Four Years Later.
"Lireal! Lireal!" the crowd shouted as Lireal crouched into position at the starting line of the racetrack. Her lean muscles were poised and ready.
"On your marks...get set... Go!" shouted the referee.
Lireal pushed off, dashing forward with enhanced wolf-like speed. Her long dark hair streamed behind her as her feet pounded the track. The wind rushed past, whipping her hair and clothes. She felt alive, powerful, and free. It had been four years since that fateful day when she had transformed into a black wolf, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. The wolf had given her a purpose, a strength she had never known she possessed.
"Go Lireal!" her friend Mai cheered enthusiastically from the packed bleachers.
Lireal pulled ahead swiftly, running w
