Riley's POV
The clearing erupts into chaos as Jasper's smirk lingers in my mind, his voice still echoing, You brought her. My heart pounds, a wild drumbeat in my chest, as rogue wolves charge, their glowing eyes cutting through the dark. The air fills with snarls and the crunch of grass under paws, the metallic scent of blood already sharp in my nose. I stand between Caleb and Ethan, Silas ahead, his broad shoulders tense, his blue eyes flashing as he shifts into a massive wolf, fur rippling over his skin. Caleb grabs my arm, his grip firm but gentle, his voice low. "Stay close, Riley. Don't move unless we say."
I nod, my breath shallow, my hands trembling at my sides, the vial in my pocket a heavy weight I can't ignore. A rogue lunges at Ethan, its jaws snapping, and he meets it head-on, his wolf form a blur of black fur and power. I stumble back, my boots slipping on the wet grass, my wolf stirring inside me, a restless itch I've fought for years. Pain flares in my arms, my nails sharpening, but I clench my fists, holding it back, the fear stronger than the instinct.
Jasper moves through the fight, his lean figure dodging wolves with ease, his green eyes locked on me. "You can't hide forever," he calls, his voice taunting, cutting through the growls. My stomach twists, and I duck as a rogue swipes at me, its claws missing by inches. Caleb shifts, his wolf form tackling the attacker, his snarl vibrating through the ground. I fall to my knees, the cold seeping through my jeans, my hands pressing into the mud.
"Get up!" Silas's voice booms, human again, as he pulls me to my feet, his hands strong on my arms. His blue eyes are wild, sweat streaking his face. "You need to fight, Riley. Now."
"I can't," I gasp, my voice breaking, tears stinging my eyes. But the rogues close in, their growls louder, and I feel it, the wolf pushing harder, a force I can't contain. Pain rips through me, my bones aching, and I scream, falling forward. Fur sprouts on my arms, gray and soft, my claws digging into the earth. I fight it, panic surging, but Silas kneels beside me, his hand on my back. "Let it happen," he says, his voice calm, grounding me.
I stop resisting, and the shift takes over, my body trembling as I turn into a wolf, my senses exploding, smells sharper, sounds clearer, the world vivid. I'm on all fours, my paws sinking into the mud, my breath heaving. Silas nods, his wolf form joining mine, and we charge into the fray. I bite at a rogue, my teeth sinking into its shoulder, the taste of blood bitter on my tongue. Ethan and Caleb fight nearby, their movements a dance of strength, protecting me as I learn.
Jasper watches, his smirk fading, and he shifts into a sleek black wolf, charging at me. Silas intercepts, their clash a whirlwind of fur and snarls, but Jasper's faster, slipping past to face me. "You're one of us now," he growls, his voice in my head, eerie and clear. I dodge, my instincts kicking in, and swipe at him, my claws raking his side. He yelps, retreating, his eyes narrowing.
The battle stretches on, the moon high above, its light filtering through the trees. Daniel and Sarah lead the pack, their wolves fierce, driving the rogues back. I fight alongside the triplets, my movements clumsy but growing surer, my wolf howling inside me. A rogue pins Ethan, its jaws near his throat, and I leap, knocking it off, my teeth bared. Ethan shifts back, panting, his blue eyes meeting mine. "Good job," he says, a grin breaking through the exhaustion.
As dawn approaches, the rogues flee, their howls fading into the forest, leaving the clearing littered with blood and fur. I shift back, collapsing, my body human again, my clothes torn, my skin scratched. The triplets surround me, their breaths heavy, their eyes concerned. Caleb helps me up, his hand warm on my arm. "You did it," he says, his voice soft, a hint of pride in it.
I nod, my legs shaky, my mind reeling. The fight's over, but Jasper's words linger, You're one of us now. The sun peeks over the horizon, its first light hitting the trees, marking 08:54 AM WAT on this Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The pack gathers, assessing wounds, their voices low. Daniel approaches, his face grim. "They'll be back," he says, his eyes on me. "You're part of this now, Riley."
I glance at the triplets, their faces set, and feel the bond tugging at me, stronger after the fight. But doubt creeps in, Jasper knows too much, and Lila's still locked away. "What about Lila?" I ask, my voice hoarse.
"We'll investigate," Sarah says, her tone firm. "But you need to rest."
They lead me back to the packhouse, the morning air crisp, my body exhausted but alive with a new awareness. In my room, I collapse on the bed, the vial still in my pocket, now a relic of my old life. I stare at the ceiling, the fight replaying, my first shift, my first real fight. The triplets believe in me, but Jasper's warning haunts me. I'm a wolf, their mate, and the war is just beginning. I close my eyes, the bond with them pulsing, a mix of fear and hope as I drift into a restless sleep.