17 Hannalee 8

I could tell from the jumble of voices all around me, all in my head, that the wolves around me were extremely close and friendly. It felt comforting to know that I was being so well accepted, even if I still felt hurt by my mom's inability. And I figured out early on who Dante had been talking to by the way that he'd immediately shown his submission. I had heard of shifters showing their throats as a way of submitting, but it looked so weird seeing it for myself. And when he gestured for me to do the same thing, I was sure that I totally flopped. But I had been worn out from running and drained from crying.

Part of me wished I could keep the cause of my suffering to myself and Dante, but since it was his alpha who asked, he didn't really have a choice but to tell him. Which implied the same would be said for me from now on.

I was surrounded by the pups now, cheering me up by playing and nipping at me. When the alpha looked at me again, he was saying something to Dante. They stood next to each other, with another pup to the opposite side of Dante.

'May I explain in the morning, my alpha?' he asked.

I wondered what it was that needed explaining, but it didn't take me long to figure it out.

'I suppose, but I expect you both at my house early.'

It was something about me, that I could tell for sure, and once they saw me in my human form, I would have to explain to the pack what I had just been talking to Dante about. Neither my wolf or I were eager for that. Thankfully I had plenty of distraction until the morning came. As all the other wolves of the pack seemed excited to meet me.

Before I knew it, all of us were running together. The entire pack spread out, chasing random sounds of the forest, following the scents in the wind. It felt thrilling, to be so free. Next thing I knew, we were all in the backyard of someone's house and we all just ended up falling asleep.

I don't even know what time it was when I finally woke up. All I knew was that I was comfortable laying next to Dante, and there was the smell of moisture in the air that came every morning. In my sleep-blurred vision, the sun was just starting to rise over the trees. I could hear some of the others stirring awake, and I shifted slightly to look around me. I immediately knew that Dante was awakened by my movement by the shifting behind me.

"Good morning" I heard him say, clearly having shifted back.

I looked at him in confusion, not sure how he had managed to shift so quickly. Actually, I didn't know how to shift at all. Was I supposed to just ask my wolf to go back into my mind? Or did it just happen on its own, when it was ready.

"Just put your will into the form you want" he said, probably used to this kind of confusion.

I nodded, then closed my eyes, thinking of my human form. I hadn't truly cared much about how I looked, but now I felt that it was extremely important.

My body began to tingle, a twinge of pain spreading as my body began to change shape. Muscle and bone shrinking and altering angles, fingers growing out of paws and fur receding. By the time I had regained my human form, I felt more tired than I had the night before.

I just laid in the grass, feeling the cool air and moisture on my skin, letting it settle the strange tingling sensation.

"You did it" Dante whispered in my ear.

"Does it always feel like that?" I asked nervously.

"Only the first few times. You'll get used to it" he stated, calm and matter-of-fact.

"Dante!" I heard a voice that I recognized as the alpha.

I turned to face him before remembering that I was completely exposed. As I moved I placed my hands over my breasts and nether-region. But I couldn't cover my ass at the same time, so I just had to make due.

He was a tall, dark skinned man. I had heard that those with skin like his were originally called African-American, back when all of the realms were one. But now there weren't many continents on one world anymore. His hair was short and darker than his skin, while his eyes seemed to be somewhere between his skin and his hair in their brown depth. He was rather handsome, without being over muscular. And, while he looked a little thinner than Dante, he still radiated with power.

He looked me over and I tensed, feeling Dante get in front of me just enough that I wasn't completely uncovered.

He stiff expression relaxed into a smile.

"Shall we head inside?" he asked.

Dante relaxed and said "yes, of course."

He stood up and turned from the alpha to help me up. I felt awkward standing there naked, but I did as was expected of me.

Others were waking up and looking at us as we walked toward the house, some shifting back to their human forms. It was still dark enough out that I was able to hope that my hair and eyes weren't completely obvious to everyone, though I doubted I had such luck.

Inside the large 2 story colonial house, a woman was at the stove, filling a plate with various breakfast foods.

"Good morning, my darling" she smiled over her shoulder at the alpha, implying that she was his mate.

She was the opposite of him, with her pale skin, blonde hair and hazel eyes, but when they stood next to each other, they seemed to fit with each other so well. She was a little larger than me, but at the same time, she was also quite pregnant.

I felt a twinge of envy, knowing that she was able to get pregnant so easily. Then I mentally slapped myself for such thoughts. I had only known Dante a few days. To even think of children already had to make me crazy.

"So that's what you look like as a human" She smiled at me "I thought I was seeing things when I first saw your fur."

The alpha looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. Although, this was the first time he saw my human form in proper lighting. I flushed, standing as close to Dante as I could without completely hiding.

"I-it's nice to meet you" I tried, hearing my voice shake.

"Her looks have to do with the explanation you wanted." Dante answered, sounding completely calm.

I could figure out what it was he intended to tell his alpha, but I wasn't looking forward to it. I had already picked up on Dante's feelings the night before about reuniting the realms, and it wasn't hard to figure out that he wanted me to tell the alpha the truth.

"First, introductions" the alpha's mate interrupted. "I'm Samantha, and my husband is named Travis. You are?"

"Ah, I-I'm Hannalee." I stammered.

I had never taken myself to be the nervous stammering type, but in such an awkward situation, it really was unavoidable.

Samantha stepped out of the kitchen, around Dante, and looked me over, making me even more nervous.

"Don't worry. I have some clothes that should fit you just fine."

I let out a breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding, and looked up at Dante before letting her lead me out of the room.