heavily, then reaches up to drag his hand through his shaggy locks. 'I hope this is it. But as far as I know, yes, these are all the secrets. The darkness was the one thing I held back. I just didn't want to tell you and scare you more. It was hard enough with you being human, but to explain that the darkness was within me, just waiting to be embraced was a bit much." I laugh. Not because it's funny, but because of this entire situation. It has been a never ending battle and so many threats that my head is literally spinning. And now, it's pretty much done. What will we do when there's not any threats left to force us together? 'It has been a lot to process," I whisper. 'I think that is why I went home. I ran because I was scared, but then once I got away from you, it was like I had to come back. We're drawn together and I can't stay away from you, even though I'm terrified of what it means. Yes, I'm human. But I think I've always known that I was meant for more than the life I would have had as one." He grins at me and then reaches over to place his left hand over my right. 'You are meant for so much more, but I'm happy it's with me." I lean toward him and for a moment, I almost stop myself, but then I remember he's mine. So, I kiss him. At first, it's soft and tentative. His hand slides from mine to cradle my jaw almost as if he's afraid I'll disappear again. My breath catches and I press in closer. The fear that once gripped my heart melts away. He deepens the kiss, his thumb gently brushing against my cheek. This bond is more than just love, it's penetrating my very soul. When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests against mine, and I can feel his warmth. It steadies me and makes me feel alive. 'I'm not running again," I whisper. His smile is still there, but his eyes say everything he doesn't. 'Good. I'm never letting you go." He leans in and this next kiss isn't soft. It crashes between us like a storm rolling in during the summer months. It's everything we've been holding back. His hands are in my hair, on my waist, pulling me closer until there's no space left between us. My fingers curl into the fabric of his soft gray t-shirt, clutching him like he's the only real thing in the world to me. I gasp as his mouth trails down to my jaw, then lower. Heat curls in my stomach, spreading like wildfire. Every nerve in my body is lit. His name is on my lips, and I swear the air around us is like magic. But then something hits me, and it isn't pleasant. It's a sharp jolt beneath my skin, like my bones are trying to rearrange themselves. I gasp again, but this time in pain. I pull back from him as another pained moan slips from my lips. 'Maya?" His hands lower me to the bed. 'What's happening? Why are you in pain?" 'I don't know," I choke out as my breath comes faster. My skin burns and it's too hot and feels too tight. Then my vision blurs. Bones cracking fill the air, muscles tearing, and then I scream as the shift takes hold. He kneels over me, helplessly trying to do anything to soothe the pain. 'You're shifting. I Thought you wouldn't until the moon and I'd have more time to prepare. It's not even been a whole day yet." His voice is filled with disbelief, but I'm in too much pain to care, or tell him that it's happening sooner than expected. I roll over to my stomach and get up on all fours as fur breaks through my skin. My screams twist into something raw and guttural. It feels like I'm dying and I'm fairly certain I won't survive this. Through the haze, I hear his voice again, followed by what sounds like Evelyn's. They're not loud. But they try to talk me through it. 'I've got you," he whispers. 'I've got you. Shift for me, baby." Though I'd love to tell him I'm trying, I don't know what I'm doing. My body is acting on its own accord and I feel like I might lose myself to the pain at any moment. It's too much. I feel way too much. And it hurts. A few more pained wails escape my lips and I fight with everything in me to not pass out from the pain. Eventually, things start to subside and I gasp for breath before falling to my side. My vision is still blurry at first before it becomes crystal clear. Everything is so sharp and there that I'm amazed at everything I see. Colors are brighter. I can see a speck on the wall from ten feet away that I would have never noticed before. Then there is Damian, looking down at me with a beaming smile. 'You did it and she's beautiful." I glance at my hands, noticing paws in their places. My fur is as dark as a moonless night. I'm not sure what the rest of me looks like, but at least from what I can see, I make a pretty good wolf. Evelyn appears at the end of the bed, drawing my attention there for the briefest moment. She looks like a proud mom. 'By the way, your things arrived at the door a bit ago. It looks like your father and brother have given up on keeping you with them," she says, her smile growing wider. 'I might have also told them that you are happily in love and they need to stay out of it." I only laugh, which comes out like a bark. They will come around one day, though I will never tell them my secret.