School of Affliction

11

 My skin tingled as I felt the familiar pull of the shift. I resisted momentarily, letting the anticipation build before letting the transformation wash over me. My bones snapped and reshaped, fur sprouting from my skin as I fell to all fours. In a breath, the world sharpened into focus—colors more vibrant, scents more distinct.

I glanced to my left and saw Luca in his wolf form, his massive body rippling with muscle beneath his dark fur. He was impressive, a predator in every sense of the word. But I was a fox, and if there was one thing we were good at, it was knowing how to use our brains when brawn wouldn't cut it.

The instructor's whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of our training. Today's session was simple—survive.

Without a word, Luca and I exchanged a look. His golden eyes met mine, and I could see their determination. He was the muscle, and I was the brain.

Luca's ears twitched, picking up a sound I hadn't yet detected.  He darted forward, his large paws barely making a sound on the damp ground, and I followed close behind, my smaller form allowing me to weave through the underbrush with ease.

We moved in tandem, Luca using his strength to clear a path while I scouted, sniffing out potential threats. My fox senses were heightened, every sound and scent telling a story. I caught the scent of our pursuers—a pair of lion shifters—long before they came into view. With a flick of my tail, I signaled to Luca, and we changed course, slipping deeper into the forest where the terrain was more challenging.

The lions were fast, but Luca was faster. He moved with purpose, his powerful body making quick work of the obstacles in our path. I used my agility to dart in and out of hiding spots, leading our pursuers on a wild chase through the thickest part of the woods. Every time they got too close, Luca would circle back, his presence enough to make them hesitate long enough for me to slip away.

We stayed perfectly still as the lions crashed into the clearing. They sniffed the air, searching for our scent, but we'd masked it by staying downwind. Luca's breath was steady beside me, his body warm against mine. Despite the danger, I felt oddly safe.

As the lions finally moved on, frustrated by their inability to track us, I nudged Luca's flank with my nose, signaling that it was time to move.

We continued our journey through the forest, this time at a slower pace. The immediate danger had passed, and there was no need to rush. As we moved, I found myself studying Luca more closely. He was an enigma—strong, silent, but with a depth I couldn't quite grasp. I wondered what secrets he kept hidden beneath that stoic exterior.

 I started to relax; I caught a whiff of something in the wind. Another shifter. My fur bristled instinctively, and I saw Luca's ears perk up, his body tensing. We weren't alone.

Out of the shadows, three shifters appeared—two wolves and a bear.

The bear shifter growled low, advancing towards me. I bared my teeth, ready to defend myself, but I knew this would be a tough fight. Luca stepped in front of me, his wolf form towering over mine. His growl was deep and threatening, a clear warning to the others.

The wolves hesitated, but the bear shifter wasn't so easily intimidated. He lunged, massive paws aiming for me, but Luca was faster. He met the bear head-on, their bodies clashing in a blur of fur and fangs.

The other two wolves circled, trying to find an opening. I darted forward, using my smaller size to my advantage, nipping at one of the wolves' legs before retreating quickly. The wolf yelped in surprise, stumbling back.

The metallic scent filled the air, and I snapped my eyes over to the fight. Blood was flowing from a gash on Luca's flank, but despite the wound, Luca's wolf was relentless, but there was a controlled precision in his movements. He didn't fight with wild aggression; every move was calculated, his instincts sharp and deliberate. As the bear shifter lunged again, Luca sidestepped with fluid grace, his fangs grazing the bear's shoulder in a way that sent a clear message: back down.

The bear hesitated, sensing the unspoken warning in Luca's posture—this wasn't a fight he could win. With a low growl, Luca held his ground, his eyes locked on the bear's, daring it to make another move. The bear's confidence wavered, and with a final, reluctant snarl, it began to back away, more wary than wounded.

The wolves followed suit, shrinking back into the shadows.

Luca didn't chase after the bear or try to escalate the fight. He stood his ground, his eyes locked onto the retreating shifter, a silent yet powerful message in his stance. There was no need for further aggression—his dominance was already evident. But as the bear slinked away, a realization dawned on me.

This wasn't just about protection. Luca's wolf wasn't merely defending me from danger; he was marking his territory in a way that left no room for doubt. His actions weren't just about keeping me safe—they were about claiming me as his own.

 As I looked at him, our connection felt stronger and more intense. This was more than just a fight; it was a declaration. Luca's wolf had made his intentions clear.

After the fight, Luca's wolf remained tense for a moment. His ears perked, and his gaze remained fixed in the direction where the bear had disappeared. His chest rose and fell with controlled breaths.

Slowly, he turned his attention to me, his eyes softening as they met mine. The protective fierceness that had driven him just moments ago now simmered into something more tender, a silent question in his gaze—was I alright?

My fox, however, had a different response. The fight had stirred something primal within me. My instincts buzzed with heightened awareness, every nerve alert and every sense sharpened.  My fox was intrigued, drawn to the strength and security he offered, but also wary, not entirely ready to relinquish control.

I let out a low, almost playful growl, testing the waters, seeing how he would respond. My fox wanted to challenge him, not in a hostile way, but as if to say, You may have claimed me, but I'm no one's prey. Luca's wolf responded with a gentle nudge to my side, his eyes glinting with amusement as if acknowledging the challenge.

Luca's wolf made the first move. He stepped closer, his posture relaxing as the fierceness in his eyes softened into something more playful, with a gentle nudge of his muzzle against my shoulder and a friendly growl rumbling from his chest.

I darted around him quickly, agilely, brushing past him with a flick of my tail. It was a teasing gesture, challenging him in a lighthearted way. Luca's wolf reacted with a playful huff.

He turned to follow me, but I was quick, weaving through the underbrush with the speed and grace of a fox. I could hear him behind me, his larger form crashing through the foliage with deliberate slowness, as if he had allowed me the upper hand. 

Eventually, I slowed down, and Luca's wolf was at my side instantly. He nudged me again, this time more gently, and I responded by rubbing against him, our fur mingling in a brief moment of closeness.

After what felt like hours, the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the session. We returned to the school, sticking close to each other.

 We shifted back into our human forms. I glanced at Luca. He already had his pants on, his shirt clinging to his damp skin. I let my eyes look their fill; he was beautiful. He cleared his throat in a teasing matter when he caught me.

"You weren't too bad out there," I teased, trying to break the awkwardness.

Luca smirked, running a hand through his tousled hair. "You weren't too bad yourself, Nightshade. You have a knack for this."

I felt a strange warmth in my chest at his words, but I quickly brushed it off. Just because our animals like each other didn't mean I trusted Luca.

As we walked back to the main building, I couldn't help but wonder about Finn. We were in different training rotations, and I was worried about him. Before we parted this morning, I noticed Tessa and her skittish friend eyeing him. 

That she fox was up to no good.