Then she changed back. The fur disappeared. My claws turned to fingers.
I was Ariana again.
But now… I finally had a wolf.
I sat on the cold ground. I was naked. I was scared. But I was also free. Truly free.
Tears came. Happy tears.
Thank you, I whispered inside me. Thank you, my wolf.
She answered in my heart. We are one now. We are strong.
I looked at the moon. So beautiful.
Moon Goddess, please help me find a home, I prayed.
The wind blew gently like an answer.
But I had no real home. My pack threw me out. My mother sold me.
Where could I go?
I stood up slowly. My legs still shaking. I needed clothes. I needed someone kind.
Then I heard a car. A real car. Coming closer.
I hid behind a tree. My heart was scared again.
Please not the traffickers. Please not those men.
A black car stopped.
A man came out. He was tall. He looked gentle. He looked like a good person.
He searched around like he was looking for someone.
Then he saw me.
I wanted to run. But my body was too weak.
He came closer slowly, like he did not want to frighten me.
Hey, he said very softly. Are you okay?
I did not answer. Fear held my voice.
He took off his jacket and put it in front of me. Here. You must be cold.
Who are you? I asked. My voice was shaking again.
My name is Daniel, he said in a calm voice. I am a healer. I work at the Dawn's Light Pack clinic.
A pack? My heart jumped in fear. No. I cannot go to a pack. They will send me back.
Send you back where? Daniel asked gently. He put the jacket down and backed away to give me space.
To the bad men… to my mother… to anyone who wants to hurt me, I said.
Daniel's eyes looked sad. No one will hurt you. I promise. You are safe now.
I looked at him. His eyes were so soft. So honest.
Maybe the Moon Goddess heard me.
I am Ariana, I said in a small voice. And I really need help.
Daniel smiled kindly.
Then let me help you, Ariana.
Daniel's car felt warm inside. I sat in the front seat while he used his jacket to cover my body. I was still shaking. Not from the cold, but from fear. From everything that had just happened.
Where are we going? I asked, even though my voice was very quiet.
To my pack, Daniel said. He drove slowly and with care. Dawn's Light Pack. You will be safe there.
What if they don't want me? What if they send me away?
Daniel looked at me. His eyes were kind. They won't. Our Alpha is a good man. He helps people who need help.
I wanted to believe him. But I had heard those words before. People always said nice things. Then they hurt you.
We drove for a long time. Maybe one hour or even more. I looked out the window. Trees passed by. The moon was still big in the sky. My wolf inside me was quiet now. Tired. But I could still feel her there. Warm and strong.
Ariana, Daniel said softly. Can I ask you something?
Yes.
Back there in the forest. You shifted into a wolf. A white wolf. But you said you were wolfless. What happened?
I didn't know how to answer. I don't know. All my life, I never had a wolf. My mother said I was broken. The pack said I was useless. Then tonight, when those men tried to catch me, she just came out. My wolf came out.
A white wolf is very rare, Daniel said, and very special. Some people will want to take you because of it.
Fear filled my chest again. Then I will hide. I will not shift again.
No, Daniel said quickly. Don't hide who you are. In my pack, you will be protected. I promise.
I looked at him. He seemed honest. Really honest. But I was still scared to trust.
Finally, we reached a big gate. We got to a tall gate made of iron. Two men stood guard there. They saw Daniel's car and opened the gate.
We drove in and I saw houses. Many houses. Lights were on in some windows. People were awake even though it was late at night.
This is Dawn's Light Pack, Daniel said. About two hundred wolves live here. We are not the biggest pack, but we are strong. And we take care of each other.
He parked the car in front of a big house. The biggest house I had ever seen. It had three floors. Many windows. A big door.
That is the pack house, Daniel explained. Alpha and Luna live there. Also the Beta and Gamma. And some pack members who have no family.
Why are we here? I asked. My heart started beating fast again.
Because we need to tell the Alpha about you. When a new wolf comes to our territory, we must inform him. It is the law.
What if he says I must leave?
Daniel turned off the car. He looked at me. He won't. Trust me.
I wanted to run away. But where would I go? Back to the forest? Back to the bad men? No. I had to be brave now.
We got out of the car. Daniel gave me his hand. I held it. His hands were warm. Strong and safe.
We walked to the big door and Daniel knocked three times.
The door opened. A woman stood there. She was very beautiful. Long black hair. Kind eyes. She wore a simple dress. She looked at Daniel, then at me. Her eyes became wide.
Daniel? she said. Who is this?
Luna Elena, Daniel said. He bowed his head a little. I found her in the forest. She needs help.
Luna Elena looked at me. Not with mean eyes. With soft eyes. Worried eyes. Oh, you poor child. Come in. Come in quickly.
She pulled me inside. The house was warm. It smelled good. Like food and flowers. The floor was shiny. Clean. Everything looked expensive but comfortable.
Marcus, Luna Elena called up the stairs. Come down! Daniel brought someone!
Heavy footsteps came down the stairs. A big man appeared. Very big. Tall. Strong muscles. He had short brown hair. Sharp eyes. He looked powerful. This must be the Alpha.
Alpha Marcus looked at me. His eyes studied me. I felt small. Very small. I looked down at the floor.
Who is this? Alpha Marcus asked. His voice was deep. Strong. But not mean.
I found her in the forest near the border, Daniel explained. She was running from traffickers. They were shooting at her.
Luna Elena gasped. Traffickers? Oh, Moon Goddess. She touched my face gently. Are you hurt, dear?
No, I whispered. I am okay.