Emma had never imagined she would run through the forest as a wolf. It was her first time, and everything looked different, from the eyes of an animal. A huge animal.
The taller trees towered high above her, their branches reaching out like giant arms, while medium sized trees-she hoped-were of the same height with her; she could see above them. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor.
As she sprinted towards Annabel’s training academy, her friends slung over her back, Emma couldn’t help but feel amazed. The ground felt different beneath her paws compared to her human feet. Each step sent vibrations through her body, connecting her to the earth in a new way.
The air was filled with the scent of pine and damp earth. Emma’s nose twitched as she took in all the new smells. She had never realized how much there was to smell in the forest the musky scent of animals, the sweet fragrance of flowers hidden among the underbrush.
She heard a rustling above her and looked up to see a squirrel darting through the branches. Its tiny claws clicked against the bark as it leaped from tree to tree. Emma’s ears twitched as she listened to the forest around her. There were so many sounds she had never noticed before the gentle flutter of butterfly wings, the distant call of a bird, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
The greenness of everything amazed her the most. As a human, she had seen forests before, but never like this. The leaves were a hundred shades of green, from the darkest emerald to the palest mint. Shafts of sunlight filtered through, turning some leaves into translucent jewels.
But she was hungry. She believed it was quite reasonable, seeing that she had expended magic, and worse had turned to a wolf-animals known for their ravenous hunger. But she could wait.
‘I don’t think so.’
Emma scoffed in her mind. At least, her wolf didn’t control her, as mere werewolves are controlled when taken over by their wolves.
‘I can actually do so. I’m just being respectful.”
Emma hummed in reply. She would eat a mountain when she got to the training academy. Hopefully, they would be hospitable.
‘If they aren’t, we force our way though. Since you don’t want me to hunt, you will have to eat for the both of us.’
Emma chuckled softly. “If they let us, we will go for a run tomorrow. You can hunt all you want. I just don’t want us to get distracted. Let’s get to the academy first.” Annabel had spoken of other supernaturals living here, so far she hasn’t seen anything, and she hoped she never would.
‘So, what’s your name?’
‘Finally, you asked? Great!’
Emma shook her head from within her wolf, wondering if this was how other werewolves were-being nestled into a tiny space where you watch your wolf act-or if it was just peculiar to her.
‘I’m Eden.’
Eden. Not a bad one.
‘Nice to meet you, Eden. I’m Emma.’
The only response she got from her running wolf was a huff.
She reached a small stream and paused for a moment. The water flowed swiftly over smooth stones, creating a soothing sound. Emma bent down and lapped at the cool water, feeling refreshed. Her reflection stared back at her from the surface however, shocking her so much so that she walked backward in shock. Prescott had been right. She looked hideous!
‘You don’t like me?’
Emma halted, inhaled and pushed forward to the stream again, deciding to understand the beauty that Prescott saw in the wolf. This was her. She might as well find a bright spot.
She staggered mentally at her size, aware it was larger than a normal werewolf. The striped feature also amazed her, with the golden tints that lined them, that pooled at her forehead.
Looking at herself was hypnotic. She noticed, after a while. Maybe this was how the mechanism worked. Hypnosis. But she thought herself good.
‘I like you.’
With a shake of her fur, as if shaking away the earlier misgivings about her wolf, Emma continued her journey. She could see the training academy ahead now, its stone walls and spires rising above the treetops. Her heart pounded with excitement as she realized she was almost there. She had to get her friends inside quickly.
As Emma increased her speed, and ran towards the academy, a sudden rustling in the underbrush caught her attention. Her ears perked up, and she slowed to a cautious trot, her senses on high alert. Emerging from between the trees were two massive wolves, their fur bristling with aggression and their teeth bared in snarls.
Emma’s heart pounded in her chest as she realized she was facing rogue wolves. They were not larger than her, with dark, mottled fur that blended perfectly with the shadows of the forest. But they looked to be more experienced in the act of warfare. Why now, when she was almost at the academy?
