Page 22 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

"Nice to meet you,"I managed, extending a hand that Raylene regarded as if it were a questionable offering.

"Charmed,"she said flatly, ignoring my hand as she turned away, her silver hair swaying with the motion. The dismissal was apparent, and I withdrew, a knot forming in my stomach.

"Don't mind her,"Eva whispered, tugging me gently away. "Raylene has her own...way of things. She's lucky that Ajax wasn't around. He would never allow such disrespect."

"Idon't want to cause any problems. I'll try to steer clear of her," Imuttered, but a smile tugged at my lips. I was grateful for Eva's support.

"Exactly,"Eva giggled, her laughter a soothing balm. "Now, let's find someone less thorny."

As we moved through the crowd, the sting of rejection softened, overshadowed by the pack's welcoming embraces and curious questions. Each new face and shared story wove a thread of connection that pulled me closer until soon I was smiling and feeling welcomed again.

The forest hummed with a sacred silence as we approached the moonlit clearing. My skin prickled with anticipation, and my breath came out in soft, misty puffs against the chill of the night air. I followed closely behind Eva, her confident stride a sharp contrast to the fluttering in my stomach.

"Shh,"she whispered, holding up a hand. "We're here."

The time had come. I could see Ajax standing in the middle of a clearing. The trees opened up to reveal a congregation of umbrae. Their heads bowed in reverence under the celestial glow of the full moon. The ritual was already underway, the air thick with the scent of pine and an underlying current of raw power that was both intimidating and awe-inspiring.

I stood at the edge, a silent observer of the intimate ceremony. Their voices rose in a haunting chant, and even though I couldn't understand the words, the meaning was clear—this was a prayer, an offering of themselves to the Moon Goddess. Their unity was palpable; it transcended the simple notion of community, speaking of bonds as ancient as the stars overhead.

Ajax stood at the forefront, his voice clear and resonant as he led the pack in their homage. His presence was commanding, yet there was a gentleness in the tilt of his head towards the sky, an unspoken trust that their deity would guide and protect.

Tears tingled at the corners of my eyes, not from sadness but from the overwhelming sense of belonging that enveloped me. Here, beneath the silver gaze of the Moon Goddess, I felt the first threads of connection weaving me into the fabric of this new world—a world where loneliness might finally release its hold on me.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the pack members lifted their faces to the moon, and for a brief moment, I imagined her smile shining down upon us all. Then Ajax called my name, and the pack turned to where I was standing one by one. I'd never felt so exposed in my life. For a moment, I was frozen in terror. Eva had briefly explained to me about the ancient ritual. She reminded me that umbrae are very sexual beings. I knew that… obviously. But I was scared. I wasn’t used to being sexual, let alone having something happen in front of others.

"Come,"he said softly, walking to where I'd been standing and reaching out a hand. I took it without hesitation, his warmth a beacon in the crisp night. He led me back to the center of the pack. The moonlight shone the brightest at that spot. The moment I embraced its light, some of my fear dissipated.

"Moon Goddess,"Ajax spoke, addressing her as if she stood beside us. "I present Mazie Green, an umbra, and my mate."

There was a rustling about the pack, but I only had eyes for Ajax. His umbra was radiating from within. I could feel its dominance and claim. Ajax spoke of the symbiotic relationship between shifters and nature. He explained how the earth's energy flowed through us, how every blade of grass and drop of water was part of an intricate dance of life that we were privileged to be a part of.

"We offer our respect and vow to protect this pack. Our strength comes from the land, and in turn, we must safeguard its sanctity."

It was a profound lesson, one that resonated deep within me. I thought of my journey and how the scars of abandonment and the ache of never genuinely fitting in had shaped me. And here, in this tranquil haven, I found a peace I hadn't known I craved.

Yet, I'd changed in the time I'd spent with the umbrae. The forest was a symphony of rustling leaves and distant birdcalls as Ajax stood before me, his frame silhouetted by the dappled sunlight that broke through the canopy. My heart raced with a strange cocktail of fear and anticipation.

He stripped off his clothing, uncaring that he was naked in front of his pack. In a flash, he transitioned from man to umbra. His spine elongated, his nails grew into sharp claws, and his body was coveredin light blue fur. I heard his voice clearly inside my mind for the first time, as if he had spoken it aloud.

"Focus, Mazie,"Ajax's voice was calm, grounding. "Remember, it's about letting go, not forcing the change. Don't think about the pack. Please keep your eyes on me. I am your alpha, your mate."

I nodded, my bare feet sinking into the soft earth. My eyes locked on his, and I removed my clothing. I wish I could have said I wasn't worried about what others might be thinking. I wasn't a thin girl. I made my living as a plus-size influencer. That didn't mean I felt comfortable being naked in front of a crowd.

"Focus, Mazie,"Ajax snapped through our mental connection. "Just you and me."

I blocked everything and everyone else besides Ajax. His massive umbra was in front of me, protecting me. I felt my connection to the earth beneath my toes. The forest's energy hummed along my skin, and I closed my eyes, trying to tap into the primal instinct that was part of my very essence but had been dormant for so many years. I had become more used to the shift from human to umbra, but never in front of others.

"Feel your umbra,"he continued, his tone both a command and an encouragement.

I breathed deeply, the scent of pine and damp soil filling my lungs. I envisioned my umbra, an entity within me that was both me and something entirely other. I could sense her strength and power—a silent roar in the quiet of my soul.

"Let her come forward,"Ajax said.

And then it happened—a ripple through my body, a shudder of energy surging from my core. My bones shifted, mymuscles contorted, and the world grew vast. Before I knew it, I was covered in light blue fur—my senses heightened, every color vibrant, every whisper of the wind a cacophony.

"Good,"Ajax's voice was deep, resonant in a way I'd never heard before. But even more than his approval, I felt a surge of triumph within me. I'd done it. I'd shown everyone that I was an umbra."

He drew up to his hind legs and roared, the sound like thundercrackling along the mountain ridge. My umbra followed suit, and I felt—free.

---