The backyard looked smaller when I padded out barefoot, blanket still wrapped around me like a toga. The sun was too bright, the grass too green, the air too normal for what had happened last night.
"Okay," Mom said, hands on her hips like this was just another Saturday chore. "We're going to practice."
"Practice what? Not turning into a giant murder dog in front of my friends?" My voice cracked, which was great. Really helped with the cool, mysterious vibe.
Chloe raised her hand like she was in class. "For the record, you were majestic. Terrifying, but majestic."
"Seconded," Ethan muttered, kicking a rock. "Mostly terrifying, though."
I groaned. "Why are you two even here for this?"
"Because we're your emotional support humans," Chloe declared. "Duh."
Mom ignored us, already scanning the yard for a safe spot. "Shifting again," she said firmly. "The first change is always the hardest. Your body will fight it less now."
"Less doesn't sound like none."
"It isn't," she admitted. "But you'll manage. I'll be right here."
My stomach flipped. The blanket suddenly felt way too thin. "And what if I... stay stuck? What if I can't change back?"
Chloe gasped. "Do we get to keep you as a pet? Can I buy you a collar?"
I shot her a glare. "Try it and I'll bite you."
Already sassy, the wolf voice hummed inside me, warm with amusement. I like her.
I froze. "Not now."
"Not now what?" Ethan asked, eyeing me like I'd sprouted horns.
"Nothing," I muttered.
Don't ignore me, the wolf said, gentler this time. You'll need me.
Mom caught my eye. "Is she speaking to you?"
I swallowed. "Yeah. She's... chatty."
Rude, the wolf sniffed. I'm helpful.
Mom nodded once. "Good. Listen to her. She'll guide you."
Great. My own personal furry life coach.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. Last night it had been fire, pain, panic. Today... it came faster. A spark in my chest, spreading outwards. My bones pulled like strings on a puppet. Heat licked down my arms and legs.
When I opened my eyes again, the world was sharper, brighter. I was on four legs.
"Holy—" Chloe slapped Ethan's arm. "She did it! That was so fast!"
Ethan looked like he couldn't decide between clapping and bolting for the fence. "It's still freaky."
Walk, my wolf urged, calm. Feel the ground. You don't need to rush.
I lifted one paw, pressed it into the grass. My balance wobbled, but I didn't fall. Chloe cheered like I'd scored a touchdown.
"Yes, Evelyn! Queen of paws!"
I snorted, which came out as a huff. Chloe squealed. "She snorted! She's still her!"
"Can wolves snort?" Ethan asked, deadpan.
"Shut up and be supportive," Chloe shot back.
Mom crouched down, meeting my glowing eyes. "Now back."
My ears flattened. Panic clawed up my throat.
It's all right, the wolf soothed. Picture your hands. Your face. Your name. You're not losing anything, you're adding.
I thought of my hands gripping a pen, my reflection in the bathroom mirror, Chloe laughing soda through her nose. Heat rolled over me again, hard and fast. Bones shrank, twisted. The world tilted.
I collapsed on the grass, human again, gasping. Sweat plastered my hair to my forehead.
Chloe shrieked, then clapped like I'd just won Olympic gold. "DO IT AGAIN!"
"Give her a second to breathe," Ethan said, shoving his hoodie at me.
I dragged it on with trembling hands. My wolf chuckled inside my head. See? You didn't break. You shifted.
I flopped back in the grass, still panting. "I hate this."
You'll get used to it.
"I don't want to get used to it."
Too late, she teased softly. We're stuck with each other now.
Mom helped me sit up. "You did better than most your first time."
I blinked at her. "There's a scale for this?"
"Of course," Chloe piped in. "You're already top tier."
Ethan raised a brow. "Yeah, ten out of ten for traumatizing your best friends."
I shot him a look. Chloe stuck her tongue out at him.
"Again," Mom said calmly. "Once more. In and out."
I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. "Fine. But if I puke, it's on you."
Chloe mimed grabbing popcorn. "Worth it."
The second time came faster. Less fire, more pull. My wolf's voice steadied me, like hands at my back. Breathe. Don't fight. Flow with it.
And then fur again. Paws. Tail.
Chloe squealed. Ethan groaned.
I turned, snapping my teeth in the air—not close, just enough. Ethan stumbled back. Chloe laughed so hard she fell onto the grass.
Mom sighed. "Control, Evelyn."
I huffed. My wolf chuckled. You like scaring them.
"Maybe," I admitted.
Me too, she whispered.
⸻
By the time Mom finally called it, my whole body shook like I'd run ten miles. Chloe was still buzzing, Ethan was still pale, and my wolf was purring content in the back of my mind.
"You'll train more tomorrow," Mom said, steady as ever.
"Great," I croaked.
We'll get better, the wolf promised. I'll make sure of it.
For once, I didn't argue.
⸻
Inside, the air conditioning hit me like a blessing. I collapsed face-first onto the couch, still wrapped in Ethan's hoodie, still damp with sweat. Chloe sprawled across the armrest like a cat, scrolling through her phone with glitter still stuck in her hair. Ethan stood in the doorway for a good thirty seconds before finally sinking into an armchair like sitting near me might get him infected.
"Well," Chloe said cheerfully, "if this whole school thing doesn't work out, you've got a solid backup career in, like, scaring mailmen."
"Or demolishing furniture," Ethan added. "Pretty sure the grass is permanently traumatized."
I groaned into the couch cushion. "Why are you like this?"
"Coping," Ethan said simply.
Mom clattered around in the kitchen, the sound of a kettle starting to boil. She moved like someone already making plans. I didn't even want to know what those plans were.
Chloe leaned down over me, grinning. "Hey. If you're half wolf, does that mean you'll start howling at the moon? Because if so, can we make it a duet?"
"Chloe," I mumbled, "if you don't stop talking, I will howl right now."
"That's a threat and a promise," she said, delighted.
Ethan rubbed his temples. "I need new friends."
"Too late," Chloe shot back. "You're stuck with us. Forever."
My wolf stretched inside me, amused. They're yours. Even if they're ridiculous.
I closed my eyes, finally letting my body sink into the cushions. For the first time since last night, I almost believed her.