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My wolf was clawing at my chest, begging to get free. Right now, I needed to focus on the task at hand. When we were back in human form, I could ask Kyle what was going on. Quickly, I removed the tie and unbuttoned the shirt I was using as a dress.
It didn’t take much urging to unleash my wolf. She was impatient, practically knocking me over in her hurry to shift. The movements felt more familiar this time, easier even. My body bent and rippled, the change taking over quickly. A moment of discomfort was quickly replaced by a rush of relief. I was on all fours, feeling the breeze ruffle my fur.
I felt free and at peace, my wolf sending waves of gratitude through me. It was as if she’d been begging to be unleashed and I’d ignored it. But I didn’t realize that was how she felt. Now that I was in wolf form, I could sense what she wanted more. I could also sense Kyle better.
The fear was clearer now. It wasn’t for him; he was worried about me.
Kyle’s wolf took off at a run and I didn’t hesitate to join him. After a brief lap around the grass, we returned to where Sheila and Malcolm were waiting. My wolf whined, resisting my desire to return. It was harder than I thought to reign her in. Eventually, she yielded, and I was able to return to my human form. Next to me, Kyle also initiated the change. The two of us stood naked and panting from the exhilaration of running as wolves. Going between the two forms so quickly was more challenging than I anticipated.
“Well done,” Sheila said. “I’m impressed. It’s one thing to shift and run all night, but the true sign of strength is the ability to shift when needed and return quickly to human form.”
“I’ve never done it quite that quickly before,” Kyle said.
I recalled when he’d chased me through the woods. That was a quick turn, but I wasn’t going to bring that up. I knew neither of us wanted to go back to the past. Then, I recalled Kyle’s concern for me. I couldn’t feel it now, in his human form.
I pulled my shirt on, then turned to him. “What are you worried about?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, pausing with one leg in his pants.
“I could feel it. You’re afraid for me.”
He tugged on his pants. “Of course, I am. You’re preparing to overthrow a monarch and a tyrant. Anything could happen.”
“I know,” I said. “That’s why I have all of you to help me prepare.”
Sheila was holding one of the rocks in her hand. “And one rock down. It might be a stupid tradition, but I do love seeing the rocks go away.”
“Wouldn’t check marks on a list be easier?” I asked.
“Where’s the fun in that?” she asked.
“Alright. So, one down, what’s next?” I asked.
“Solo shift,” she said. “First, you get a friend. Next one is each of you. One at a time.”
My stomach twisted into knots. I knew I had to go through the stages and do all the steps. Was I ever going to stop feeling nervous about shifting?
“Kyle first,” she said.
“Why did I put my pants back on?” He tugged his jeans off.
“Yeah, you won’t need clothes for a while,” Malcom said.
Kyle shifted with ease, did a quick loop, then returned to human form. All the while, my wolf begged for release. It seemed that it might be even harder to resist shifting than it was to complete the shift.
When it was my turn, I was surprised that my wolf responded immediately. I shifted, ran a lap, then returned. When I tried to shift back, my wolf fought me. She wasn’t ready to be human again. Suddenly, I was running away from my friends, toward the woods, sprinting as fast as possible. My wolf had completely taken over.
Stop.I called to her, trying to reason with her. We had to work together but she was fighting me. Panting, muscles aching, my wolf pushed forward, racing through the trees. She was elated, pure joy surged through her as anger and fear competed. I needed her to stop, I needed to be in control.
Another wolf ran alongside me now. I could feel Malcom, his wolf called to mine, and she responded, looking over at him. She didn’t want to stop. She wanted to run. I burst past Malcom, leaving him behind. I had lost all control.
Fighting against the desires of my wolf, I tried to stop her. Instead, she raced forward, until we were in the tunnel that led away from Star’s enchanted forest. If not for the huge rock blocking the way, I think she would have taken us to the woods.
What are you doing?
That’s when I felt it. Tyler. He was near. And his wolf was calling to me.
