The silver rays of the moonlight streamed through the blankets of clouds that attempted to block the light from the earth. I lifted my snout into the air and breathed in the scent of the forest. The soft musky smell of pine and dead undergrowth left me feeling comforted and whole. As the clouds parted, the moon revealed itself. Though it was not in its full glory, the ache in my heart caused me to lift my muzzle to the sky and part my maw. A howl thrust its way up my throat and I released the beautiful sound, having it fill the silence of the night.

Another howl joined mine as I sang to the moon and I raised my cry. When the clouds blew across the moon again, I lowered my maw, my misty blue eyes light with excitement. I felt the minor tremor in the forest floor, recognizing another wolf’s paw steps. I turned my head back and my tail slid across the leaves as I recognized the musky scent of my pack mate.

Xavier emerged from the shadows, his light gray coat seemingly silver in the little light that cast itself down from the half full moon. His steps were confident as he strode toward me and I dipped my head down. He sat down next to me and I let out a whine as I let my head rest against his shoulder. How human this must look and I knew it was only because we were human. Of course, we still had our wolf sides to us.

Xavier cut into my train of thought by licking the side of my muzzle and standing up. He shook out his long coat and glanced back up at the sky, letting out a soft whine as he did so. I followed his gaze and realized the moon was edging down toward the earth yet again. We had to get out of the forest and back home before we turned again. I dipped my head and shook out my light brown fur as I stood up.

Giving him a playful nip at his tail, I edged him into a jog. We leaped over fallen trees and loped through the bracken and a sense of peace flooded through me. His gray fur touched mine as we began to stride closer together. I nipped at his ear and he responded by brushing his pelt closer to mine yet again. We reached my back yard just as the moon disappeared behind the trees. He waited at the edge of the forest as I nudged open my back door. He had left his clothing in the woods outside my house, knowing he would not make it back to his home in time.

The first few rays of the sun signaled dawn and I had just trotted through the back door when my spine wrenched. I let out a human-like moan as my spine shifted and my fur receded into my now pink skin. My fists were clenched as the last of the pain made my chest shudder. Once my bones were done shifting, I grabbed the edge of the kitchen table to steady myself. The smooth granite was slippery and I lost my grip, falling back onto the floor.

I grunted and pushed myself off of the ground, spotting my clothes on the bed in the next room. With shaky steps, I walked into the room and pulled my jeans on. I threw my shirt on and turned to open the back door, but he had already beaten me to it. Xavier strode in then; his black hair was tousled and his intense blue eyes stared at me from under his lashes. For alpha of our pack, Xavier sure didn’t act like one.

I put my hands on my hips and gave him a mock glare. "Xavier, what if I hadn’t changed yet?" I asked him and he broke into a smile. He closed the space between us and snagged his finger in the belt loop of my jeans.

"I knew you’d change quickly," he breathed into my ear and I felt my heart stutter. He must have heard it too because he let out a low chuckle.

"And if I hadn’t?" I hedged and he pulled back, his ex
pression cocky. He pushed his lips softly against mine and I sighed as I melted into his touch. He pulled back, but kept his hand on my lower back as he guided me to the kitchen. There was a rap on the front door as I sat down in my usual chair at the counter and Xavier ruffled my hair before going to get it. Loud shouts were heard outside and I grinned, recognizing the scents as Xavier opened the door.