Amory’s Mate

Ryeleigh I am about to shift for the first time, and I could not be more excited and scared. I have dreamed of my first shift since I was a little girl. The feel of my fur, the change in my senses, and coming into my powers, finally. It is also the moment I will learn the identity of my life mate, or if I will be alone. Within the transformation, I should see the animal that will complete mine. If I see nothing, that means that my animal’s soul mate has died. The Norns decide before your birth who will complete you, however things happen and some do not make it to adulthood. Norns choose mates by taking a soul and splitting it, allowing it to grow and form two separate souls. When the soul bond is activated on the first shift, the echo of the other half is strong, and a soul is only complete when the two are united. The Norns are sister Elves that shape the lives and destinies of all living things in the Nine Realms of Yggdrasil. Queen of the Light Elves Skuld the Norn that sees the

Ryeleigh A loud voice coming from the screen quiets the room and asks us to stand. Amory Cruz in his ceremonial robe, looking regal and a true Alpha example of the perfect shifter. We are not raised thinking of the Amory like a god; however, in this situation, it feels as if he is. With equal parts fear and amazement, the crowd quiets to a soft purr. “Welcome family, friends, clans, and alphas, to the beginning of these adult shifters’ lives. Today, you will pledge to help guide and nurture these shifters in a world that can be magical and scary. We will hold you to this pledge by shifter laws. As we go forth, please support these adults as they meet their animal.” As the crowd repeats the pledge, a rise in power fills the room. “We begin with the Story of Ragnarök. Ragnarök was the war between the Light and Dark shifters. Two groups that came from the original shifters, including the first Arcas, the son of Skuld and Myrkalfr, creators of the shifter race. Arcas was not just the fi

CormacShe has been the focus of my dreams, clean and not for years now. The problem is she is my best friend’s sister and, even though Bram might trust me, I will never be good enough for her. Now, knowing she is my fated mate, she should also know. Her dad is an Alpha, and her mom is an alpha level Luna. They have their own clan and have always loved me and treated me like one of the family. As I touch her hand, she shutters, and my bear roars to know this is his mate. Yet, when she looks at me, she shows no effect on the nearness. I lean down to smell her neck and tense. “Rye, what’s wrong? What did you change into?” I saw her wolf but her smell is off almost reptilian smelling. She stiffens and does not answer. I turn her around so fast she looks a little green. “Rye, answer me. Your smell is not right. Maybe it is my nose; I can smell an unknown shifter class on you. Do I smell like that too?” We are still in our robes and I guide her to the locker room to change. She leans in

Ryeleigh “Mom, Dad wants me to stay here with Ryeleigh because he needs to talk to you. We will protect her. Cormac is a bear and I have a feeling he could hold down the fort single-handedly.” I smile as my brother talks about his best friend. Even Bram’s mind is fluttering. I cannot get a read on either of them. My mother, however, is an open book and her fear is palpable. “You better not leave her side. Even though it is yet to be confirmed, I am certain she is the Amory. Protect her with your life.” My mother leaves, but in her wake, I can feel the inevitability of her feelings as the others process the information. Shaking from head to toe in dread, I look down, smelling blood. I cannot feel the pain, so I inspect my body to find where I am bleeding. “Damn it, Rye, you cut yourself. You really hate me that much? Mom just said to keep you safe, she is going to kill me if you do not heal quick.” Struggling in his grasp as he tries to find the blood, I see the cut on my arm, and i

ErikLooking down at Bram, Raven and Marshall, “Bram, go check on the Amory. That is your job as the horsemen whether or not I am around. No one leaves her alone. We are at war. Once people know of her, she will be in danger. The rest of you get some sleep, because you won’t get much in for the next few months.” Bram, the non-shifted brother. I get a strong smell of canine. I can feel his animal trying to come through from Yggdrasil, he will need a ceremony quickly. I do not even need to look back as I pass through the hall past her room and smile when I hear her door shut. Yup, good dog. His bond with his sister will strengthen his allegiance, and I trust he will do what is needed to keep Ryeleigh safe. I need to find Fen and see when we leave. I do not mind being here, but we need to get started with training.Cormac, that bear shifter, has my animal enraged; I do not know who he thinks he is, but he is lucky I did not challenge him for slamming into me. Jormungandr is my title and t