Chapter 1: The Biggest Loser
Rebecca
My name is Rebecca Sinclaire, and I am the biggest loser in the Shadowclaw Pack.
And no, it was not because my family was poor or because I was considered a low-ranking wolf in the Pack. Quite the opposite.
My family was fairly wealthy, and as a Beta wolf, I should’ve been well respected.
But I was not respected in my Pack, not at all. And it was all my damn wolf’s fault.
My wolf came to me on my thirteenth birthday, just like everyone said she would. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a full moon that night, and I was alone in my bedroom.
I felt a strange tingling under my skin and a rush of something ancient and wild surging through my veins that night. It was an energy unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed in my life. It was something dark yet beautiful.
[Rebecca…]
I heard someone whisper, and my heart leaped with joy because I knew who it was. I had been waiting for my wolf to come to me ever since I learned how to talk. And now, she was finally here.
[Rebecca…] she whispered again, her voice sounded dreamy.
“I’m here,” I whispered back. I can hardly contain myself from excitement as my mind linked with the entity. [Are you my wolf]?”
[Yes, little one. I’ve been waiting to be with you.]
I felt her presence unfold inside me, like a cat waking up from a long nap. The sensation was strange. It was like having another consciousness suddenly sharing my body. It felt wonderful.
I burst into my parents’ bedroom without knocking, too excited to remember my manners.
“Mom! Dad! She is here!” I shouted, practically bouncing on my toes.
My mom gasped out loud, and my father dropped the mug he was holding.
“Rebecca? What’s wrong? Who is here?” Mom asked as she looked at me with alarm.
“My wolf! She came to me!” I couldn’t stop grinning. This was the moment every young wolf in our pack dreamed about.
My father’s expression softened into a smile. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart. Did she speak to you?”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Her voice is beautiful.”
“We don’t have much time,” my father announced as he rushed to the door. “Your full transformation will begin soon. But before that, we need to call everyone to the clearing to witness it.”
“I will send a word to Alpha Xander right now,” my mom said excitedly.
My heart had skipped a beat at the mention of Alpha Xander.
He was the most powerful wolf in our territory and was the youngest Alpha in Shadowclaw history, coming to the position after his father’s unexpected death two years ago.
And gods, was he magnificent!
Standing at six-foot-five with broad shoulders, Alpha Xander commanded attention wherever he went. He had light blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that made him almost boyishly handsome. I’d seen the effect he had on the girls in my Pack. They all had a crush on him, including me.
Alpha Xander would be there. He would witness my first shift. The thought made my palms sweat and my heart race even faster than the anticipation of my transformation.
[Don’t worry,] my wolf whispered inside me. [We will impress him.]
Her confidence made me smile, but I wasn’t so sure.
The next few hours passed in a blur.
Members of our Pack gathered in the clearing despite the late hour. They congratulated my parents and looked at me with expecting eyes.
[Are you going to tell them my name?] my wolf asked, her voice curious.
I froze. [You haven’t told me your name yet], I whispered.
[My name is Raven] my wolf said.
Raven.
I already love her.
“Raven,” I whispered aloud as if to test the name on my tongue.
Alpha Xander stepped forward, his powerful presence making the clearing go silent. His blue eyes found mine, and my breath caught in my throat.
“Rebecca Sinclaire,” his deep voice carried across the clearing. “You stand before your Pack on this sacred night. The moon is full, and your wolf has awakened. What name does she bear?”
My heart raced. This was it. It was my moment to shine.
“Her name is Raven,” I announced.
I heard the crowd murmur in approval. Raven was a powerful name, a name that suggested darkness and mystery, intelligence and cunning.
[They like our name,] Raven cooed inside me.
Alpha Xander nodded. “Raven,” he repeated. “A name of power. Now, Rebecca Sinclaire, it is time for your first shift. Let the moon guide you, let your wolf emerge.”
The Pack formed a circle around me. My parents stood at the front. My mother had tears streaming down her face. And my father’s chest was puffed out with pride.
[It’s time,] Raven whispered. [Let me out, Rebecca. Let me show them who we are.]
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the moonlight on my skin. I knew I had to focus on my wolf and shut out the world around us to start the transformation.
[I’m ready]” I breathed.
The shift began with a burning sensation under my skin, like liquid fire racing through my veins. I fell to my knees, gasping. I felt pain and it was intense and powerful.
[Don’t fight it,] Raven urged. [Embrace it. Embrace me. It won’t hurt after this.]
“Yes,” I said out loud.
I can do this.
I felt my consciousness joining with hers, our thoughts intertwining until I couldn’t tell where I ended and where she began. My sense of scent suddenly became stronger.
[We are one!] Raven chirped.
And then it was done. I stood on four paws, my body trembling with newfound strength.
I finally opened my eyes, fully expecting to have sharper vision.
But instead, I was met with total darkness.
Complete, utter darkness.
What in the world?
[Rebecca?] Raven’s voice sounded confused…alarmed. [Something is wrong.] she said
I closed my eyes again and opened them again, blinking rapidly.
Still darkness.
I started to panic and whimper, spinning around the area in circles in my wolf form. I crashed into a tree and stumbled over its roots.
I could smell everything, but I couldn’t see a thing.
“What’s wrong with her?” I heard someone whisper.
“Is she… defective?” came another voice.
I felt someone’s hand on me. “Rebecca? Are you okay?” said my mother’s voice.
No, I was not okay, I thought as the realization hit me.
Raven, my beautiful wolf, was blind.