The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 9 (Adapting)

*3rd Person POV*

Pearl spent the next couple of days perfecting the shift from wolf to vampire and vampire to wolf. She did come across a few issues at first. Being to slow to shift during a hunt and letting prey get away. And stumbling over herself once shifted because of the change from to 2 to 4 legs, or vice versa. The shift itself causes her senses to heighten dramatically for a few seconds after the change takes place, which can be rather distracting, before it all normalises. Combining the heightened senses, with getting used to a whole new body in a matter of moments, it's quite challenging.

Pearl worked tirelessly to adjust to the transformation process and on the 5th day, was able to complete a shift with no mistakes during a hunt. After that break through, successfully shifting at any given moment became second nature to Pearl. Allowing her quite a few more options during her hunts, as such, she hardly ever goes hungry.

Alongside the power and the speed that come from the massive wolf form, also came a massive appetite. Hunting every few days was no longer effective, so the increased success of her hunts was incredibly helpful. In order for Pearl to satisfy her wolf side, she has to take down multiple deers a day, and eat them in their entirety. You'd think the taste of raw meat would put her off, but actually, the raw meat had become quite appealing to Pearl. She attributed this to her wolf side changing her taste buds.

Whilst her wolf side demanded meat multiple times a day, Pearls bloodlust on her vampire side didn't require nearly as much attention. Drinking blood, became a habit during her hunts for meat, so going out to specifically feed off of blood to relinquish her thirst, was no longer necessary. Pearl had found that the burning sensation that usually appears in the back of her throat when she was thirsty, was appearing less and less. As such, controlling herself around the injured animals of the forest, was becoming an increasingly easier task, as time went on.

Training her body and strengthening her resolve was important. But it was no longer her only focus. Pearl spends any free time she gets between hunts, practicing her 'ghostly' abilities.

*Cut To Pearl Still 3rd Person POV*

"Okay, come on one more time", throwing up a rock in the air directly above her head. Pearl made another attempt to allow the rock to pass straight through her body and hit the ground without touching her. So far, this had been a difficult task. Scattered around her body, was hundreds of pebbles, rocks and small chips that came off of a small boulder nearby. The many attempts, had caused the rocks and boulders she had used, to break apart and crack. Leaving small chips and shards of rock amongst the grass in her practice area.

Becoming see through for a few seconds, Pearl smiled happily, only for it to be wiped off her face, when she felt the rock she had thrown, hit her shoulder, bouncing off of her and then falling to the ground.

"Arg! This is impossible" she said dejectedly. Letting herself fall backwards, she lay down on the ground in defeat. "How am I supposed to be able to tell when my whole body can pass through something? It doesn't feel any different. When I make things pass through my hand, it feels slightly cold where it actually goes through but, there isn't any difference in feeling on my hand before it happens. It's not like when I become invisible. That is so much easier." Pearl complained.

Sighing softly, she sits up and faces the lake she's practice next to. 'I know I can do this' she thought. 'Just, how do i do it? If I could physically feel when my body becomes intangible, this would be a lot easier'.

Pearl got up from the floor, deciding to end practice for the day and headed back to the cave she calls home, in order to get some rest. Using her ability as much as she had, was quite draining after all. Laying down in her cave, Pearls mind couldn't stop racing. She had so many questions about herself. Questions that as far as she knew, she was the only one capable of answering them. And that, was very frustrating.

'I wonder if I'll be okay around humans? I've not come across any yet, thankfully. This place is rather secluded, nothing but forest, mountains and fields for miles. Aside for the main road 15 miles east of here. It stands to reason that, because of my wolf side (which exists to protect humans), I shouldn't be attracted to their blood. I'm not sure if that's just wishful thinking though. I mean, vampires are supposed to drink human blood. Humans, are a Cold Ones food source. Their prey.' Pearl sighs to herself. "I probably won't be able to be around humans for a long time" she mumbles. 'I don't want to accidentally hurt someone. It's probably best if I don't risk it, at the moment.' Reaching the conclusion, that she will not attempt to approach humans for a good while, until she is in absolute control. Pearl resolved herself that night, to practice containing her bloodlust, so she won't risk innocent human lives, when she eventually re-enters society. After all, she can't stay in a forest forever.

Over the next month Pearl worked very hard to improve her control around blood, and increase the scope and power of her abilities. All in preparation of walking into Seattle whilst invisible to collect some much needed supplies and finally wear some clothes. A trial, to see how well she does, around humans. And because of the fact that she is tired of being nude all the time.

Pearl made her way to the outskirts of Seattle one night. Concealing herself from the world and entering her 'ghost' form, she took a deep breath in (intending to hold her breath the whole time) and entered the city limits.

'Here we go, no time like the present', Pearl thought. Slightly nervous of what's to come, however determination shone in her gold coloured eyes, thinking of the task ahead.