Instinctively, she increased the magical strength of the twine holding her friends to her back, since Prescott had passed out at one time during the journey.
The larger of the two rogues lunged first, aiming for Emma’s throat with a fierce growl. She twisted agilely out of the way, feeling the rush of air as the wolf’s jaws snapped shut inches from her neck. Without hesitation, Emma countered with a swift, calculated strike, aiming for the rogue’s flank. Her claws found purchase in the thick fur, and she felt a surge of adrenaline as she scored a deep gouge.
The second rogue circled around, trying to flank her, but Emma kept her focus divided, her eyes darting between the two adversaries. She could hear Prescott stirring, his groggy voice inquiring what was going on.
She leaped aside as the larger rogue lunged again, his jaws snapping shut just inches from her hind leg. With a growl of determination, Emma launched herself at him, teeth bared and claws slashing. They rolled together in a tangle of fur and muscle, each trying to gain the upper hand.
The smaller rogue attempted to join the fray, but Emma spun around with lightning speed, meeting his charge head-on. She locked jaws with him in a fierce struggle, her muscles straining with the effort. The forest echoed with their snarls and growls, the sounds of battle ringing through the trees.
Driven by adrenaline and the need to protect her friends, Emma fought with ferocity and determination. She was surprised at her own strength and agility despite her large size, as she held her ground against the strong rogues. Her mind raced with thoughts of strategy and survival, each move calculated to maximize her advantage.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of fierce combat, Emma managed to overpower both rogues. With a final, decisive blow, she sent them sprawling. They retreated, bloodied and defeated, disappearing into the depths of the forest with tails between their legs.
Emma stood panting, adrenaline still coursing through her veins. What the hell! Luckily the rogues hadn’t been able to score a hit on her.
Emma couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. She had to get to the academy!
With that, she geared up her mind, and ran the last lap of the journey, without turning left or right.
Her paws pounded against the soft earth as she approached the academy grounds a few minutes later, her heart lifting with relief. However, as she neared the gates, a sudden sensation of resistance halted her in her tracks. Confusion furrowed her brow as she realized there was an invisible barrier about fifty feet from the building, shimmering faintly in the air.
Before she could react, two figures emerged from the shadows of the academy grounds. They were cloaked in robes adorned with intricate patterns, their eyes glowing with a strange intensity. These were no ordinary guards; they exuded an aura of power and command over the natural world.
Without warning, the two figures unleashed their magic upon Emma. Vines erupted from the ground, snaking towards her with a life of their own. Ice crystals formed in the air, shimmering with a cold brilliance as they shot towards her. Emma dodged and weaved with agility, her instincts honed from her recent battle with the wolves.
Her mind raced as she strategized, her pulse quickening with determination. She couldn’t afford to lose now, not after coming so far. With a fierce growl, Emma lunged forward, her own magic awakening within her. She countered the vines with bursts of elemental energy, which bursted forth from the eyes of her wolf, shattering them into harmless fragments.
‘You didn’t tell me I could use magic in wolf form.’
‘You didn’t ask.’
Flames danced at Emma’s feet as fire erupted from their fingertips. Yet Emma remained steadfast, her movements fluid and precise as she evaded each attack. She could feel the earth beneath her responding to her commands, a newfound connection strengthening her resolve.
With a final surge of power, Emma unleashed a torrent of energy, overwhelming her opponents. The air crackled with magic as she seized control of the elements, channeling them into a decisive strike. The assailants staggered back, their defenses crumbling under her relentless assault.
Victory surged through Emma as the assailants retreated, their forms dissipating into the shadows. She stood panting amidst the aftermath of the battle, her chest heaving with exertion.
This time, when she approached the gates, the invisible barrier dissolved, allowing her passage. She entered the academy grounds with a mix of exhaustion and triumph, her mind swirling with the realization of her own burgeoning abilities.
“Who are you?”
Emma swerved swiftly, astounded when she saw a woman with eyes of an eagle standing right behind her.
When had the woman gotten there without her noticing?