Chapter 30: The shifter ritual

The full moon was finally in sight.

The moon looked spine-chillingly beautiful with its ethereal glow, shining down on the shifters below. It stayed high up in the dark sky, surrounded by the clouds. But it did not stop the moon from brightening itself among the clouds. There were no stars to accompany the lonely full moon as it only has its own brightness to add to its luminous presence.

When the full moon was sighted, Lachlan had his gaze on the soon-to-be shifters. The moonlight began to shine on them, as all of them, including Erick, looked up at the moon.

Their eyes began to turn to amber and their mouth was open, revealing small fangs that continue to grow longer. Soon, the sound of bones cracking, like the crack of thunder was heard. Low growls filled the area as the shifters behind Erick began to growl as well.

Lachlan ignored the growls behind him as he watched in silence. They have started to change now.

However, Lachlan only had his eyes on Erick, who was shifting right in front of him.

'Now, Dane. Show yourself.'

-----

When the moonlight shone down on his body, Erick could feel the change inside him.

Dane, who was usually quiet, began to stir inside his mind. And in the next moment, let out a loud piercing howl.

His howl pierced through Erick's mind and hearing. It felt like numerous daggers were stabbing through him. He could feel the blood in his veins getting hotter as Dane's power was trying to consume his mind and soul.

He bit down on his lips until he could feel the blood dripping down his mouth. He could feel the pain that Dane was going through. He knew that shouting to gain his own sanity wasn't working. Dane couldn't even recognized Erick, as he, too, was trying to fight his own demons inside him.

He felt like his bones were beginning to crack, like thousands of needles pricking inside him. The agony was excruciating painful as he felt his blood blood began to heat him up inside and out. His ears began to twitch and it felt like his eardrums was drumming non-stop.

Erick felt his insides were twisting and he did not realized that he had dropped down on the ground, writhing. He held his head tightly as he tried to endure the pain and agony.

He could feel changes in his physical appearance. His vision was blurred as he looked down on his hands, which was supporting him from laying down. He was on his knees, gasping for air. It was as if there was no air around him.

He saw, with his blurred vision, his hands began to grow. His nails began to lengthen to claws. He could hear the ripping of his clothes as his body began to grow larger. Fur began to cover his whole body, arms and legs. His teeth began to grow longer in sharp fangs.

As he began to blink more, he felt like his vision was getting more clearer. His limbs began to contort, making him more tall.

Inside him, he could feel Dane howling and growling as he tried to devour Erick's soul and sanity. More piercing pain hit Erick as each of Dane's growl stabbed at him.

He clenched his jaw tight, trying to withstand the pain. And suddenly, he howled out in his mind, "DANE! ENOUGH! I WILL NOT LET YOU CONTROL ME! I COMMAND YOU TO GET HOLD OF YOURSELF AND SUBMIT TO ME!"

Fighting against the pain, Erick tried to stand on his hind legs, still clenching his jaw tight. Dane was still fighting against his demons in his mind.

When he succeeded in getting up, Erick exhaled a long breath. Dane, too, began to quiet down.

Apparently, he had finally came to his senses. Erick could feel Dane calming down as a wave of tranquil spread all over his body.

Just then, he felt Dane bowing down to him in his mind. "I submit myself to you, Erick," Dane said.

-----

Lachlan looked around him.

It was chaos everywhere. Many shifters had begun to move forward, ready to be on defense when the moonlight had shone on the soon-to-be shifters. Soon after, there were many shouts and growls.

Paccia immediately set up a shield around the area, to ensure no sounds were leaked out. She also scanned the area, looking around to make sure there weren't any enemies to attack them when they were occupied with the ritual.

There were some who had fainted but managed to shift. And unfortunately, there were some who had turned rogue. They lost to their inner wolf and became feral. They began to attack those around them. With wild eyes and their newly formed fangs and claws, they had already injured some of the new shifters.

But fortunately, by the looks of how the other shifters had subdue the rogues, these rogues should be able to gain their sanity once they were placed in the detention room at the pack house. Then again, there were those who truly lost to their wolf that some shifters had to killed them.

Those who had fainted out of exhaustion were quickly moved aside, away from harm's way.

In front of him, Lachlan watched as Erick was still fighting with Dane. More like, fighting with Dane's inner demons.

Lachlan, who still hasn't shifted, looked on quietly.

He became stiff with tension as he watched the shifter in front of him slowly stood up.

He wasn't sure whether it was Erick or Dane.

The shifter had his eyes closed.

And when he finally opened his eyes, Lachlan could see his shimmering amber eyes.

He narrowed his eyes as the shifter howled up in the sky.

The shifter looked down at Lachlan. The shifter in front of him was taller than him. He could only reach to his chest.

The shifter pushed his shoulders back as he rolled his neck on his shoulder.

The two of them looked at each other in silence, oblivious to the chaos around them.

The shifter let out a smirk and to Lachlan's surprise, dropped to his one knee. He then said, in a voice so different from Erick, more raspy as if it had been some time since he talked. "Greetings to Alpha Lachlan."

A smile bloomed on Lachlan's face and he said, "Nice to meet you, Dane."