Chapter 1

The New Me

The sunrise was a mixture of orange of red set against a clear blue sky that morning. I could hear the birds singing from the forest below along with the subtle sound of rushing water from the nearby waterfalls. It was peaceful.

If only I felt the same.

Titus started to move around, and I prayed he won't bump into me. Everything ached from my transformation the night before.

He nuzzled my cheek with his hand on my shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

I shook my head. Even my jaw hurt.

"That bad?"

I nodded.

The black werewolf climbed out of bed. "Do you want something to eat?"

"No," I whispered.

He sat down in front of me and brushed back my head fur. "I could take you to the hot pools. It'll help loosen you up."

With a sigh, I nodded. I didn't want to move, but sitting here was going to fix it either. Titus pulled the blankets off me and helped me sit up. I could feel my ears splay out to the sides.

"You look miserable." He cupped my cheek and brushed his thumb along my fur.

Bowing my head, I wrung my tail in my hands. It was the only thing that didn't hurt.

"Come here."

I grunted when he hugged me and helped me stand. My knees and feet were the main source of discomfort. They had changed the most and could barely hold my weight. Titus turned around and squatted. I put my arms around his neck and he stood.

"Alright?"

"No," I muttered. "Just hurry."

Titus carried me out the door. Climbing down the cliff side was scary, but we made it to the bottom without me falling. My arms were shaking, though. Titus noticed and let me down. I didn't even care it was dirt beneath me, I laid down and curled into a ball.

"Oh Aden," he stroked my neck. "You're breaking my heart right now."

"It hurts."

"I know." He gathered me in his arms. "I'm sorry. I wish I could make you feel better."

He stood and propped me up high enough, so I wouldn't get wet as we crossed the river.

"I think I'm a bit bigger in this form," I whispered in his ear.

Titus laughed lightly. "A little bit."

"Do you think I'll be taller as a human?"

Titus shook his head. "You're always taller in werewolf form compared to human."

We reached the other side.

"Do you want to try walking?"

I shook my head. "Not worth it."

"Alright." He carried me the rest of the way to the hot pools.

Finding a shallow place I could rest, Titus set me down. The warm water wrapped around me, and I exhaled slowly. It felt amazing. It was exactly what my body needed right now.

Titus sat beside me and just stared. "You look so beautiful in this form." He leaned over and licked my cheek. "It fit you, reflects your personality well."

"A ravenous wolf?" I muttered, examining the deep red fur on my arm and legs. "It's the same color as Darius."

He nuzzled my neck. "His coat is darker, and you don't need to worry. Among other werewolves you're not intimidating enough to be considered ravenous."

I splashed water at him, but regretted when my shoulder started to ache. "Ow..." I turned toward Titus and buried my face in his chest.

"I think it's best if you don't do anything quick movement for awhile."

"Don't torment me," I muttered. "My body hurts all over."

"I know, I know." He situated me between his legs and started to massage my shoulders.

It hurt. I was cringing through it all, but little by little my muscles started to loosen up. He switched from my back to my legs and that's when it became unbearable.

"Titus stop." I tried to swing them away, but Titus didn't have to do much to keep me from getting away.

"Just grit your teeth, and I'll hurry."

I did so. He massaged the muscles and made me bend my joint. Tears were forming from the pain. This was horrible. If anyone agreed to this just to become a werewolf, they were idiots. Titus was bearly enough of a reason for me to endure this pain.

"How are you feeling?"

I shook my head. Now was not the time to ask. He had just tortured me for over twenty minutes. He leaned over me and licked my muzzle. "I'll leave you alone for a bit."

"Good idea."

Splashing sounded soon after as Titus leaped off the rocks. I slide down into the water and blew bubbles. This sucked. I was supposed be enjoying my honeymoon. The first day was great, the second had turned into hell. I lifted my hand out of the water and examined the short fur and sharp looking claws that had replaced my fingernails. The tip of my tail emerged above the water. The new appendage was still very foreign to me. It didn't seem like it was a part of me.

I heard Titus curse and looked over as he lost his footing and flopped into the water, landing flat on his back. I couldn't help but laugh. He emerged and glanced over at me. Narrowing his eyes, he swam over to me.

"What's so funny?"

"You." I wrapped my arms around my chest. Even though it hurt, I still couldn't stop laughing. "I guess werewolf aren't perfect. They're just as clumsy as humans."

"I doubt that." Grabbing my hand, he pulled me away from the side.

"Titus," I breathed. "I'm not ready yet."

"I'm not going to do anything."

I rested my head on his shoulder as we wandered about the pool.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm getting there."

"Good." He rubbed my back. "Do you want to try changing back to human?"

I shook my head. "I don't feel good enough for that yet."

"Well, we can see how you feel tomorrow. Sound good to you?"

