Freedom in the Wind

Chapter 1

I trot deeper into the woods, feeling the gentle breeze graze pass my unusually patterned grey fur. The smell of damp soil and wood intoxicates my senses, bringing me to peace.

I feel unusually happy today, and clearly my mother did as well, seeing how she was smiling and awake earlier than midday. 

I break into a run, the sweet chirping of birds and alluring sound of crickets in the early morning egging me on. I was a fox, despite my grey fur, and I wore that badge proudly. It meant freedom, and the ability to actually do as I please without being so desperate and lonely that it'll drive me to insanity like the rogues. I've always thought of how pathetic wolves were, don't get me wrong, some are alright, but generally... they're all so desperate for attention and love they throw themselves at the closest thing that'll give it. It is no wonder that they account for almost 80% of the shape shifter population. Unlike fox shape shifters, who are on the brink of extinction, Wolves are thriving.

The sun finally rose from behind the mountain to greet the forest, distracting me from my thoughts. I reluctantly begin to head back home, unfortunately for me, I have school today, and it's not everyday you have to start brand new at a more than likely wolf infested high school. Even though our home wasn't in any territories, I knew that there was a wolf pack nearby.

I inhale the scents around me one last time before turning around and racing myself back home.

"Taz? Is that you?" I hear a familiar voice called out from my small home, almost startling me as I continued to trot inside through a doggy door to shift. Yes, we used a doggy door, but it was easier because our paws can't open doors and we weren't going to shift back outside, we'd be exposed. Fortunately we didn't have to go through the struggle that most shapeshifters did, because foxes are so small and dainty compared to the huge and bulky build of wolves.

I proceed to shift, now that I was securely inside the house, away from prying and perverted eyes, before dashing to my room and getting dressed. I look through my closet, a dissatisfied expression filling my face. My tiny 5"2 frame, which was actually large for a fox, was curvy, yes, but super hard to buy flattering clothes for.

After what felt like forever, I finally settled on a baggy mustard hoodie, and some black shorts with sneakers. Yes, I was about as basic as they come, but I’d choose comfort over style any day. Luckily my jet-black hair actually suited most of the outfits I chose for myself.

I head to our tiny kitchen and gape in complete and utter disbelief. My jaw dropped and my wild green eyes were wide. My mother was usually the one to spend all day in bed and be awake all night, however here she was, cooking. Cooking! I didn’t even know she knew how to do that!

“Hey Tazmin! How was your morning escape?” my mother chirps from behind the kitchen counter.

I realise my mouth is still hanging wide open waiting to catch a fly and quickly shut it, a faint blush threatening my cheeks, “Hey ma… it was wonderful, as usual, and probably would’ve been better if it wasn’t cut short by the sun…” I furrow my brows, still confused, “What exactly are you doing?”

“Cooking you breakfast…?” she answered as if it was the dumbest question in the world.

“You’re up late today, it’s well and truly past your bedtime miss owl.” I taunt playfully.

She scoffs then chuckles before shoving a plateful of bacon and eggs towards me, “Here, eat up. Big day today.” She smirks mischievously.

“What kind of wild concoction of poison did you use?” I questioned daringly.

“Hmm, careful sweetie, I sprinkled extra love on that one.” My mother laughed with a playful twinkle in her eyes. She's usually sweet like that, unlike her chaotic behaviour, but only to me. And she was to her mate as well... 

Of course, it was natural for a fox to tease and taunt, we're known for our mischief… and that saying ‘as sly as a fox’, which most assume is a stereotype, was for the most part correct. We're extremely cunning, and proud of it.

My mother comes around the counter and plants a light peck on my forehead before curling up on the couch with her own plate full of food and a nice hot cup of coffee. Of course, because it made total sense to have coffee to help you sleep, she’d often say dumb things like that, ‘I’m just going to have a coffee and go to bed.’, like the caffeine is meant to put you to sleep.

I swear my mother is a caffeine addict.

“Good luck today sweetie, love you.” My mother croaks, already drifting off to sleep.

I shake my head with a quiet chuckle, “Love you too ma, see you tonight… because we all know that’s when you truly thrive."

***

The school was about a 15 minute walk from my isolated home. I was undeniably nervous.

My jaw drops slightly in awe of the school, it was massive, to say the least. 3 huge main buildings were clustered together, connected by modern tunnels that ran from one building to the next. It was almost in the shape of a triangle, almost. I look around, seeing the thick trees that surrounded the school, apart from one large clearing to the left, probably for sport.

A familiar voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts. I twist around so fast it was almost unnatural. Standing behind me was a tall girl, or at least compared to me, with long, straight, dirty-blonde hair falling to her mid-back, accompanied by piercing grey eyes and flawless skin.

“Miranda!!” I gasp, “What are you doing here??”

She pulls me into a quick hug, I wasn’t the type of person to enjoy physical contact, but I didn’t mind it.

“We live here now, meet the newest member of the dark moon pack!” She squealed.

I covered my ears and cringed, but I was happy for her, Miri used to be a rogue, all her life, but she is strong, stronger than me of course. So it was only a small shock when I found out she had just joined the world’s largest, most vicious, and powerful pack in history.

“Really? I’m so happy for you!” I smile, a genuine smile.

To end our conversation short, the bell rings, signalling that school had started. I roll my eyes before trudging through the school, trying to navigate the head office.

“This way!" Miri lead to a large desk with an elderly lady crouching behind it.

“School has started, this will result in a detention.” The lady waved them off.

“We’re new, we need our classes and a map... please.” Miranda huffed, annoyed at the lady already.

That's the thing about Miranda, she values freedom just as much as I do, she's nothing like most wolves, so that’s why it's easy for us to get along so well.

After exchanging a few pointless details, the lady hands us two slips of paper, containing all our classes and a map on each one.

We began walking to our first class, which we figured out we have together.

Math, Science and English I have with Miranda, leaving me alone for chemistry, sport and history.

We were about to enter our English class, when it hit me. I stood there, frozen at the door, sniffing the air like an i***t.

It smelt so good it was intoxicating, the smell of dewy forest leaves and the damp soil and wood. It's like all my favourite scents mashed together. 

I finally opened the door, and see a huge, muscular man at the back corner with a godly given face, perfect jawline and high cheekbones. He had this mysterious aura around him, and sat away from everyone.

It was only then, when my fox murmured something that I truly froze, “Mate.”