His words reassured me, and I soon found myself calming down, better able to control my body’s reaction to the glow of the moon.
Just then, Dominic raised his head to the full moon above and let out a long, piercing howl. It was a signal to the pack that it was time to shift and run together, celebrating their unity and strength. The pack quickly shed their clothes and shifted, taking off in all directions.
Ty kissed me on the forehead. “Are you ready for your firstrealrun?
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I smiled at him as anticipation shivered through me.
I closed my eyes and allowed my wolf to move forward, no longer holding her back from what she desired. My muscles twitched with anticipation when the familiar feeling of transformation took over. As I shifted, my senses sharpened, allowing me to see and hear with a clarity I had never experienced. My wolf also seemed more alert than she’d ever been before.
I ran through the clearing, not stopping to worry about Ty. My instincts kicked in and the moon was my guide, pulling me deeper into the forest.
The leaves rustled beneath my paws as I ran through the woods, feeling the cool breeze on my fur. Every sound, every scent, was magnified, and the woods came alive around me. I could hear the soft rustling of leaves, the chirping of crickets, the hooting of an owl in the distance.
I kept running and running, the trees passing by in a blur. It was almost as if I didn’t have control over my speed or direction.
Ty growled behind me, like he was telling me to stop.
I couldn’t.
I ran for what felt like hours, though it had probably not been longer than forty minutes, but instead of continuing to streak through the fields and the woods, my wolf came to an abrupt stop.
I panted, trying my best to force oxygen into my burning lungs. My entire being froze. My shift was immediate, and I stood completely naked, trying to take in my surroundings.
I stood in a field of lavender. My nose pricked from the strong scent as my mind whirled, trying to make sense of my location.
My knees shook when I heard, “Liza,” in Ty’s warm rich voice, though it was a whisper from just behind me. I ignored him and continued to walk, stopping in front of the brush of bushes, my breath hitching in my chest as my heart pounded.
“We shouldn’t be here, Liza. It’s not our territory. Let’s go home,” Ty pleaded a little louder, as though he thought I hadn’t heard him call my name. Still, I ignored him.
There was no turning back now.
I didn’t know where I was, but I couldn’t leave.
I had no idea what was leading me or pulling me, but I was on autopilot, neither seeing nor hearing, only feeling as I navigated through the dark woods. The moonlight illuminated my path as my heart beat faster and harder with a sense of anticipation.
My hands instinctively reached out, caressing the trees as I passed. They seemed to be singing to me, welcoming me. The wordshome, home, homeechoed like a siren in my mind, calling me to where I needed to be. To where I wasmeantto be.
The moon seemed to shine even brighter as it rose higher in the sky, casting a silvery light on the trees and illuminating the path ahead of me. The night was alive with energy, and I felt strangely connected to the earth beneath my feet.
Suddenly, images filled my head. I was running through these exact trees while a beautiful woman with my face chased me. She laughed and told me that princesses weren’t meant to get so dirty, but her smile was wide, and she wasn’t chastising me. She loved seeing her little princess this way, so wild and free.
I frolicked, giggling, leaping high, attempting to grab the tree limbs above me. I was happy and safe.
My breath caught somewhere between my lungs and my throat as I continued to walk. I picked up speed, certain I was getting closer to my destination.
More images popped into my mind. There was a bright full moon. Several people sat in its glow, feasting and laughing together. I sat in the middle of the table, surrounded by love.
A handsome man leaned down and spoke in a soft voice, telling me how blessed they had been with their princess, their honor, and their joy.
A sob escaped my throat, and tears streamed unbidden down my cheeks. I could sense Ty walking by my side, but he no longer tried to stop me. He had to know it was no use. Something greater was happening here.
I broke into a run as several more memories flooded back into my mind. They came in waves, almost overwhelming me. Clutching my chest, I squinted, trying to see where I was going through the tears that wouldn’t stop coming.
I broke through the trees and fell to my knees. My emotions overwhelmed me because I finally understood where I was. I wasn’t lost at all. I knew exactly who those people were in my memories and in the dreams that had haunted me since the age of four.
I remembered everything as I stared at the house in front of me. It wasn’t quite the same as my old one. The coloring was different, but the design was the same.
It was a home fit for a royal family. A home fit formy family.
