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619 Words
“This is our last night single…” Vivi said, still looping her arm through Xavier’s like she owned him.
Her tone was light, almost joking but there was something sharp beneath it.
I only nodded.
The mating ceremony.
Every wolf who turned eighteen had to attend.
If you didn’t find your mate… punishment followed.
A shiver slid down my spine.
Tomorrow was our birthday.
Tomorrow was the ceremony.
Tomorrow… everything changed.
Xavier gently removed Vivi’s hand and walked toward me instead.
“I hope we get paired together, Cali.”
His voice softened. “We could choose any pack we want… start our own path together.”
I looked up at him. His eyes were so sincere it almost hurt.
But… I wasn’t sure why my gaze drifted to Vivi.
She was staring at me.
No, Glaring.
A look full of something I had never seen on her face before.
The second she realized I’d caught her, she gasped loudly, flung herself to the floor, and began rolling dramatically.
“WHEN will I have a boyfriend?” she wailed to the ceiling.
I blinked slowly.
Xavier… chuckled.
Actually chuckled, his attention sliding to her, face softening in a way that made my chest tighten a little.
Vivi hopped up with renewed energy. “Let’s go for the last night run!”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, like a lit fuse ready to burst.
Xavier looked at me for permission.
I raised my hands. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.”
We stepped outside, and the cold air slapped against my face, jolting me awake.
“Let’s race,” Xavier said.
Vivi nodded instantly, already excited.
They loved competing with each other over everything.
“Fine,” I sighed.
“Great.” Xavier’s grin sharpened, then he shifted.
Flesh restructuring, bones cracking, clothes shredding and then his wolf emerged.
Stunt.
Massive, gray fur shimmering under the moon, green eyes glowing like embers.
Powerful. Steady.
Completely grounded.
I ran my fingers through his fur, and Stunt leaned into my touch with a soft, rumbling sound that always made me smile.
Beside us, Vivi was already shifting.
Dark fur burst over her body, ink-black and sleek.
Her wolf, Valeta stood proud, eyes glowing yellow like two small suns.
Sharp. Quick.
Exactly like Vivi.
Finally, I let go.
Let Nina rise.
My wolf pushed through my skin, shaping me into her form, white fur like fresh snow, red eyes gleaming softly.
Nina. Quiet, Fast, Observant.
Together, the three of us shot forward, racing through the pack grounds, wind slicing past our ears.
The moon lit our backs, trees blurred around us, and for a while…
…I felt free.
We ran through the forest, through open fields, through shadows and silver light, letting the world fall behind us.
I slowed when I reached the river, dipping my head to drink before shifting back to human form and pulling on my clothes.
Moments later, Stunt and Valeta arrived, both panting like they’d sprinted the whole world.
They shifted too, Xavier collapsing beside me dramatically while Vivi plopped down next to him.
“I won!” she whooped, doing a little victory dance even while sitting.
Xavier groaned and flopped an arm over his face. “You only won because I stopped to help a squirrel that looked lost.”
“That squirrel was running from YOU,” she snorted.
I laughed softly, hugging my knees as I watched the two of them bicker.
Their voices echoed through the quiet forest, bouncing across the water surface.
The night felt peaceful…
But a strange ache twisted somewhere deep in my chest.
A feeling I didn’t understand.
A feeling I tried to ignore.
Because tomorrow… everything could change.
- Writer
