The shift.

"Alright. I'll be back in a few days." I say into the phone that I borrowed from one of the Blood Wolves' pack members.

"Are you sure you're okay, Birger?" Bella asks me.

I decided to stay for the pack meeting. It was due in 3 days and I'd already been told by Frode that the Alphas were boarding their planes. We had been drinking at Frode's lodge for the past few hours. Sharing war stories and talking about our lives. It was oddly relaxing.

"Yeah, Bella. I'm good. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Alright… take care."

"Bye."

I stuck my phone in my pocket before drinking the rest of the beer that rested in my bottle. I walked back into the lodge and saw Thor and Frode hugging each other while dancing.

"…"

"I can't bewieve da god of funder is here~" Frode slurred.

Thor cackled. "Aye lad! I can't believe the great 'n mighty Boo… Bun… Binger?… what's his name?"

"Grandpa!" Frode shouted.

"Grandpa! That's right! Anyway… what were we talking about?"

Frode thought for a long moment before falling over and falling asleep.

"…what…" I shook my head.

Fucking lightweights.

Thor started laughing hysterically before falling on top of Frode. Frode grunted as his eyes bulged out. He quickly shoved Thor off of him before going back to sleep.

Thor snored loudly as he grumbled something between breaths. He always used to do that back in the day.

After a hard-won battle, we usually celebrated with mead or wine that we stole from the opposing forces reserve.

I carefully stepped over the dozens of empty liquor bottles before picking Frode up. I carried him to his room and laid him on the bed.

I might not know him, but he is my many-great grandson, you know? Family will always be family.

Thor on the other hand?

Yeah, not gonna bother.

I spent a few hours talking to Frode about the next pack meeting, before he got drunk.

Apparently the Antarctic Pack is run by one of, if not the strongest werewolf in the world.

From what Frode said, the guy was pretty damn hairy and around 7 feet tall.

I figured I wouldn't mistake him for anyone else.

I wasn't planning on asking them to change the law. I was going to tell them to change it.

Is killing wrong? Yes. But there are times where it is necessary. If a rogue cannot survive without a pack, they'll go insane and hurt the people surrounding them. It is a terrible fate.

The Forsaken were a small example of the ones that can survive. They only had maybe 15 wolves within.

I looked at Frode again before walking back outside.

He really did look like me and Hilda.

"I see you've met the European Pack's alpha."

I turned to the side and saw Selene walking through the snow. She gracefully stepped onto the porch and sat on the railing. She seemed unbothered by the cold even when she was only wearing the thin sheet of fabric.

"Aye." I said as I squinted my eyes at her. "You knew."

"Yes. He is a good wolf." Her eyes shone with pride. "He is a lot like you, you know."

I grinned at her. "Looks like it. I'm surprised people even remeber the Old Tongue, let alone speak it."

She smiled at me silently. We both turned our gaze to the dark sky. The clouds parted and gave way to show the brilliance of the full moon.

"Are you prepared?" She asked.

My first change. I would finally become one with my wolf, Fenrir. I was excited. It wasn't often that I found myself truly excited about something new. I was also glad to have her with me.

"Yes." I said softly.

She nodded and motioned in my direction. I took my bracelet and necklace off and placed them in the pockets of my jacket before taking that off too. My shirt followed and Selene gasped quietly.

My body was filled with scars. Most were hideous gashes, caused by weapons or poisons that were unable to heal completely even with my previous constitution.

I chuckled quietly at the memories before taking my shoes and pants off as well.

I stood naked in front of her. "You didn't know about them?"

She shook her head with a sad expression. "I remember many things of my life as Ashina… some are just… suppressed."

I nodded.

I had told Chelsie that they were scars from War. She never asked which war and I was thankful for that. I never liked lying to her.

The newest one was on my right arm. It was an ugly gash that spread from my elbow to my shoulder.

It was where Lucifer ripped my arm off.

"Mate." I said to her with a smile. "Will you run with me?"

She held out her hand and I grasped it softly. Her robe fell to the ground, exposing her curvaceous body.

"I will run with you, Mate." She smiled back.

I'll take it from here, B. Fenrir said in my mind. Just relax and I'll guide you through the shift. It'll hurt.

Meh, I can take it. I coyly replied.

He chuckled in my mind before I felt my legs snap. My eyebrows raised. I felt my jaw snap at my front teeth before it shot out. My arms were next, snapping at 4 different places as black fur grew from my body. I fell to the ground on all fours as the change finished.

Uh… Selene mind linked me.

Hmm? What's wro-

Why the hell was everything so small? My eyes squinted as I turned to Selene.

