Kissed by Lightning Ch. 14

Sigh.

"Very good. Now, pull your wolf out to the surface towards you. When you find her, It should feel like a smooth transition. You have to embrace this part of your change to bring her out. Keep breathing. Call for her." Rain's voice was like melted butter on a blueberry muffin. Her mouth watered. She concentrated on calling out to her wolf. 'I sound crazy!' She thought with a mental eye roll.

It took a couple minutes before she felt a shifting consciousness within her mind. It was kind of weird to feel another living conscious inside of you. Kind of made her feel-

Wait!

Stefani frowned. In her mind she felt the beast rising swiftly, an electric animal golden gaze piercing hers. She shivered as the buzzing in her body began, kind of like what happened back at the cave, synapses firing at an alarming speed pushing at the boundaries of her restrain. It was a tugging sensation that sent jolts down her spine.

She stepped back with her eyes shut, trying to calm down the buzzing as well as bring forth the wolf. It felt as though they were intertwined, both rising steadily. Tangled together in a heap of chaos.

"Stefani?" It was Cole's voice in the background that she held on to, in order to push out the cold paralyzing fear spreading in her gut.

"I - don't... It doesn't feel right. Something's wrong." Stefani gasped as sweat began to cover her forehead. She heard a soft growl in her mind, she focused in on it and an image started to form. She saw White. Like snow.

It was all white, the wolf- her wolf. Stefani almost smiled as she kept calling out to her but the tugging feeling squeezed her heart painfully. She stumbled backwards with a gasp. She heard the rustling around her, people getting closer.

"No!" She gasped, halting them in their steps. Rain watched the strain on her face and frowned. Shifting shouldn't feel wrong. It was tricky but not painful. Above them, the clouds darkened, thunder rumbled in the distance.

A long jagged cut ripped down the side of her face as her wolf fought to escape the buzzing energy that held it prisoner. Stefani grit her teeth together, the pain was unexplainable. Everything slowed down around her, she literally felt the wolf tearing out of her skin. She cried out as another scrape ran down her spine and along her legs, bringing her to her knees. Agony flooded her system and her eyes snapped open. Her vision was blurry with dark spots as she heaved for breath.

Rain rushed to her side, kneeled down beside her, using his wolf to try to breach her mind. Cole and Hale rushed to her as well shocked and horrified at what they were watching. The vision of Stefani on her knees, covered in blood, literally being ripped into pieces from the inside was disturbing.

"Stay-Back!" She struggled for breath as blood poured out of her. She could feel the energy she tried so hard to ignore, bubbling upwards, rushing inside her, filling every part of her until it threatened to break free. It was that violent, destructive energy that terrified her. She shut her eyes and saw her wolf spring free, rushing at her. Something inside her snapped and she screamed. Lights burst behind her eye lids. Lighting fell from the sky, hitting a spot near her, startling them.

Stefani's hands clawed at the ground as if she could dig herself out of the agony ripping inside her. Eventually talons grew and fur started to cover parts of her. Anguish stormed through her as more lighting fell from the sky and finally her wolf burst free with a pulse of energy and blinding light that sent everyone flying back.

The white wolf erupted, the shift violent and bloody. She panted furiously, her vision was unfocused and every muscle in her body shook from exertion. She turned her head and saw white bloodied fur. Stefani took a step forward as lighting fell from the sky and hit the ground to her right, causing her to tumble and fall on her belly. She panted rapidly, her heart beating furiously inside her chest. Fear consumed her.

"Stefani!" Three voices seemed to call out her name simultaneously. Cole and Rain were the first to get to her. They both looked at each other in horror and then back at her. Rain couldn't speak as his white wolfed mate lay shivering on the ground covered in her own blood. His wolf howled loudly inside him, begging to be let free to comfort her.

"Stay back!" Rain growled at Raven and the other vampires as they closed in on them. Silence fell over the field and only the pouring rain that fell over them filled it. He sent out thoughts to have the medics waiting at his chambers.

Stefani whimpered, her tail tapped patiently at the ground. Dimly she felt raindrops all over her body and it felt soothing. It helped to center her through the after shocks of the pain.

Rain's eyes glowed brightly as he shifted. In seconds a huge black wolf stood protectively over his mate, glaring at the trespassers.

