Walking home after supper my eyes drifted towards the distant tree line.
The forest called to me.
I could still remember the feeling of the wind racing through my fur that morning.
The scents.
The freedom.
The feeling that I belonged somewhere.
Without even realising it, I’d slowed to a stop.
“You’ve got the itch.” Nelly’s voice made me jump.
“The what?” I laughed.
Jace grinned.
“The wolf itch.
“Nelly folded her arms with a knowing smile.
“It happens to every new wolf you shift for the first time then all you want to do is do it again and again.
” I looked around “Is it that obvious?” Jace laughed.
“You’ve been staring at the woods for the last five minutes.” “I just…”I smiled sheepishly.
“I’ve waited sixteen years to meet my wolf.
“My voice softened I don’t want to waste a single minute with her.” Jace smiled.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Peter threw his hands into the air dramatically.
“Excellent!
I get another opportunity to stand around looking pretty.” Nelly nudged his shoulder.
“You’ll survive.” He sighed theatrically.
“I know I just wish I knew what it felt like.
” He looked towards the forest.
“Running on four legs, there must be nothing else like it .” Something in his voice tugged at my heart.
I gently bumped his shoulder with mine.
“One day.” He smiled sadly.
“You really believe that, don’t you?” “I do”.
I don’t know why…”Peter chuckled.
“I hope you’re right.” Jace clapped his hands together.
“Right changing huts?” Before anyone could answer he jogged ahead.
As we reached them, Peter stopped outside once again.
“I’ll wait here.” I hesitated.
“You sure?” He smiled.
“Go, I’ll be here when you get back”.
“you better be.” i said touching his arm.
Jace noticed and rose his eyebrows at me with a grin.
i scowled at him.
Jace disappeared into one of the huts before poking his head back out.
“Lilah!
Hurry up!
I’ve got a reputation to defend.
“I laughed.
“What reputation?” “The fastest wolf around.” Nelly snorted.
“We’ll see about that.” Jace disappeared into one of the changing huts before poking his head back around the door.
“Lilah!” he called.
“You coming, or have you changed your mind?” I laughed.
“I’m coming.” I hurried into a hut, closing the wooden door behind me.
As I folded my clothes neatly onto the bench, I couldn’t stop smiling.
This morning I’d been nervous.
Now…I couldn’t wait.
I closed my eyes and pictured my wolf.
The familiar warmth spread through my body, but unlike my first transformation, there was almost no pain.
My bones shifted smoothly, muscles stretched and strengthened, and within seconds I was standing on four paws instead of two feet.
It already felt natural.
I stepped outside.
Nelly was already waiting, pacing excitedly across the grass.
Jace emerged a moment later, his sleek black wolf shaking his thick fur before looking at me with his piercing yellow eyes.
Peter was leaning against the fence outside the changing huts, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie.
His smile widened as he saw us.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing you lot do that.” I padded over to him.
“You sure you don’t mind waiting?” I asked through the mind-link before remembering.
Peter frowned.
“What?” I froze.
Then laughed.
“Oh…I forgot, you can’t hear me.” He smiled knowingly.
“You’ve got that confused face again.” Nelly laughed through the mind-link.
“Poor Peter.” Peter folded his arms dramatically.
“One day…You lot will be jealous.” Jace snorted.
“We’ll believe it when we see it.” Peter pointed a finger at him.
“You just wait I’ll surprise everyone.
Something about the confidence in his voice made me smile.
I believed him.
I didn’t know why…I just did.
Jace stretched his front legs before glancing towards the forest.
His yellow eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Right…”He looked directly at me.
“First one to the stream wins.” Before I could even react…He shot forwards like an arrow.
Leaves exploded into the air behind him.
“Cheat!” Nelly laughed before racing after him.
Instinct took over.
I pushed off the ground with all my strength.
The world blurred.
The wind roared through my fur.
Everything else disappeared.
I wasn’t thinking.
I wasn’t trying to beat Jace.
I simply wanted to run.
Every stride felt effortless.
The forest rushed towards me and melted away just as quickly.
I leapt over fallen trees.
Skipped across exposed rocks.
Ducked beneath low branches without even thinking.
Somehow…It all felt easy.
The scent of running water suddenly filled my nose.
The stream.
Already?
Without slowing down, I sprang across it, landing lightly on the opposite bank.
I skidded to a halt, panting happily .The evening sun reflected beautifully on the water, turning it into ribbons of gold .I stood there smiling.
My heart pounded with excitement.
This…This was the happiest I’d ever been.
Nearly a minute passed before I heard crashing through the undergrowth.
Jace burst into the clearing.
He stopped so suddenly that leaves sprayed everywhere.
He stared at me.
Not speaking.
Just…Staring.
“Lilah…” I tilted my head.
“What?” He blinked several times.
“How long have you been here?” “I don’t know.” “A minute maybe?” His eyes widened.
“A minute?” Before I could answer, Nelly came charging into the clearing.
She looked from me…to Jace…then back again.
“Wait…” “She won?” Jace slowly nodded.
“She didn’t just win she absolutely smashed me.” Peter came jogging along the path a few moments later, breathing heavily.
“I know I wasn’t racing…..but I’d just like everyone to know….I’m exhausted” Everyone was looking at Jace.
Peter frowned.
“What happened?” Jace looked at me again.
“I was running flat out fast as i could.” Nelly’s ears stood upright.
“Seriously?” “Every bit as fast as I could.” Silence settled over the clearing.
Nelly looked between us.
“So…” He pointed at me.”…the wolf who’s shifted twice…””…just beat the Compound’s fastest Alpha?”Jace sighed.
“Yes.” Nelly did a little trot “Oh, this is brilliant.
I am never letting you live this down.” Jace groaned.
“I knew you were going to say that.” Wait till we tell Peter she grinned mischievously.
“I’m going to tell everyone.” “You are absolutely not.” “Oh, I absolutely am.” She looked at me.
“Lilah…you’ve just destroyed his ego.” Nelly laughed so hard she had to sit down.
“He’s going to be unbearable for weeks.” Even Jace couldn’t help laughing.
He shook his head in disbelief before walking over to me.
“Lilah…I’ve never seen anything like that you’re faster than me, that shouldn’t be possible, alphas are naturally stronger and quicker.” I looked down at my paws.
“I wasn’t even trying.” we all looked around at each other equally freaked out and in awe.
Jace looked towards the stream.
Then back at me.
“I think…..we’ve just discovered something very important about you, I’m just not sure what.” The forest suddenly felt much quieter.
For the first time…The excitement of running gave way to curiosity.
What exactly…..was I?