How To Shift For Beginners Novels & Stories

Halfway down the stretch, I calmly say, “Switch in thirty.” She turns to me quickly. “Switch what? Switch WHAT?!” “You take the wheel,” I reply. “Left hand on the column, right on the shifter.” “I am not cut out for this, you reckless idiot!” she screams. “That’s what all rookies say,” I shout back over the roar. As we hit the straightaway, I loosen my grip just enough to signal her. “Ready?” “No!” “Great,” I say, guiding her hand to the wheel, just a gentle nudge because timing is everything.

“Clutch first. Left foot.” His hand brushed my knee. I pushed down, and my pulse kicked up. “Good. Turn the key.” The engine snarled to life, rumbling deep. "Wow." He laughed softly. “See? Simple. Shift to first.” I jerked the stick, and the gears ground harshly. “Fuck,” I muttered, my heartbeat increasing. He chuckled softly. “Try again. Feel it slot in.” His hand guided mine, warm, clicking it smooth. The car jolted forward. I cursed under my breath.

They shift back breathing heavily, before shifting again, groaning and whimpering at the pain. Newly shifted juveniles aren't used to shifting back and forth yet. They still feel the pain of their bones breaking when they shift. Having them shift back and forth will help them get used to it, to the point where they feel no pain from shifting. But right now their shift is slow. They'll have to shift back and forth until they're able to shift within a split second. "When will we start the real training? I'm tired of doing this every day." One of the young males says, breathing heavy, leaning over resting his hands on his knees.

In the way his breath slows. “Now move,” I say. “Slow steps. Feel the ground.” He steps forward. Then back. Then to the side. “Again,” I instruct. “Do not rush.” He moves. His balance wavers. “Stop,” I say. He freezes. “Your weight is too far forward,” I add. “Shift it back. Feel your heels.” He adjusts. “That is better,” I say. We continue like this. Small movements. Corrections. Words kept soft but firm.

Once I’ve removed my t-shirt and sports bra, I quickly call my wolf forward. My vision goes shimmery and I feel the familiar surge of energy as my bones snap and rearrange, and in a few seconds I’m down on all fours, shaking out my fur. When I first learned to shift, the transformation was painful. Now, it’s second nature. I barely feel a thing. I glance down at the soft earth under my tan paws, stretch, then circle back to the path.

It was the middle of winter, but there was no snow at the moment. We swapped seats and I looked around, getting used to my new view. I'd never even actually been in the driver's seat of a car before! Dad got serious and said, “okay put your right foot on the brake, and push it. See how that feels? Okay, now hold it in, and take this gear shift push in the side button and put it on ‘R’. Now, slowly let go of the brake a little bit…” As I did, the car jerked and I slammed the brakes back on.

When they are done, Lady Camille indicates we can begin to shift. "Ready, Baby?" "Yeah, what do I do?" "Just relax and let your mind move to the back. Let Lex take control. Like I said earlier, it's going to hurt, but don't be afraid. It's only for a minute. As soon as you have shifted Saint and I will too."

"I just wanted to know if you'd like to learn how to drive the ATV." I wait a moment for my heart rate to return to normal and for my brain to process his words. "Sure," I say, jumping up and hoping to shake off the weight of my childish thoughts. Ryan straddles the ATV and shows me how to turn it on. A few minutes later, he's driving it around slowly in the yard, showing me how to steer, accelerate, brake, and change gears. "But when will I know that I need to shift?" I ask. "You've never driven stick, have you?"

I didn't want to rush such a thing so I replied meekly, "I'll let it come to me naturally." As if suddenly reminded, I winced, "Oh, but I don't know how to shift. Like...how do you do it?" He chuckled softly, radiating the whole place in warm hues, "You should let that come naturally too." I gave him a death glare to which he laughed heartily before saying, "I am serious tho. You might find it difficult initially but soon you'll get the hang of it. Just close your eyes, call out to your wolf, and give her the reins."

"Yeah. One day." The training field was quiet and vacant when we got there, not that I was expecting anyone to be here so early. Only the whisper of wind in the tall grass and the crunch of our boots filled the air. Levi stepped ahead, turning to face me. He placed his hands on his hips, and proceeded to take a stance. "Today, we’re going to work on partial shifting," he said. "Specifically, claws." "Without turning into a furball?" I asked, raising a brow.