Dark Before Dawn

────── ☽ ⋅ D A W N ⋅ ☾────── I followed my mother through the dark forest, holding her hand tightly. She had promised to show me something special tonight, something that only we could share. She said it was a gift from the moon, a gift that ran in our blood. As we reached a clearing, she stopped and looked at me with a smile. she squeezed my hand and said, "Are you ready, Dawn?" I nodded eagerly, feeling a surge of excitement and curiosity. What was she going to show me? She let go of my hand and stepped back. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, she began to change. Her body grew larger and stronger, her muscles rippling under her skin. Her clothes tore apart, revealing her bare chest and legs. Her already long hair became much longer and thicker, covering her face and neck. Her ears became pointed and furry, her nose became a snout, her teeth became fangs. Her eyes opened, shining with a brilliant blue light. She was a wolf. A silver wolf, just like the one I had seen in my dreams, together with my father. She looked at me with a gentle expression, and I felt a wave of love and awe wash over me. She was indeed a matured wolf, my mother was a majestic matured wolf. She lowered his head and nudged me with his nose. She invited me to touch him, to feel her fur, to connect with her. I hesitated for a moment, then reached out my hand and stroked her soft coat. She made a low sound in her throat, a sound of contentment and affection. She licked my face, making me giggle. She wrapped his tail around me, making me feel safe and warm. She then whispered in my mind, making me feel special and proud, "Dawn, my daughter, my moonlight. You are the most precious thing in my life. You are the future of our pack. You are the heir of our gift." "Mother, will I become like you and father, someday?" I asked, looking into her eyes. She smiled and said, "Yes, my darling. Someday, you will. Someday, you will join me in the dance of the moon. Someday, you will have your mate, and together you two will run with me in the wild. Someday, you will be a matured wolf." Someday. That was the very first word I etched onto my mind. I had held onto it like a sacred promise that I've made with the moon. ───── • ☽ •✧⃝ ✧• ☾ • ───── TO BE CONTINUED.