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Alice, you have to try shifting now. If it doesn’t happen today, don’t worry. It will only mean you are a late bloomer, so we will try again once every full moon," Alpha Denzel said softly.

He did not want to rush her or anything, and besides, there was no urgent need for it if not for her recognizing her mate.

Alice smiled. Just as her mates were shifting and getting their wolves, this was her greatest wish as well, but she felt lost for a moment.

"How do I go about it?" She asked innocently. Alpha Denzel was lost for words. Usually, they just try, so he did not know which cue to give her.

"Maybe you should try communicating with your wolf first through mindlink." Then he remembered something and rather suggested.

"You could as well look into the lake. I advise you to remove your clothes since we don’t have any emergency ones here, and don’t worry, I’m not going to watch or anything.

I will turn around and walk away. If you are successful, just growl to alert me.

If not, just put your clothes back on and call my name. "

Alice understood the instruction and nodded her head, wishing she had come with Luna Valerie because of how shy she felt around her Alpha but understood why Alpha Denzel had to come along instead.

Luna Valerie was pregnant and would not hesitate to use her powers if anything goes wrong.

"Okay. I will remember the cues," she agreed.

Alpha Denzel was not expecting her to refuse anyway. Not saying anymore, he did just as said, turning and walking away.

Alice was left alone by the lake but comforted herself in the fact that Alpha Denzel was not too far away and would come to her aid if she called for him.

Still, she was lost as to what to do at the moment, dumbfounded and disturbed, before taking an interest in the lake and staring into it.

Her image appeared inside the lake, and she smiled. She was beautiful, hoping to find her mate soon.

At the thought of her mate, she remembered Beta Burke. He was kind and gentle, always being there for her and teaching her a lot of things.

He was at least five years older, which felt like a minus, but all things being equal, he was a strong and handsome warrior, hunky and smart.

Sometimes, she felt like a villain for her happiness at knowing that he hadn’t found his mate.

Alice cursed herself internally, thinking of how to handle her disappointment if Beta Burke was not her mate or if he found his mate later.

Would she be jealous? Yes. Her hand touched the water when her attention shifted to the task Alpha Denzel gave her, causing her image to disappear.

Sighing, she stood on her feet but was instantly interrupted by a voice that seemed to come from inside her head.

"Alice."

Alice was dumbfounded, feeling like she was dreaming. She looked into the lake again, but before she could register what she was seeing inside, pain began to rip through her body, as if it no longer belonged to her.

It was gushing and even more painful than she felt with her burns. A shrill tore from her throat, and she expected Alpha Denzel to come and save her, but he didn’t, or maybe he left her to her fate.

Just as Alice felt the pain subside, it suddenly grew worse, this time focusing on her bones. She could feel them breaking, and the pain was excruciating. She thought she was going to die when suddenly, her fingers began to extend, and a golden fur began to form on her skin.

The understanding was now clear to her, and at the same time, the transformation was completed, and her wolf spoke again.

’Alice, I’m your wolf. You can call me Aliya.’

’Aliya? You are my wolf?’ Aliya was both excited and surprised, feeling a whirlwind of emotions sweeping through her.

’You sound surprised. Were you expecting somebody else?’ Her wolf asked, slightly disappointed, but Alice explained.

’No. I just was not expecting it to be so painful every time I shift.’ She was thinking about the pain she would have to endure each time she went through a shift and also wondered why the warriors never complained during shift training.

’No. That pain is just for the first time. Henceforth, you shall be able to shift without pain.’

Alice finally relaxed, happy to not endure such pain forever. ’That is great. I have to alert Alpha Denzel. Do you know where he is?’ She suddenly recalled that she passed her test and was eager to get her Alpha’s remark.

’I sense an Alpha wolf close by. Why not mindlink him?’ Aliya said, and Alice did not refuse.

’Sure,’ she replied and mindlinked. ’Alpha, I shifted. My wolf’s name is Aliya.’

Alpha Denzel came out of where he was waiting and was amazed by the transformation. Alice Why did he not think about it before?

Golden wolves were rare, just like Luna wolves. They also carried fire, but then, could it be possible that her wolf could stop the burn that resulted in using her powers?

’You have a legendary wolf, Alice. Congratulations.’ Even through mindlink, she could hear the pride and happiness coating her Alpha’s words, which made her joyful.

’Thank you, Alpha. Can I shift now?’

Alpha Denzel recalled that first shifts never lasted and kept the question he had for her aside. ’I’m leaving. You can shift and put on your clothes before calling me again.’

Alice obliged, and as soon as she shifted, she put on her clothes and excitedly called out for her Alpha.

"Alpha Denzel, I did it," Alice said excitedly. Alpha Denzel smiled. "Yes, Alice, congratulations and happy birthday once more."

"Thank you, Alpha."

They were about to leave when Alpha Denzel remembered what he wanted to ask before.

"Can you try using your powers to see if it will still hurt?"

Alice stiffened slightly before smiling nervously. "There is no harm in trying."