The Long Lost Tribrid

15. Newfound Magic

Hope's POV:

I woke up with a start, my body aching in places I didn't even know could ache. The cold, hard floor beneath me was a stark contrast to the warm, soft bed I was expecting. As I blinked away the bleariness from my eyes, confusion set in. Where was I? And why was I... naked?

Sitting up slowly, I took in my surroundings. The familiar sight of the school's basement cells greeted me, but it did little to ease my growing anxiety. What had happened last night? My memories were a blur of pain, fear, and... glowing eyes?

I wrapped my arms around myself, both for warmth and comfort. The events of the previous night were starting to come back in fragments. Emily's playful chase, my eyes suddenly glowing, and then... excruciating pain. Had I really transformed into a wolf?

As if on cue, the cell door creaked open. Emily walked in, followed closely by Josie. The sight of them brought a wave of relief washing over me.

"Hey there, little wolf," Emily said softly, a gentle smile on her face. "How are you feeling?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but my throat felt raw and dry. Josie quickly handed me a bottle of water, which I gratefully accepted.

"What... what happened?" I managed to croak out after taking a few sips.

Josie sat down beside me, wrapping a warm blanket around my body. Her touch was comforting, grounding me in the midst of my confusion.

"You transitioned, Hope," Emily explained, her voice a mix of pride and concern. "Your first full transformation into a wolf. It wasn't exactly how we planned it, but you did it."

The memories came flooding back more clearly now. The sudden onset of the transformation, the excruciating pain, Emily's calming words guiding me through it all.

"I remember the pain," I whispered, unconsciously leaning into Josie's embrace. "It was... intense."

Emily nodded sympathetically. "The first time always is. But you handled it like a champ, Hope. You're officially a full hybrid now."

I looked down at my hands, half expecting them to look different somehow. But they were the same hands I'd always known. "I don't feel any different," I admitted.

Josie squeezed my shoulder gently. "Trust me, you looked pretty different last night," she said with a small chuckle. "You made a beautiful wolf, Hope."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks at her words. "So... what happens now?" I asked, looking between Emily and Josie.

Emily knelt down in front of me, her eyes meeting mine. "Now, we train. You'll need to learn how to control your transformations, how to harness your new abilities. It won't be easy, but I'll be with you every step of the way."

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was a whole new chapter of my life, one I'd always known was coming but never felt quite prepared for.

"And I'll be right here too," Josie added, giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. "We're in this together, remember?"

I smiled, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for both of them. Despite the challenges ahead, I knew with Emily and Josie by my side, I could face anything.

"Alright then," I said, my voice stronger now. "But first... can someone please get me some clothes?"

...

Several hours had passed since I left the confines of the cell, my body still tingling with the aftereffects of my first transformation. The clock on the wall reminded me of the impending training session scheduled for 7 PM in the werewolves' training arena. Despite my exhaustion, I knew I couldn't miss this crucial opportunity to learn more about my newly awakened abilities.