My large, heavy paws dig into the softness of the earth as I dash through the…

My large, heavy paws dig into the softness of the earth as I dash through the forest, huffing through my muzzle as the wind flows through my fur. I hate that I have to be here, away from the battle when I should be fighting along with everyone else… I should be with…- Damn it... I sigh, shaking my head as I come to an overgrown wooded clearing, skidding to a halt as the moonlight glows in the wild around me. My tail whips against the grass beneath my feet, my head tilting upwards to trace the scent on the breeze. A wave of guilt washes over me as I glance up at the sky, the stars shining brightly in my eyes. “Why didn’t I just get extra suppressant? Why did this have to happen at the worst time? Blaze, I’m so sorry… I shouldn’t have run away like a coward…” I whimper, my ears flattening against my head as the words echo in my mind. I move through the clearing with a slow, steady gait, eventually arriving at a large lake of rippling water shining in the moonlight. It’s beautiful… painfully so. I wish he could see it with me. A sharp, stinging chill runs up my spine, drawing a deep growl from my throat as I scan the area. This doesn’t feel right. It feels like I’m being… watched. Across the water, my eyes pick up a trace of movement in the tall brush. I crouch down to the ground, backing into the cover of the trees to watch from a safe distance. It can’t be…

Suddenly, a loud, bellowing howl echoes around the lake, rippling in the water before the largest wolf I’d ever seen steps from the brush. Its thick, black fur blends in with the darkness, the perfect camouflage for the cover of the night. The only distinct feature I see from my hiding spot are the wolf’s glowing blue eyes, glaring directly at me from the other end of the lake. It’s just… staring. Waiting… Watching… I’ve never seen anything so haunting in my 20 years. However, it doesn’t feel threatening. It just feels… strange. The beastly wolf slowly turns away, moving back into the forest, suddenly leaving my surroundings feeling much emptier. I almost found myself wanting it to come back, just so I wouldn’t have to hide behind a human form anymore. I could just… be.

Ten Hours Later.

The return home was a painful, exhausting trek. I’d hunted all night, barely satiating my feral appetite before the sun had risen on the horizon. My gait is slow and weak as I slowly start to gain my bearings, recognizing some familiar parts of the environment around me. I’m practically crawling along the forest floor as the pain of my transformation starts to shoot through my frail body. A weak wail of agony rumbles from my throat as I approach my dorm’s front door, collapsing on the floor of my room with a cold shudder. I curl my knees up to my chin, the pain from my wounds burning across my frame. For now, all I can do is heal, no matter how hard it hurts. Even as the pain continues its ruthless attack on my human form, I can’t help but think about the wolf I’d seen at the lake. Even after all this time, he’s still looking out for me.