Breaking Chains

Emerging

A knock at the door pulled us all out of our conversation. Matthew got up on all fours and made his way to the far side of the room where a large curtain hung over a large doorway. Where's he going? I asked Lana. That is a room for safely shifting back without anyone seeing you. It's really just a huge closet. Oh! okay. That's really clever. Then, Matthew emerged from the closet in a new suit and tie on. "Aaron, we are needed for a pack meeting. Come on son." I'll see you later Cousin. That was all I got before Aaron disappeared into the closet to change. Lana shifted right in front of me, making me jump in surprise when she put her hand on my shoulder. We left the study and headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea. On the way there, we met several other members of the pack that I hadn't been introduced to yet. One such member was the pack historian, Arthur. "Good Afternoon Luna. Oh, forgive me, I didn't know you were already occupied. I can find you later to discuss this matter." "No need Arthur, How can I help you?" "Some of the pups have gone into the forest again without supervision. Their parents are on guard duty and can not leave their posts." "Oh my, will those children ever learn? Well, how about it Michelle? Would you be so kind as to assist me in collecting these lost pups?" " I would love to Aunt Lana." "Beg your pardon Luna, but did she just call you Aunt?" asked Arthur. "I do apologize for the confusion and late introduction. Arthur, this is my niece that we lost to the Crimson Duke's pack." His eyes squinted at first, then grew to be as big as dinner plates. "Oh my, is it really you? Is it really little Michelle?" "I'm sorry I don't remember you sir." "Don't you worry about that dear. We have time to catch up now that you are back where you belong. Welcome home." " Thank you." With that, Arthur turned around and headed back in the direction he had come from and Aunt Lana and I headed out the back door to go hunt down the children.

Once outside, Aunt Lana turned and explained that every pack has its own borders, and it is very important that every pack stays on its own borders unless invited. So that is why Arthur looked so worried. If the kids run across our border onto another pack's land, they could be in big trouble, and their mistake could start a fight with another pack. I said to Aunt Lana through the mind link. Precisely. Lana shifted into her wolf and told me to climb on her back. I did as I was told, then we took off at lightning speed to go find the lost pups. Keep your head down so you don't get hit by branches as we are searching. How many pups are we looking for? 5. How long ago did they leave, do you think? I would say around 45 minutes or so, judging by the look on Arthur's face. Alright, where do they usually go? There is a clearing up ahead that they like to play in when the weather is nice. How far? About another 5 minutes and we should be there. As Aunt Lana finished telling me we were close to the clearing, Aya's voice crawled into my head, and she was pissed. If anything happens to those pups, we will tear whoever hurt them apart! Wow, she was scary when she needed to be. Aunt Lana chuckled over the mind link and said in a soothing voice, Easy you two. The pups will be fine.

We reached the clearing and sure enough, there were all 5 of the missing pups. When they saw Aunt Lana and I enter the clearing, they quickly got up and ran to us with smiles on their little faces. " Luna, you're here!" Aunt Lana shifted back and looked around at all the children surrounding her. "You children know better to run off without any of the adults." Aunt Lana scolded. "We're sorry Luna." they all rang out in unison. Aunt Lana shifted to her wolf once more and instructed me to help the children onto her back. Once they were all on her back, I linked her and asked, Do you think I could try shifting before we go back? I don't see why not. Just relax and let Aya in. Feel her strength. Hear her heartbeat. That's it good girl. Now imagine yourself falling into her skin. Your hands fit in her paws. Your arms are the right size for her long, strong legs. Your ponytail is becoming her tail. Your eyes see what she sees. Your ears hear everything she does. Yes, you've got it Michelle! Open your eyes, my dear, and take a look at the world through your very own wolf eyes. I opened my eyes and was shocked by how much I could really see. I could count the number of leaves at the top of a tree. I could smell the summer breeze and what was being cooked in the kitchen. I could hear Aaron and Matthew at the front of the house talking about pack business. They were discussing how much money the pack had saved in the emergency funds account and the help that some of the pack members required. As I was taking in my surroundings, Aunt Lana began to tear up. What's wrong Aunt Lana? Nothing sweetheart. Your wolf looks exactly like your mother's, that's all. I never thought I would be able to see you or your wolf and yet here you stand before me reminding me so much of my beloved elder sister. I looked down at my paws and saw that they were white up to about the middle of my front legs, while my upper chest and shoulders were black and gray striped. My hind end was a mirror of my upper body and my coat shone with a glossy shimmer in the midday sun. I turned around in circles to try and see what color my tail was and discovered it was blonde, just like my hair. Do I really look like my mother, Aunt Lana? Yes, you really do. I can't wait for your uncle and Aaron to see you. Me either! From Aunt Lana's back the children all looked at me with wonder and admiration. One little girl, her name was Lilli, asked me, "Miss Michelle, can I ride on your back?" I nodded my head yes to her and laid down on the grass so she could climb up. Once she was comfortable, Aunt Lana and I took off towards the house. I could smell lunch and my stomach was growling. I kept a steady and even pace with Aunt Lana all the way back to the house with Lilli clinging to my fur with her little hands, giggling the whole way there.

We got back to the house and were greeted by the children's very grateful parents. When we approached, everyone's eyes were on me, and they were tear-filled. They were tears of loss and sadness and of happiness. Everyone truly did love and accept me here. When we shifted back to our human forms many of the mothers came up and hugged me saying how beautiful my wolf was and that my parents would be so proud of me. It felt good to hear that. Even though I didn't know my parents everything I had ever done in my life I did in the hopes that they would be proud of me. Every torture endured, every task that I took on and completed, made me stronger. I had never been happier in my life than I was right then in that moment. I was home.