Her One and Only

Four Hours

As the gravel crackles with Miles pulling out of the driveway, I realize how quiet it is out here.

Growing up in the pack house, you don't really experience silence very often. Pack houses are basically just big dormitories, as far as I know at least. It's close quarters, walls that are not thick enough, and people constantly coming and going.

It's great for when you're young. I mean, everyone you have ever known is right there. I can't even count how many sleepovers Miya and I had.

All of that and then six siblings, I don't know if I have ever experienced silence.

I take a moment to breathe it all in. The stillness of the room. The smell of the forest leaking in from each window and door. The faint smell of weed from the last few weeks of smoking together.

Maybe I should smoke less?

I stare out the patio door from my position in the kitchen.

The trees sway softly in the winter breeze, almost motioning for me to join them.

I feel Noctis rumble in my chest, she longs for the wind just as I do.

I mean, what better way to spend four hours than with mother nature?

I step slowly toward the door, calculating whether I really want to commit to letting Noctis roam free right now.

Miles did say to stay inside...

I open the patio door and breathe in the cool fresh air.

A few minutes can't hurt. We are miles from the pack after all. Nothing but mountains and forests as far as the eye can see...

As I'm losing the battle to my own persuasive nature, the rumble intensifies.

"Go."

I suppose there is no arguing with an immortal wolf spirit.

I strip my clothing off one article at a time, first the shirt. Then the Pants. Each sock. Underwear. You would never catch me wearing a bra at home.

I step outside like a kid steps into a pool. One toe at a time.

The air hits my bare body and Noctis takes over before I can even finish the thought.

The world shifts around me, my vision goes black, and I feel the wind in my fur.

I need to do this more often.

We bound into the forest, now sharing a body and consciousness.

I can feel Noctis' joy. With every scent she passes, her excitement grows.

The snow beneath our feet is so grounding. The way it presses itself into your toes. Our claws digging into the earth, the wind tickling our ears.

As we run, snow starts to fall. It dusts our fur and melts against our nose.

As she notices it, Noctis stops.

She takes in a big breath, and lets out a long howl.

Before this, I had never consciously shared a body with Noctis. Your first transformation is very... Single Player. I still have no memories from that night, I only know what my father told me.

I know from research and watching others that is it the only time in our lives where our wolves have complete control. Every time after the first we have equal control. They're in the drivers seat, but we're in the passenger side with driving instructor controls. If anything goes wrong, we are the ones with the steering wheel. Thankfully that means if a wolf ever does something bad, you can hold the human equally accountable. Unless it's their first transformation, hence why we have a whole procedure for that night. It keeps things safe and less... Bloody.

Another thing about our wolves, they see and hear everything we do. Even when they aren't in control.

Apparently, that's why we have to do what we do. People would have their first transformation and then their wolves would hunt down anyone who'd ever hurt their human counterpart.

As much as I'm pro vengeance, wolves hold a very long and very strong grudge. It just isn't good PR.

Can you imagine cutting some twenty-year-old off in traffic and then getting mauled by an enormous wolf weeks later? Seriously, it's just better this way.

That's also one of the reasons why we're sent out to the boonies; the government realized they couldn't physically control us. So, they gave us national parks. We protect the land, and they get to keep the whole "werewolves are real" thing under-wraps. It's honestly a pretty sweet deal. And it only stands as long as no wolves kill any civilians, so we have to be on our very best behavior.

Though, thankfully, it is pretty hard to tell the difference between a human mauled by a gray wolf or a bear from a werewolf attack. Our pack doesn't use that to our advantage, but I know some more... Carnivorous packs do.

My father has always insisted we be seen as little as possible. And, if we must be seen, it must only be as humans or under the protection of nightfall. It works out nicely that we just happen to have our first transformation at the witching hour, in the dead of night.

Noctis continues bounding through the forest like a child at recess, sniffing the air with deep breaths.

The sun's position in the sky has fallen considerably since we first stepped out here.

We need to head back.

And without a single spoken word, she turns around and heads back home.

The pounding of our feet filling the trees, the snow dancing across our thick black fur.

She takes another big breath, and I smell a familiar scent. It's Miles, she must be heading back with my family!

Noctis picks up her pace, and our vision fades to black.

_____

I was lucky to have enough time to change before they arrived.

As I'm opening my bedroom door, the front door clicks.

"I'm sorry it's so small, I'm sure all of you know that the Alpha and I only really built this place to sustain me. It's already a bit cramped with Nyght staying here in addition to me. But, we did organize sleeping arrangements! I'm sure she-" Miles motions to me at the end of the short hallway. "Will show and tell you everything you need to know." She smiles in my direction, and then moves out of the way for my family to enter.

My heart pulls my body to them, wrapping them all in a tight hug before I even know what is happening.

"I have missed you all so, so much." I feel hot tears slowly drip down my still-cold face.

"We are over joyed to see you, Nyght. Us especially!" my Mom, Alanis, motions to herself and my Momma, Marianna.

My big brother's hand finds it's way to the top of my head, and tousles my hair.

"I missed you, kid. The house isn't the same without you." his deep, loud voice fills the small space.

Miya squeals, "I cannot believe it has been almost a month since I last saw you! That is deplorable!"

I can't help but agree with her. As wonderful as it's been spending all of my days with Miles, I suddenly feel the weight of all the lost conversations between me and the people I love the most.

These next few days are going to fly by.

✨🌙☀️✨