Page 46 of Psycho Shifters

He stood nearly as tall as the shortest coniferous trees. Thick, shaggy black fur covered his entire body. Long, dagger-like claws decorated both his feet and hands, and massive black spines poked out from his back like armor.

He must have been over five thousand pounds.

Ascher turned next. Unlike Jax, his entire body didn’t change.

Ascher grew taller until he stood a few feet shorter than Jax. His black horns tripled in size, and they jutted off a massive ram’s head. His torso expanded and bulked up but for the most part, looked the same, unlike his legs, which were covered in thick brown fur and ended in hooves.

Ascher resembled a creature depicted in the rumored god realm. He was a horrifying rendition of a devil ram, brought to life. His nostrils chuffed out air, and my stomach cramped.

I never knew a ram could be so terrifying.

Finally, Cobra changed.

Unlike the other two, only his eyes were physically transformed. It was clear, however, how he’d gotten his name.

Hundreds of snake shadows wrapped themselves around Cobra’s pale skin.

His emerald eyes changed shape on his face until massive snake eyes glared out at the world.

Slit pupils glowed on his otherwise normal face.

The shadowy snakes writhed around, quivering black masses that flashed across his pale skin.

I stared at the three alphas in shock.

Jax was a monstrous bear, Ascher was a freaky ram, and Cobra had shadow snakes.

Somehow, it made perfect sense. Still, it was bizarre to see them transform with my own eyes.

Jax roared, and I jumped at the guttural sound.

Alpha shifted forms were more terrifying than I could have ever imagined.

I couldn’t envision the beasts they fought against. From far away, a menacing sound shook the forest.

I was screwed.

SADIE

SHIFTING INTO A BEAST

Cobra stood still and stared at me. The shadow snakes writhed across his pale skin, and I backed away from him.

Wariness crept through me at the sight of the snakes. They were unnatural.

Jax gave a soft roar that commanded me to follow behind him and stay close. I didn’t know how I knew what he was saying, but I just did.

Jax turned, and the nearest betas stumbled backward, away from him. His claws and teeth were monstrous.

He was built for mauling.

The ground shook, and the wind shifted slightly. The scents of black tar and something unidentifiable tickled the back of my throat.

It burned.

Whatever made that smell didn’t belong in the forest; it wasn’t from the shifter realm. My stomach twisted as I thought about the fae creature that emitted such a pungent scent.

Ten betas jogged over in a line behind each of the alphas. Jax tossed his head behind him, and I nodded in understanding.