‘Nin- argh!’ I cry out.
My back snaps loudly right in the middle of my spine. The pack doctor kneels by my side. Everyone whispers they have never seen a shift like this cause such immense pain, almost to the point of death.
'Give him space, get back!' my mother urgently commands, creating a clearing around me.
'Where is she?' I manage to choke out, the worry evident in my eyes.
'Where is who?' my mother asks, puzzled.
No words escape my lips as the transformation takes hold. My limbs snap into place, and a cascade of white fur bursts forth, reshaping my face. I stand on all fours, releasing a mighty howl that reverberates through the hall, causing gasps of awe and admiration.
The beauty and sheer size of my wolf leave the crowd stunned. But in the depths of my wolf's consciousness, there's a singular focus: Moss. A ferocious growl emanates from me, teeth bared, and I leap over the startled onlookers.
Observing the unfolding chaos, my father turns to my mother with urgency. 'We need to shift now! His wolf is enraged, and we need to stop him before he hurts someone.' They swiftly shift and dash after me, leaving the crowd bewildered.
Rage engulfs my wolf. How dare Moss snatch Nina away from me? My vision is tainted red, and an insatiable thirst for blood, specifically Moss's blood, consumes me. While I sense others pursuing me, the familiar scent reassures me that my parents are racing to intervene.
My strides quicken, a swift, white blur cutting through the night as I hone in on Nina and Moss. My wolf instincts, sharp and keen, guide me as I follow her scent, leading me toward the parked cars. My howl pierces the air, echoing my determination—Moss will not escape my pursuit. As I draw near, a car roars to life, its engine's hum a taunting challenge.
Without hesitation, I leap onto the car's roof, my weight causing Nina to scream and Moss to swerve in surprise.
'Let me out, let me go!' Nina's desperate pleas fill the air.
'No, you are mine, Nina!' Moss retorts in anger.
'He will kill you, Moss!' Nina's voice cracks with fear.
'Let him try,' Moss laughs defiantly, pressing harder on the accelerator, recklessly swerving to shake me off.
I jump onto the car's bonnet and ram against the windshield. It cracks and breaks, shattering into thousands of pieces.
Nina continues to scream, scared Moss will crash and from him forcing her into the car in the first place. Unfazed, Moss pushes the accelerator further, tempting fate for both of them. I lunge, sinking my teeth into his left arm. Moss yelps in pain, his grip momentarily loosening. Amidst the chaos, he sharply swerves the car, and I lose my grip, rolling across the ground.
I catch up to them and jump back onto the car's roof just as the car plummets full force into a tree. The impact tosses me a dozen metres away.
Shaking off the dizziness, I rise on all fours, a vigilant silhouette against the night. I immediately focus on the wreckage—the car crumpled against the tree, smoke billowing ominously from the mangled bonnet.
My heart pounds with concern and urgency as I race towards the car for Nina.
I sprint towards the wreckage, but Moss is nowhere to be found. His scent leads into the woods. Nina remains unconscious in the front passenger seat, blood trickling down the left side of her head amidst shattered glass.
A desperate howl, tears from my throat echoing through the night. My parents appear, shifting into their human forms and clambering into the car.
'Where's Moss? You didn't kill him, did you?' Mother's worry is unmistakable.
I shake my head, a whimper escaping my throat.
My father approaches, cradling Nina. 'She needs to see the pack doctor right away,' he grimly states.
Lowering myself, I prepare to take Nina to the doctor. My father gently places her over my back, and I take off, each leap soaring like a bird, ensuring a smooth run to prevent any harm to her. My parents revert to their wolf forms, struggling to keep pace with my faster pace.
We return to the ceremony site, creating panic as everyone reacts to Nina's condition.
'Nina!' Amelia, her mother, screams. Leon joins her, gasping as they carefully lift and carry Nina, tears streaming down their faces. The pack doctor swiftly approaches and begins assessing her injuries.
'What happened to her?' Amelia asks, her eyes searching mine as my parents shift back.
'She was in a car accident. Moss was driving and fled the scene,' Astrid informs her.
'Let's get her to the packhouse, where I can tend to her wounds,' the doctor urges.
Leon cradles Nina, carrying her towards the packhouse.
My father addresses the startled crowd of guests. 'Thank you, everyone, for attending the ceremony, but it's now come to an end. Please enjoy the rest of your stay over the next couple of days,' he announces.
The guests disperse, heading towards their designated cabins nearby. Some she-wolves still attempt to gain my attention, eager to pet me. A low snarl emanates from me, just audible enough for them to hear, and I watch as they cower back and quickly change their minds.
Leon proceeds up the stairs, and I follow closely behind. Carefully, he places Nina on her bed, and the doctor promptly attends to her wounds, cleaning and bandaging them. Even in her unconscious state, Nina emits a soft whimper, triggering a protective growl from me. The doctor, sensing my hostility, backs away against the wall.
'Sorry, Magnus, I didn't mean to hurt her, but I must clean her wounds. She doesn't have her wolf yet, so she needs my help to heal properly,' he explains cautiously.
Amelia sits beside Nina, holding her hand, while Leon's gaze remains fixed on her, a mix of concern and seething anger. My parents arrive, and my mother questions, 'Magnus, aren't you going to shift back into human form?'
Ignoring their questions, I jump onto Nina's bed and curl beside her, taking up most of the space. I have no intention of leaving Nina's side until she wakes. My head rests on her lap, and both parents exchange a solemn look before nodding in understanding.
'Let us know when she wakes, okay, Magnus,' Leon says, and they leave the room with the doctor.
In the quiet of the room, I must have dozed off. The warmth of the sun filters through the window, warming my fur. Nina's hand now rests on my back, indicating she must have shifted in her sleep. Adjusting my position, I rest my head on her pillow, facing her, and drift back into a peaceful slumber.