'Stay away.' He sent out the snarling though to Cole and Hale. Who hesitated but did as he asked, their hands went up. Nothing got between a furious male and his mate. His wild gaze moved to the bloodsuckers. Rain's black wolf paced back and forth as the vampires stepped back.

"Rain-" Cole cut off Raven as he started to speak.

"This is probably a good time to mention that Stefani is Rain's true mate. And this is the first time that his wolf has seen hers. He's feeling a tad over protective, so we all need to back away and give them room. If anyone can help her right now... It's Rain."

Rain stepped closer to his mate, whining softly when she didn't react right away. He nuzzled and licked at the blood on her fur, cleaning her. He bumped his snout against hers, growling softly at her dazed expression.

Speak. Mate.

Stefani lifted her head in a daze and bumped into something black. She growled in defense and without thinking started wiggling away. It took her a second to realize the something-black was Rain in his wolf form. He was massive in comparison to her. She must have been half of his size, maybe less that that.

'At least I'm small as a wolf.' She thought dryly.

Her vision was improving a little but her entire body felt raw as she tried to push through the painful fog in her mind. Her body throbbed painfully but tried to stand on two-erm- four legs-paws but managed only to stand for a couple seconds before her legs gave out under her. Stefani whined loudly. Clearly frustrated.

Rain panted, excited to see his mate moving again. He howled in joy and bumped against her again and licked her. The little white wolf snapped at him, which he dodged expertly. He bounced around her, edging her on. Stefani's wolf growled in annoyance and it took her a couple of tries before she got her feet under her, enough to sit back on her haunches and look around.

Rain was boiling with unexplainable excitement as she looked around with those wide, electric golden eyes with streaks of red. Her ears perked up, catching all the sounds around them. He felt like a little kid with a new toy. Not that she was a toy, females were to be respected. Her tail thumped happily behind her. Rain huffed and puffed and pranced over to sit in front of her. His tongue dropped out of his mouth, giving her a silly grin, as best as a wolf could.

Stefani lifted her backside slightly and looked away from him. Ignoring him, even though he did smell really really good, but focused on the leaves rustling through the trees. Now that the pain and confusion were easing down, she was experiencing a different kind of view of the world. She looked down and saw her furry white paws covered in blood and she wiggled her paws into the soil beneath her. She was acutely aware of some type of small animal moving around in the bushes and her mouth watered. Everything felt new and strange but magical.

Woah! I'm a freaking wolf! The human though amused her and she puffed a little in a chuckling manner.

Cole let out a laugh at Stefani's high poised stance. She acted more like a stuck up pussy cat than a wolf. Hale rubbed the back of his neck, transmitting back to his parents on the situation.

Raven watched the interaction between the wolves and found himself smiling, he could almost read her every emotion through her body language. She was playing hard to get. He could have laughed at Rain's flabbergasted expression. A wolf of his caliber wasn't used to females rebuffing his advances.

Rain growled and bumped his paw along her side gently, trying to get her attention. When that didn't work he jumped back on all fours and circled her.

The wind picked up her scent and brought it to him, enveloping him in everything that was her. He leaned forward and started licking at her bloodied fur, she tensed but after a moment she just let him do as he wished. His keen ears picked up the little purrs escaping her and his wolf happily continued. Secretly, Rain was leaving his scent all over her in any way he could. He chuckled as best as an animal could. He thought he was so sneaky. Although his wolf was adamant about claiming her, he forced the beast to understand that it wasn't the time. So cleaning and comforting her was a happy compromise for them both. She needed their strength and guidance.

Stefani shivered as Rain's wolf tongue moved over this strange new body she found herself in. It was strange but not bad. She could sense her wolf thought it was very, very pleasant. She had a couple quiet minutes to enjoy his soft licking and the cool rain falling over them.

As soon as all that curious energy came, it was gone. Drained out of her in seconds as the tugging sensation inside of her intensified again, coming like a wave and dampening all her senses, until she could only feel, see and hear the buzzing energy inside of her swirling like angry lava. Her body fell forwards and she panted lightly. Rain was startled by the sudden change and nuzzled her again. His golden gaze watched her tenderly, she closed her eyes whimpering and let weariness take her under.

