AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d realized that to make this work, to make this memory the best it possibly could be, I needed it to be with someone who wasn’t there the last time. I did not blame my friends for what happened to me; I never had. But they were inadvertently tangled into the mess of tainted memories. I wanted to create this one in a way that no reminder of the past could ruin it. I needed someone to lean on, to have their strength with me if necessary. There was only one person I knew could be there for me, and that was Nolan.
I stopped about a mile away from the group, their voices and laughter finally dissipating. I couldn’t sense anyone else near us, letting me know we were finally alone.
I turned back to him, heat flooding my core at the sight of him basking in the moonlight. Like most of the wolves, he wore minimal clothing, just in case of an overexcited transformation that would lead them to being ripped off. His arms were completely exposed, the tight black tank top conforming to his well-defined torso. A twisted runic-patterned tattoo decorated his left bicep, swirling inward to frame a single word:Cleo. It rested right below the Onyx Guard crest tattooed proudly on his shoulder. His loose linen black pants hung low on his hips, a strip of tanned skin peeking out from under his shirt. That was all he wore, his feet bare, eyes glowing a deep shade of gold, his typical wicked grin gracing his lips as he stared at me, his posture relaxed and waiting.
“What?” My eyes darted around, my skin prickling at his intense gaze.
“Nothing,” he shrugged taking a few tentative steps forward, “just looking at you.”
My cheeks flared with heat. “Stop it.”
“Nah, I’m good.” He offered his hand to me. I didn’t hesitate, reminding myself to follow my desires and drives as I laced my fingers with his, allowing him to tug me forward so we stood only inches apart. “Did you need me for something?”
“Yes,” I whispered, tingling with every slight breeze that grazed across my skin. I didn’t know why I was suddenly feeling shy, but I averted my gaze to the forest floor. “I…I didn’t want to be alone when I tried to transform for the first time.”
His body stiffened. “And you chose me to be here?”
I nodded, brewing the courage to look up at him, his eyes searching my face. “I did.”
“I’m honored.”
“I mean, I want to do it privately, behind a tree…like I normally would…” My words stumbled over themselves, my whole body flashing with heat at the idea of being naked in front of Nolan. “I just…I don’t want…”
“Kas, I get it.” His thumb rubbed a small circle on the back of my hand. “I’m gonna go over here,” he gestured to a large oak behind him, “just take your time. Listen to yourself and for Lunestia’s calling. We’re in no rush tonight, but I’m here. Alright?”
“Alright.” I sighed, letting the cool air tamper down the fever growing inside me. He gave my hand one final squeeze before pulling away and disappearing from sight.
I walked around behind one of the other trees, my fingers shaking as I unlaced the front ties of my midnight-blue shirt. I couldn’t bring myself to dress down tonight—that would have been too far for my comfort. Once the laces up top were loosened enough, I pulled the half-sleeved shirt over my head, the cool air sending ripples of gooseflesh crawling up my chest and stomach. I bent down, making quick work of my boots and kicking them off, shoving my socks inside them. My fingers shook when I reached for the laces of my pants, but I found the strength to shed them from my body. With one final uneven breath, I removed my undergarments, my entire self now exposed to the night breeze and the calming glow of the moon above.
It was natural, thank the Goddess. It was right and normal; like this was exactly where I needed to be in that very moment. I eased my body back against the tree, looking up into the moon above; my eyes instantly glowed at the sight, the whispers of Lunestia calling me forward.
The first trigger came naturally. All I needed to do was take the final step.
I evened my breathing out, my bare back resting against the scratchy bark, toes digging into the soft dirt below. I breathed and I breathed and I breathed…but I didn’t feel anything. No stirring, no transformation. Nothing.
Rustling came from behind me, the light tapping of paws against the underbrush inching closer. Nolan must have finished transforming already; my heart pressed against my chest tightly, my murky thoughts trying to convince me this was a failure. I dug my fingers into the tree, looking up at the moon, to Lunestia, for any guidance.
“Just breathe, Kasha,”Nolan’s voice drifted into my thoughts.“Don’t overthink it, just feel it.”
I closed my eyes, taking his words as the guidance I had been praying for. I let myself feel it all—the sensory assault of the forest around me and the swirling of emotions deep inside. I didn’t repress them, I accepted them, just as I had been doing for the past few weeks. I let myself know this is who I was now. This is who I had become and that was okay.
Maybe, just maybe, this was exactly who I was meant to be.
A burst of energy exploded in my core seconds before my arms and legs cracked into new places. I howled, the noise ripping through the open air as my limbs morphed downward, my body falling forward onto hands and knees. My back arched, skin on fire, but in the best way possible. My fingers shrank down toward my palms, tufts of silvery gray fur growing quickly from the creamy flesh until it had completely taken over. Moments passed, my body snapping and popping, and before I knew it, calm washed over me.
I panted, my tongue hanging out of my muzzle as I stared at the ground, at my front paws shaking, but still holding me up.
I did it. I transformed.
My wolf was back.
I let out another howl, a bright burst of triumph singing through the air for everyone to hear. Echoes of other howls joined me, celebrating with me, welcoming me back.
“Congratulations,”Nolan said, his voice laced with awe and pride even within our minds.
After a few more moments alone, I emerged, my paws padding against the earth, an extra bounce in my step. My gaze came up, stopping short as I fell back on my haunches to look at Nolan.
This was the first time I was seeing him in his full wolf form, and it absolutely took my breath away. Just like in our human form, he towered over me, a vision of dark black fur with speckles of white peppered throughout. His muscles flexed, ready to blow off steam as his front paws clawed at the soft earth below. His eyes grazed over me, taking in every inch of my wolf.
