Page 27 of Shift Happens
“So you’re the human who’s captured our son’s attention,” Arnold said, his tone revealing little of his thoughts on the matter.
“Dad,” Milo warned softly.
Lucia stepped forward, placing a hand on her husband’s arm. “What my mate means is that we’re pleased to finally meet you. Milo speaks of you constantly in his reports.”
“Reports?” I glanced at Milo, who looked slightly embarrassed.
“Part of my human integration research,” he explained. “I’ve been documenting my experiences. You feature prominently.”
“All good things, I hope,” I said, attempting to lighten the moment.
“Very good things,” Lucia assured me with a smile that reminded me of her son’s. “Though I understand you run a store selling picture books?”
“Comic books,” I corrected gently. “Graphic storytelling with both artistic and literary merit.”
Arnold made a sound that might have been skepticism, but Lucia looked genuinely interested. “Milo has brought some home. The artwork is quite remarkable.”
“You should visit the store sometime,” I offered, then glanced at Milo to ensure I hadn’t overstepped. “If that would be appropriate.”
“We’d like that,” Lucia said before her husband could respond. “Wouldn’t we, Arnold?”
The older man gave a noncommittal grunt that his wife seemed to interpret as agreement.
Chapter 13
Over the next half hour, I was introduced to more pack members than I could possibly remember—cousins, friends, elders whose roles Milo whispered to me as we moved through the gathering. Some were openly curious, others more reserved, but none were outright hostile. Several offered food—which I accepted as instructed—and asked surprisingly normal questions about my business, my family background, and how I’d met Milo.
I carefully edited the “thunderstorm rescue” story to focus on helping a lost packmate rather than discovering Milo’s shifter nature, which seemed to earn approving nods from the older members.
As twilight deepened toward night, a subtle change came over the gathering. Conversations grew quieter, movements more purposeful. Several people began to drift toward the edge of the clearing, removing clothing with casual lack of self-consciousness that reminded me of Milo’s attitude toward nudity.
“The moon will rise soon,” Milo explained quietly. “Those who prefer to shift immediately are preparing.”
“What about you?” I asked, aware that he must be feeling the pull as well.
“I’ll stay with you through the welcoming ceremony,” he said. “Then shift after. Is that okay?”
“Of course,” I assured him. “Whatever makes this easiest for you.”
Sadie approached again, now holding what appeared to be a ceremonial goblet. “It’s time,” she announced. “The moon rises. Finn, please join me by the central fire.”
Milo squeezed my hand encouragingly before releasing it. I followed the alpha to the largest fire pit, where several elders had gathered in what was clearly a formal arrangement. The rest of the pack formed a loose circle around us, their attention focused on the ceremony about to unfold.
“Tonight we welcome Finn Reed, brought to us by Milo of our pack,” Sadie announced, her voice carrying easily across the clearing. “He comes as a potential mate, a human who has accepted our brother’s dual nature and seeks understanding of our ways.”
She turned to me, offering the goblet. “Drink from our cup, share in our communion, and be recognized by the pack.”
I took the vessel carefully, noting the dark liquid inside. Milo had warned me about this part—a symbolic sharing of essence, though thankfully not blood as I’d initially feared, but a mixture of herbs and wine with ritual significance.
Meeting Sadie’s gaze briefly, I lifted the cup and drank. The liquid was surprisingly pleasant—earthy and rich, with an underlying sweetness. I returned the goblet with a slight bow.
“The human drinks freely from our cup,” Sadie acknowledged. “Now, Milo, present your token of intent.”
Milo stepped forward, reaching into his backpack to withdraw a small wooden box. He opened it to reveal what appeared to be a carved figurine—a wolf and human standing side by side, rendered in dark wood with remarkable detail.
“I offer this symbol of dual existence,” he said formally. “As I walk in both worlds, so does my heart’s choice. I ask the pack to recognize my intent toward this human.”
Sadie accepted the carving, examining it before passing it to the elders for inspection. “The token is worthy,” she declared.“Now we ask: does any member challenge this declaration of intent?”