Rain looked up at Hale and for a second an understanding formed between them.

"Let's go." Hale spoke gently.

Rain looked back down at his mate and whimpered at her dead weight. He could hear her labored breathing and even her erratic heart beat. He could also sense the waves of tiredness that came off her body. It concerned his wolf greatly. He huffed and wrapped his jaws around the scruff of her neck and lifted her up. She weighed next to nothing but let out a small whimper. He took careful care of his mate, making sure not to harm her as he carried her back to the great hall.

****************

Katrina kissed her brothers goodbye and watched as they got into the vehicle with a small smile. She stepped over and hugged her mother fiercely, shushing her when she started to complain about her staying. She was eager to check on Stefani's situation and was equally eager to get through this conversation.

"Kella... Are you sure this is what you want? We can still find someone. If you come with us now we can still find you a good mate. This isn't your only choice." Her fathers stern voice warmed her heart, even as she felt it tearing apart. She'd ask the elder and Luciano to let her say goodbye alone for this reason. She had to make her parents understand. Her father looked down at the two most important females in his life and he couldn't help but feel he had failed his little star.

"There won't ever be anyone for me like that. This is the only way."

Her mothers blue eyes were filled with unshed tears as she covered her mouth and hugged her again tightly.

Her father gazed in the direction of the Grand Hall with a tight expression.

"Luciano-"

Katrina felt her body tense as she cut off her father.

"This has nothing to do with him!" She hissed under her breath. She felt her heart squeeze painfully at her blatant lies. Which she knew they both saw through. The pity was clear as their emotions filtered into her.

"You haven't told him." Her mothers sad voice made shivers run down her spine. Katrina squared her shoulders, looked up at her parents as her decision crystalized inside her. Some part of her grew hard and cold at that moment when she finally realized she made a decision.

Before the year was up, she'd go through the claiming ceremony and join the Sacred Maidens.

"I've made my choice. Please let Katrok and Joshua know. Have all the arrangements made. I'll be home soon. I love you both." Katrina leaned up to give her father a kiss on the cheek. He wrapped his arms around her small curvy body and whispered all the beautiful things every daughter wanted to hear. Her mother cried silently as she wrapped her arms around her too.

"Thank you." Katrina whispered.

**************************

Stefani became aware with a jolt. Her eye lids popped open in confusion. She felt the soft silky sheets beneath her but couldn't quiet figure out how she got there. She opened her mouth to yawn. Startled as her tongue moved over something sharp, too sharp, she sat up sharply. Looking down she saw white paws firmly planted on the mattress beneath her, instead of the human skin she was accustomed to. She yelped, skidding back and tumbling down the bed and crashing onto the night stand. Growling at the stupid table. The skittish, nervous wolf bounced up on all fours backing away from the bed, her senses bombarded by thousands of new sensations. She shook her snout, trying to clear up the junk in her head. She felt something pushing at her mind, fighting her for dominance.

She looked around the room, feeling trapped and panicked. She bumped against something flat. Must be a door. Stefani didn't even sense Rain awaken until he spoke.

"Breathe. Little wolf. Just breathe." His voice felt like warm honey and captivated her every attention. Her entire frame shivered and swayed slightly as she listened to what he said and focused on her breathing. She looked up and finally noticed him. He was sitting up on the bed, the sheets half tossed off his body. Even in this animal form, she could appreciated the magnificent specimen of male perfection that was Rain O'Faolain. Her wolf seemed to agree. The word 'Mine' whispered through her foggy mind..

"That's a good girl. Stay Calm. I know it all feels strange and new but you've gotta trust me. I need you to sit back and just listen to my voice okay. I can sense how confused you are and--

Rain didn't get to finish as the door across the room swung open and a very grumpy vampire stood in it's place, startling both of them. Stefani's body moved without thought, holding her stance, her shackles raised and she hissed. Unbidden fury ripped through her. The wolf side of her was full in control as it hissed furiously at the intruding vampire.

