Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter 6

My body is yearning to satisfy the hunger, the need for release. A pain starts in my head, making me cry out. I feel it spread through my body and cut into my inner being, growing as Willow returns.

Shhh, you'll be fine. Just let me take over.

I nod, the same sensation as before rocking my senses. I'm in the back, the corner of my mind. The green haze has returned, and through Willow's eyes objects begin to amplify as my body morphs. I cringe mentally at the sound of the snapping and breaking, before screaming in agony at the crushing sensation that filters through my body. It's slow at first, only beginning with my face, but before I know it I've completely changed.

I'm on all fours, and I can barely move. I feel Willow gradually begin to lean forward and crack our joints, shaking out our fur. She closes our eyes briefly, and when I open them the world is brighter. It's as though a light has opened and shown the world what true colors are.

I snap out of it the minute I hear a howl followed by trampling of footsteps. They are getting closer and closer, the growling increasing. Before I know it I see them pooling through the trees.

The wolves have reached me by now, as I had to stop for the change. I shove forward and take control of my body, making Willow complain.

I don't notice.

There are ten wolves, nine circling me as the largest walks forward and closest. It's Leo, the green eyes are a dead give away. The power that radiates off of his beautiful golden wolf makes me want to back down, but I stand tall.

He looks surprised, and does nothing but walk around and assess my wolf. Leo eventually repositions himself to the right of me, his head titled to the side. His gaze shoots to another wolf, a grey one that is relatively small compared to Leo.

The wolf brings forward a pair of pants, and Leo takes them in his jaws. He shifts, making sure to lean forward at certain parts to cover his nudity. The rest of them all shift, and I just sit back, watching the shirtless show.

"Shift," Leo commands, and the playful persona he usually had was gone. His expression was stone cold, and I nervously try to go back to human form.

'Willow!'

Yes?

'Shift me back!'

But-

'Now!'

Fine.

My body morphs, and I'm left naked, curled up in a ball on the ground, moaning in pain. I feel a blanket thrown on me, guarding my unmentionables from sight.

Leo drops forward and gives me a bag, specifically my bag that I packed for my trip to New York City. I try and move my hand to grab it, wincing. The sharp, dagger filled ache that is coating my body is unimaginable.

"W-why," I choke out, "does it hurt so much?"

I look up through my hair draped over my face. Leo crouches down, brushes some hair out of the way. I look away, not able to keep a steady gaze with his disappointed one.

He sighs, "It was your first shift."

"So?"

"So it's a lot for a body to get used to, and normally causes excruciating pain," Leo explains, and I look up to see the disappointment faded and now replaced with concern.

"Oh," I breath.

"Do you know if any of your family members are werewolves?" He asks, and I sit up slowly. I make sure to wrap the blanket securely around my body.