The forest near La Push felt different tonight.

Colder.

Quieter.

The pack stood scattered through the clearing — huge wolves pacing slowly between the trees, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim moonlight. They were waiting.

Waiting for you.

You stood at the edge of the clearing, heart pounding so loudly you were sure everyone could hear it.

Your hands trembled.

“I… I don’t know if I can do this,” you admit softly, rubbing your arms nervously. “What if something goes wrong?”

Across from you, Embry stood in human form, leaning casually against a tree. But the moment you spoke, he straightened, his expression immediately softening.

He walks over, stopping just in front of you.

“Hey,” Embry says gently. “Nothing’s gonna go wrong.”

You shake your head a little. “You don’t know that…”

“I do,” he insists, smiling slightly. “Because we’re all here.”

Behind him, the massive wolves of the pack shift restlessly, watching but giving you space.

You glance at them nervously.

“They’re all staring,” you whisper.

Embry chuckles quietly. “Yeah. They’re curious.”

You groan softly. “Great. No pressure or anything.”

Embry steps a little closer, lowering his voice.

“Listen,” he says. “Your first shift is scary for everyone. I thought I was dying when it happened to me.”

You blink at him. “Seriously?”

“Oh yeah,” he laughs. “Full panic mode.”

That makes you smile faintly.

But the fear still lingers.

You take a slow breath, looking up at him.

“Embry… what if I lose control?” you ask quietly.

His expression turns serious.

“You won’t.”

“How do you know?”

He hesitates… then shrugs lightly.

“Because I’ll be right here if you do.”

Your chest tightens a little at that.

Embry had been the first one to welcome you when you arrived.

He showed you the borders of the territory, explained pack rules, stayed patient when you didn’t understand anything.

And somewhere along the way…

You started to like him.

A lot.

You swallow nervously.

“Okay,” you say, trying to steady yourself. “Okay… I think I’m ready.”

But your hands are still shaking.

Embry notices.

Without thinking, he gently takes your hand.

“You got this,” he says softly.

Your heart skips.

Then suddenly—

Heat surges through your body.

Your back arches as the shift begins.

Bones crack.

Your breath catches in panic.

“Embry—!” you gasp.

He immediately steps closer.

“Hey! Hey, it’s okay!” he calls calmly. “Just breathe!”

Pain ripples through you as the transformation takes hold.

You stumble forward, terrified.

“I can’t— it hurts—!”

Embry’s voice stays steady.

“You’re doing it! Just let it happen!”

The pack watches silently as your first shift finally begins.

And Embry refuses to move from your side.