Of Fate and Freedom

Prologue

Pain.

I felt every excruciating tear of my muscles, each shattering and relocation of my bones as my lithe frame gave way to what I’d both dreaded and anticipated for the last twenty-three years. The grove I’d stumbled into, almost pitch black to the human eye, suddenly overtook my senses as darkness gave way to the most vivid array of greens, browns, and blues I had ever experienced. My first Transfiguration felt as though I’d been pummeled by the school bully in kindergarten and awarded with a kaleidoscope for my troubles... but it was done.

As the tremors tormenting my body slowly ebbed away, I was finally able to take in the intensity of my new form. It was all so vibrant and a bit overwhelming, and no amount of training could’ve prepared me for this. Every sense I possessed was heightened to levels beyond my understanding. I could smell the river that flowed through these lands, and hear the unbothered ebb and flow of the soothing waters, even though I knew the nearest branch of the river was at least a kilometer from this grove. I could feel the vibrations in the supple earth beneath me as a doe and her fawn nimbly worked their way through the overgrown forest. I watched in wonder as microscopic particles danced across the lazy midnight air around me, glistening in the slivers of moonlight peeking through the-

Moon.

My head snapped up to face the sky, and though the tree line was thick, I could make out just enough of it that my primal instincts took over and I began to sing to her. The Mother of my people, the lady of the night who has blessed me with this amazing gift, deserved every bit of my praise. The breeze picked up ever so slightly, rustling the leaves above me to complement the melody of my composition for the Alpha Mother. My song filled the grove and wove through the thick array of branches, caressing each limb as they found their way through to Her.

Before long, my ears twitched ever so slightly as I picked up the sound of my song being echoed by the voices of others. My pack, I realized, and I began to run toward the sound of the beautiful choir of voices ringing through the otherwise quiet night.

Home.

After what seemed to be mere seconds, the chorus of my pack descended upon me like a warm blanket on a wintry night. I could feel our connection growing stronger with every step I took. As I reached the crest of the hill I was scaling and prepared to jump, a low, rumbling snarl emerged from a haunting crevice in the wood. The once warm breeze now had an icy chill to it that cut straight through to my soul. I skidded to a halt and slowly angled my snout towards the sound, and shuddered as I saw two blood-red eyes fixated on my figure.

Everything in me told me to run, but I felt frozen in place. The sky seemed to be growing darker, but I couldn’t tear my gaze from those piercing irises. The wind picked up and I could swear it sounded like the most ominous howl I’d ever heard. I could faintly pick up my pack calling my name, desperately trying to find me, but I couldn’t muster up the courage to respond. It took a few moments before I snapped out of it and began to call out to my pack. But, before I even had the chance to part my lips, the figure leapt toward me and-

Dark.