"Sounds amazing," I breathed, closing my eyes and relaxing in my mate's arms.

***

Grabbing Titus's hand, I stepped down from the helicopter. My mate took out the rest of the bags and waved to the pilot. The window ruffled my fur, and I stood close to Titus as the helicopter took off.

He gathered up the bags and held my hand. "Ready?"

I shrugged. "I guess. Knowing my mother, she's been waiting since early this morning to see what I look like."

"Then we better hurry back to the cave."

He led me through the trees, down the path from the helicopter clearing to the cave. This was it. I was officially part of the pack. Hell, I was a werewolf. I had felt better this morning, but even after four days since the transformation, I wasn't ready to go through that kind of pain again to change back to human.

The cave entrance and the pack member came into view ahead. My parents stood at the front with the Alpha.

My mother spotted me. "Aden." She clasped my mouth. "Oh my lord, Aden."

I jogged ahead of Titus and stooped down to hug her.

She stepped back and ran her hands down my arms. "Oh my, look what Titus has done to you."

My mates was taken aback and glanced around the group.

"I'm teasing Titus." She smiled at me. "You're stunning sweetheart."

"Hey look at that," exclaimed Darius, "A fellow red werewolf."

I glared at my new brother-in-law.

"You know from what I hear, when a sub has red marking, it means they're hot head."

My mouth fell open.

"Well then it fit him perfectly." She put her arm around my waist and squeeze me against her side.

"Mom!" I folded my arms and glared at the ground.

"Very fitting," laughed my father. "Come here." He opened his arms for me.

I hugged him. "Are you still okay with this? You're not mad about letting me do it, right?"

He lifted my muzzle. "No. I have an entire pack of werewolves keeping my son safe. There's nothing better than that." He stepped back. "You grew. You're nearly as tall as me now." He put his hand on top of my head.

"He so soft too." My mother looped arms with me.

"Mom," I hissed.

"What? Titus's fur never felt like this."

I glanced at my mate who was laughing alongside his brother. All my in-laws were sporting grins actually.

"Sub's fur is a bit finer," said the Alpha. "You'll love it in the summer Aden. The rest of us will be dying of heat, and you'll be fine."

I sighed. "I'm just screwed during the winter."

"Don't worry, Titus will handle that." Darius nudged his brother.

Titus rubbed his arm and gave me a shrug.

"Alright, alright," said my mother. "Let's stop tormenting him."

"Thank you," I exclaimed.

"Besides, wait until you see the room. I finished it this morning," she said excited.

Titus's face went white. "My room." He ran through the crowd, and it was my turn to laugh. The bachelor cave was no more, especially after my mother had finished with it.

I walked with my parents and the others through the cave.

Titus was standing at the doorway, pulling on his head fur. "My bed, my beautiful bed."

I went to my mate's side as saw the pit was no longer filled with animal hides, but fluffy blankets and pillows.

"Isn't it darling?" She pushed us further inside. "I really fixed this place up."

Dresser instead of crates lined the walls. The book had been placed on shelves instead of sitting in boxes. The frame I had given Titus's for Christmas were on the wall, with photos from our wedding. Everything was very human, and Titus looked defeated. I thought it was nice, though. I personally preferred furniture over broke crates and plastic bins.

My mother noticed my mate's horrified expression and grabbed an album off a desk. "I also had this made for you." She handed it to him.

Titus opened the cover, and it had all of our dating photos in it that he had saved. He smiled and went to sit down in the armchair by the wall to look through it. The two wolves I had carved for him sat on a shelf beside him. All the other animals I had done throughout the years were there as well.

"Do you like it?" she asked, grabbing my hands.

I nodded. "It nice. I especially like those." I motioned to the privacy curtains that had been added to the doorway.

"Well of course," she smiled at me. "No one wants to be doing a certain something," she cleared her throat. "When someone could easily walk by and see."

"Mom," I groaned.

She patted my cheek. "You're fine, Aden. So," she stepped back and waited.

"What?" I glanced around the room and everyone seemed to be waiting for me to do something too.

"Change back." She flicked her hand at me. "Xavier says sometimes the human form can be a bit different as well, and I want to see what my baby looks like."

"Well," I breathed, rubbed the back of my head. "I sort of... funny thing is..."

"He doesn't know how," answered Titus, still looking at the album. "He's been sore the last couple days and hasn't wanted to try."

My mother pursed her lips. "Aden Perri, you may be a werewolf now, but I expect visits. I love this white and red fur combo. It's beautiful, sweetheart, it really is, but I don't think the neighbors are allowed to see you like this."

My shoulders rolled forward. "I know."

She smiled. "We're staying the night, so I want to see you as my hairless son once again come tomorrow morning." She pulled me down to her level and kissed my cheek.

Standing up, I sighed. "Yes ma'am." I had a long night ahead of me.