Forever Wolf

*Reina* I awake with a start. My red hair swirled all about me as I scream silently in my nightmare. I reach up and grip my neck. I breathe out realizing I must’ve been dreaming as I let the breath out and fall back against the headboard. Wait… Where am I? I look about the room. A popcorn ceiling? When was the last time I saw a popcorn ceiling? And the white-washed room with the floral sheets with the duvet tucked underneath. Was I back in the 90’s? I pulled off the blanket and saw a fully grown yet still young woman lying underneath them. I searched my mind bank for this exact memory- I was 17. A couple days before my 18th birthday. My grandmother had just passed signifying the true pass of title to my father. Something she would’ve never given up on this life or the after. I moved to get out of the bed but felt…off. It had been decades since I lived without iris to help me navigate both human and wolf body. I wouldn’t come into her for another few days however so I was on my own. I forced myself into my own two feet and felt my way to the bathroom. I stared up at the young 17 year old redhead, pale, freckled woman in front of me. ‘Reina, time to go- why are you still asleep? We have many people to greet still’ my mother yelled at me from the door I stifled a small scream at my mothers voice. In my last life she died shortly after my grandmother passed. She died from ‘unforeseen circumstances’ said my father and future husband. I never quite believed them albeit I believed it all came from my father and my husband played no part. ‘Go to her’ I heard in the back of my head. I knew it was Iris however- she didn’t even need to tell me. I threw open the door to my mother and flew into her arms. She seemed shocked however empathetic to my display. She probably thought it was because of my grief. ‘Shhh Reina, we all have our time and it’s our time when she calls upon us’ my mother cooed ‘Mother it’s not that- I’m just… I’m so sorry’ I cried my grief out. Soon I realized after several pats upon my head that she didn’t truly understand why I was so upset. After all- We weren’t that close to grandma Truly after all. ‘Come now Reina, we have a lot of family members to talk too. Not all may be upset as you are however.’ My mothers eyes searched the room. I knew immediately she was talking about my father-her husband. ‘Yes mother, I’m sorry lets continue.’ I smiled upon her with as much conviction as i could muster. She smiled upon me and then lead me to my dresser. The dresser contained many spectacular dresses. Many more mourning dresses than would be accepted at this age, but I didn’t address that. Soon enough an entourage of women my own age came and shoved my mother out. None of them particularly drew my attention besides my dying best friend- Tilly. Her blonde bob and blue eyes shined above all others and what drew me to her in the first place. She left my fathers pack to join my own and eventually was portrayed to me as defector. I would not make the first mistakes I made the first time around in this life. I purposely went after her as my mother released my grip. She was shy but I knew she would protect me to the very end. The rest of my grandmothers funeral went off without a bang until I turned upon a key player within this game. ‘Hello Axel’ I smiled upon my boyfriend as I subconsciously gripped my best new (old) best friends arm.