"Shifters, unlike humans, are true with their animalistic and carnal nature. They are linked to it, they live with it, they are it. They are the sons of the Earth and Mother Nature and they've been gifted with this duality without which they cannot live... Without which we cannot live."

         Erick looked at the clan members, his voice low and serious. 

      "We are one with our animals and refusing to accept them means denying ourselves. Of course there are cases of shifters refusing all the shifter life altogether, like my son Vicky did... But to deny your animal out of shame?! This is insolent both to them and to yourself. I DO NOT ACCEPT SPECIE SHAMING!!"

          The man's voice echoed into the air, the clan members watching him with attentive but confused gazes. 

        "And I am embarrassed to announce that someone very dear to me had done this. My son and your clan leader, Sirius Yahantov, had blocked his animal and refused to shift, disappointing me... both as his father and former clan leader... but proving how weak he  is as well."

       Sirius flinched from his spot beside his father, feeling Teddy's hand rub his lower back and rest there comfortingly. 

        "This is why now he will shift for the first time and show you all the side which he had been too coward to embrace but which will be stronger than he has ever been. My real son and your true leader... Sirius' shifter."

      Sirius gaze dropped at the ground whilst Teddy looked at the Clan leader with a frown. He understood why the man had to punish Sirius, but that was too much. He could almost see his mate's hurt radiate in black waves around him. He didn't like it.

      "Come forwards,Sirius!" Eirk finally said, stepping aside and coercing his son to walk in front of the clan members. 

      Sirius stole a last glance towards Teddy, breaking away from his touch and nodding expressionlessly towards the crowd.

      "What my father said was completely true and fair. I've been wronging a lot in the past but from today on I'll do everything in my power to make things right. I just hope you'll still think I am worthy of leading you after all of this."

         The cluster of people started to fuss and whisper, most of the warriors snickering and joking around, entertained by Freddy's snarky remarks.

       "Enough!" Erik's voice echoed, making the nosies die down. Then the man nodded towards Sirius,  coercing him to start shifting.

      At his father's signal Sirius breathed in and shut his eyes closed, letting the darkness under his eyelids take over and slacken his senses. He tried to envision his animal and searched for their link but there was only pitch darkness everywhere around.

       "It is not working..." He said in his mind link with Teddy, almost gasping out loud when he saw Baloo appear into his mind  in his animal form. 

       "Follow me!" The bear shifter said, moving his head towards a light to his right and turning around to walk towards it. 

      After realizing he had a spiritual form,Sirius followed his mate, seeing the darkness from behind his eyelids slowly starting to open to a bright meadow. There were blue and red flowers peaking from under the thick waves of grass, at the edge of the meadow tall, mighty pines dressing the bottom of some callous mountains. 

       "Wow!" Sirius gasped, the view being at the same time nostalgic and foreign to him.

       "Let's go!" Baloo whispered softly, loving the amazed look on his mate's face. 

       Sirius rushed after Baloo, following him across the meadow and into the forest where they started taking lots of confusing turns. Soon they reached a cave at the base of the mountain and entered the cavern which was opening underground, walking through pitch darkness before sliding into a rock carved room. 

       "Wha-" Sirius gaped as he walked inside the room, seeing a holo wall rise from the floor of the cave to the bumpy ceiling. 

        "You made it... And you kept your cat locked on the other side."

       Sirius bit his bottom lip, walking closer to the wall and placing his hand on it,making the colors waver around his fingers. 

       "You have to take it down now, Sirius... and as much as I would like to stay and see my other mate, I have to go."

       Sirius nodded, walking in front of Baloo and leaning over, hugging his big head at his chest. The bear growled in pleasure, rubbing his head all over his mate and shaking his leg like a puppy when the later started scratching the back of his ear.
           
       "I love you, Baloo. Both you and Teddy. " Sirius suddenly whispered, making the bear shifter look up at him in shock.

      Baloo placed his paws on Sirius shoulders and pushed him to the ground, hovering over him and licking every ounce of his face.

         "Damn, I wanted to be the one saying it first!" Baloo said with a childish whine, parting his mouth in a huge grin.

       "Say what?" Sirius asked with a smirk walking his hands through Baloo's thick fur.

        "That I love you too! Both of you, even if I haven't met my kitty yet."

         Sirius smiled sadly, standing up and cleaning his clothes of dirt.

      "I am sorry, Baloo! You couldn't meet your other half because of me. But I'll bring him back  to you. I promise!"

       "I have my eternity to spend with both of you, sweet cheeks! Don't sweat on it."

        Baloo licked the back of his mate's hand, standing up at his heigh of 11 feet and pulling Sirius towards his huge chest with his paws. The later looked like a small child in the hands of a monster, trying to cross his arms around the bear's waist but failing miserably.

        Sneakily Baloo let one of his paws slide over Sirius' thick globes, placing it back on his back when his mate groaned in complaint.

       "Pervert!" Sirius muttered with a chuckle, waiting for Baloo to stand back  on four before placing a kiss on top of his wet nose.

      "Go back, Baloo! I am ready to make things right!"
     
     Baloo smirked, turning around and starting to walk out of the cavern.

      "Destroy that wall like you've destroyed Teddy's arse, mate!"

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