Girl to Wolf

She released her hold on her inner wolf and fell to all fours with a gasp.

Color drained from the world as her eyes became wolfish. The change swelled from within, rippling through her muscles, twisting her body, bending bones without breaking. Blood raced through her veins, filling with scalding power. Pain pulsed dully as nerves unraveled, blazed new trails, and spider-webbed out.

First came the shadow of a pelt. Her tawny skin faded to ashy gray, and lips, nose, and eyelids became black and glistening. The hair on her head bristled into a shaggy black mane, then swept downward and submerged her skin under luxuriant sable fur tipped with silver.

Her back crackled as she curled down, tail wriggling free at the base of her spine. Hands and feet elongated as fingers and toes curved into paws.

Mouth and nose pushed outward to accommodate powerful jaws, and cheeks and neck thickened with muscles to support them.

After flowing the length of her limbs, the power of the change washed back upon itself, wiping away any traces of her human body, and drained as quickly as it had come. She glanced toward the path ahead, anticipation gleaming in her golden eyes. She ran, spirit freed with a flying stride.

—K.K., WA