She was at the bottom of my vision, almost hidden by my muzzle. She had shifted as well. Her wolf flowed in a mixture of silver with gold accents.

I started cackling through our mind-link. You're so tiny! Hahah!

No I am not, Birger Age! She growled. I am actually quite large for a wolf! You're just abnormally big!

Huh? I looked around for a moment in confusion.

Yeah, I was damn huge for a werewolf. Most are around 5 feet tall on average, the larger ones being 6 feet, like Selene. That's from their head to the ground, by the way. But me? I was at least 7 feet tall! I was larger than my human form as a werewolf!

Yeah, that's what happens when you get a literal god as your wolf, B… Fenrir said in an obvious fashion.

My grunt came out as a growl. I took a step forward and almost lost balance.

Aww… my baby is learning how to walk~

Fuck off, Selene! I growled. This is awkward as hell!

She chuckled. You'll get used to it, dear.

I stepped off of the porch. After a few minutes, I got used to the feeling of using 4 legs.

I changed my walking pattern to more of a swagger instead of my previous tottering.

Selene was laying on her stomach with her head on her paws as she watched me with amusement.

She's cute. Fenrir said to me.

I chuckled to him as I side eyed her. I started to Parade in front of her. Lifting my legs up and down with graceful movements. She lifted her head up and snorted before laying it back down.

Tough nut, eh? I said to Fenrir.

Oh yeah. She's bossy too.

I barked and started to amble towards her. She barked back at me and stood up. Her hair stood on end in warning. I yapped at her and start to jump left and right.

She crouched down and I turned quickly before sprinting away into the snow. She chased after me while huffing angrily.

I looked over my shoulder as I ran with my mouth open. My tongue hung out as my lips curled into a canine-grin.

She yapped in a higher-pitched tone before speeding up. My eyes widened as I struggled to run faster. Before long, she tackled me and we fell to the ground, rolling on top of each other.

We were playfully nipping at each other as we rolled before I ended up on my back. She laid down on top of me lazily and went limp. She licked my face repeatedly.

I gave a grumbling yawn before putting my muzzle on her head. We sat there for a few long moments before she suddenly howled.

I howled with her.

We became silent as we heard many other howls in the distance.

Must be the Blood Wolf pack. I said to her.

Yes. She confirmed.

Odd. It was the middle of the night. They shouldn't be awake at this time, unless they were on guard duty. The resounding howls echoed loudly in every direction. Almost like the entire pack was awake.

Yeah, pretty weird. Fen said.

I chuckled. Is your speech pattern changing, Fen?

He grumbled. Well, we're basically the same person now, so I guess we are getting some similarities.

I tilted my head and let out a soft sound. I thought wolves had their own personalities?

They do. That's what I find so confusing about this. I don't mind it, though. It just feels natural.

I dunno, man… I'd rather not live with another me in my head.

He chuckled. As if that would happen. It's nothing like that, B. Just slight similarities.

I huffed a breath. Fair. We were already fairly similar.

Well you did raise me since I was a pup. I still remember when you spread those bushes apart and I saw some random human staring at me with the most terrifying eyes I'd ever seen! I thought you were going to cook me!

I chuckled at the memory. Yeah, I suppose it could be pretty scary. Even as a dire wolf, Fenrir was smart. Smarter than a lot of humans I'd met during the time!

Selene mind linked me. What are you chortling at?

I choked on a laugh. Ch-chortling? Babe, no one says that. I've actually never heard anyone say that until now.

W-well, if you chortled, you chortled! What difference does it make?! Her flustered voice entered my mind a little louder than normal.

I started to roll on the snow with canine laughter escaping my lips. Chortle?! I've lived this long and never have I ever heard anyone use chortle!

S-stop laughing, Birger Age! I-I am a goddess for the moon's sake! I can use whatever words i please!

Ch-chortle! I chortled.

She growled and jumped on top of my rolling body. E-Enough! I get it! I get it so… shut up!

I smacked my nose against hers before licking her face. You're adorable, Selene.

She flicked her face away from mine. Compliments won't get you out of this!

I chuckled again as she moved off of me. We stared at the moon in silence for a long moment when I suddenly felt the urge to howl. So I did.

Selene howled with me and we synchronized.

A few moments later, we heard howls again, but even more this time.

What are they howling at? Is it some kind of werewolf thing I don't know about? I asked Selene.

I suppose you good say that. She side eyed me with a toothy grin.

What does that mean?

It means- she turned to face me as she licked my face lovingly. They are welcoming their king.