Stefani's human mind tried to make the connection that it was Raven, she shouldn't be hissing at him but every nerve in her body felt raw and new, every sound spooked her, his loud entrance had set her on edge and her body was only reacting in defense. Raven only straighten his shoulders and looked down at her, his gaze was soft as if she didn't faze him at all. He stepped forward and Stefani felt her body whooshing forward towards him, teeth bared. She met empty air where he should've been and only managed to bump into a wall- hard.

Rain winced at the wolf's clumsy attempts and grinned as she got back on all fours and looked for the elder who was now across the room from her. She bared her teeth and he felt his chest tighten as her canine teeth elongated and took on a longer thinner shape, closer to that of a vampire fang. Odd. But sexy.

"Be calm! He means you no harm little wolf. Think for a moment." Rain stood and stood in front of the elder, blocking Stefani's view of the object of her aggression. His hands were extended forward in a peaceful manner but rage consumed Stefani's vision. A blood thirst she couldn't quench. Her loud growling filled the room.

"Leave us!" Rain hissed in Raven's direction. Hoping that the elder would trust him to do the right thing. Raven puffed up a little and in a blinding second was gone, with the door closed behind him.

"Stefani! You must sooth your wolf. Reason with her. Be calm!" He never raised his voice while he tried to reason with her. He took note of the way her hackles raised and her whole body vibrated with aggression. It been a while since he dealt first hand with such an a erratic pup.

Stefani tried to sooth the spinning in her mind that demanded blood but with no target, the blood lust seemed to spin out of control. It frightened her to think she could hurt someone. To hurt Rain. She had to get out! Away! Her eyes seemed to plead him for a second before she let out a piercing howl and dashed forward, expecting him to move, her body hurled out, crashing through the balcony doors.

Rain's surprise took only a second before he threw himself out behind her, shifting in mid air. His frustrating little mate wasn't going to escape him that easily.

Silly mate, Alpha loves a good chase.

Stefani was a blur through the darkened woods. She didn't know where she was headed but her paws were moving on their own. She knew Rain was right on her tail, he was much larger and she was still weak but he let her continue running, sensing it was what her wolf needed. She was grateful for it.

She came to a halt clumsily and tumbled over her own feet. Rain huffed in amusement and bumped against her to help her back up. She could dimly sense his laughter in her mind. She growled.

'You must be the clumsiest wolf ever.' Rain's soft voice floated into her head. She huffed and made a point to ignore the huge beast. She realized they were at Rain's cabin.

He brought her here once, when she'd first come to the compound. Shared a piece of his history with her. The little enchanting cabin seemed magical under the moonlight. The green moss covering the small house helped it blend into it's woodland surroundings.

Rain shifted and stood proudly in all his naked glory, which made Stefani look anywhere but him.

"We've come full circle then, little wolf." He spoke as he gazed at the cabin fondly. He went and opened up the door and waited for her to come inside before closing it. Stefani's wolf was on full alert, her ears perked up taking up every noise. She found herself amazed at all her new senses. Rain simply ushered her into the bedroom and sprawled himself on his kingsized bed.

That bed, she remembered quiet well. Stefani remembered kissing him and the way his touch made her burst in flames. She'd also met his wolf officially for the first time on that bed. Completely terrifying her but even back then she'd found herself totally ensnared by him. Rain patted the spot next to him and she yawned loudly before hopping up on the bed next to him.

"You're tired. You can rest now. You'll be safe here." He whispered as he moved on his side and dragged her whole wolf body next to his. She made a little puffing noise at being told to go to bed but she found the adrenaline rush from earlier leaving her in a rush. She still couldn't find her voice. Couldn't verbally tell him to piss off and stop ordering her around.

"Don't argue with me. Sleep little wolf. I got you." Rain took a long deep breath. Taking in her beautiful mixed vampire-wolf strawberry scent. His wolf paced, growling with need but Rain would not let his wolf ruin another moment on this beautiful bed. It only took a couple minutes before Stefani let sleep take her under. Rain spent most of the night running his fingers through her white fur and listened to her purr.

*******

Stefani was aware. She opened her eyes to blinding light. It took a second before her eyes adjusted and she realized it was a dream. The woodland seemed ominously quiet around her. Sitting up and looking down at her hands, she saw perfectly smooth human skin. Stefani looked up meeting her own electric gold eyes reflected in the body of a pure white wolf.