The Alpha Fates: book 1, "Their First Howl"

Chapter 4 - Luna -

PureStar watched as the three stammered and looked lost, as they had every right to, I could barely believe my eyes at the sight.

Never once since she was born had she ever shifted to her human form, I was starting to wonder if she ever had one. Yet, there she stood on the riverbank in a long white dress barefoot with her tail by her side.
The councilmen scoffed and left without warning while Wyoa rubbed her hands nervously over her suit, calling out to PureStar before walking away,

"Beware yourself, Pup."

As soon as they were far from the pack and their scents vanished PureStar dropped to her knees and started gasping, I ran to her and shifted when I got closer. Reaching down and taking her shaking hands in my own, her breathing slowing slightly as her face lifted up to meet my own.
"How!?"

I didn't understand what she was asking, at first I thought she was asking how she shifted but then she clutched my hands and spoke in one breath.

"How can you bare this!? I feel trapped!"

Of course, she had been in her wolf form for nearly 17 years, she had no idea that being human was like putting yourself inside a cage when you were made to run. PureStar had held the calm and cool composure in front of the council members but was itching to scream, so now trembling on her knees she was ready to snap.
"Calm down, take a moment. It's different and uncomfortable but once you let the wave of panic wash over it gets easier..."

It took a moment but as her breathing calmed she lifted her hand and watched her fingers move, reaching up to touch her wolf ears which poked through the white hair.
PureStar watched my face as she spoke,

"This...isn't normal, is it?"

It was most definitely not, never had I ever seen an Aurashifter in their human form keep their wolf ears or tail, when you shifted it was like you pushed your wolf-self to the back of your mind. Some found it comfortable not smelling every scent of the woods, not hearing all the twigs snap under their paws or feet.
Some didn't but it was how it was, except PureStar.

PureStar could still have the scents of a wolf, the hearing, speed and strength but be in her human and, I suppose you could call it Half-Form. Gently I lifted her up onto her feet and held PureStar's shoulders while taking her first steps in her Half-Form, only letting my grip loose when she started to lean on me less.

"Amberclaw?"
"Yeah?"
"Would I still have gone to the Regathering if I hadn't of shifted?"

She already knew the answer but I was assuming she wanted to hear it from me, so I answered truthfully.
"No."

PureStar took another step on her own before looking back up towards me, her face tense.
"Can I turn back now?"
But I shook my head no, letting go of her shoulders and taking a step back as I spoke.
"You need to learn to get comfortable in this and your full human form otherwise you can't join the Regathering, you know why."

She would be a threat, and could still be. If she didn't learn to control her shifting in the next 3 days she would have to stay behind, at that her eyes narrowed with a gleam. PureStar started taking a few steps on her own, stumbling slightly before growing more confident in her walk until it turned into a jog.
As she did a circle around the pack grounds she came to a slow when approaching me, smiling slightly before I pointed to her ears and tail,

"Do you think you can try tucking them away now?"

I could see she was uncomfortable with that idea, shifting into full human form would be suffocating and we both knew it but before she could attempt to shift once again, Honeyglow in her own human form came up to my side.
"Now now dear, that's plenty for now. If we push the girl she'll be burnt out before having a chance to shine...Now come along PureStar, let's get a better look at you."

PureStar left with Honeyglow into the den and I took a deep breath, my chest tightening a little as I let out the air. She would control her shifting before then, I was sure, she advanced faster than most which means she would almost definitely be joining the Regathering.

And I will be gone, with the wind, water and stars before she returns.