Arctic currents carried crystals of frost that flew amongst the forest like miniature razors. Mercilessly, they pierced my fur and burned like droplets of scalding water.
Winter gripped on tightly to this land.
The trees were all dusted in a feathery layer of snow. The white powder too thin to mask their rich evergreen foliage, but contributed to their ornamental appearance. Their frozen branches glittered relentlessly in the heatless sunlight.
My heavy pants visualized before me as clouds of condensed moisture. Hardly noticing as I galloped right through them. Too absorbed in the chase I had before me.
My vision narrowed, the image of a white cotton tail and two oblong feet the only thing I saw.
The stretch and recoil of my muscles circling each other in rapid repetition. Reloading with a mind of their own.
Blood barreled through my veins like hydraulic pumps and fed an endless supply of oxygen for my body to burn. Firing up every nerve cell I had, making the chase even more exhilarating.
I clenched my canines together with anticipation. Knowing soon they'd crunch into the scurrying rabbit.
Saliva pooled onto my tongue at the mere thought of a fresh kill.
My legs now propelling my body forward through the heavy snow. Billows of powder erupting with each landing, sending sprinkles of ice in every direction.
The furry creature darted across the ground's white surface, flicking up small flurries in it's place.
I could now hear the pattering of the creature's heart. The noise resembling the starting trill of a diesel engine, but quieter.
In it's desperation, it veered to my left towards a downhill slope. Perhaps in hope that gravity and momentum would allow it to evade my pursuit.
However, it had the opposite effect.
With the added force, the rabbit's foot broke through the snow's hard cover and snagged. The trip causing it to somersault down the slope.
Every choice had it's outlook in this world.
Every mistake had it's cost.
Survival doesn't favour the mistaken.
Descending with one large leap, my prey taking all my focus. I hadn't expected the blow that bloomed in my side.
The unknown object threw me sideways, away from the recovered rabbit disappearing into the brush.
I landed bumpily into the soft snow, the powder concaving to form a hollow imprint of my body.
The wind was expelled bitterly from my lungs. An nauseating ache sprouted in my chest as I tried to breath steadily.
Within moments I was up and stood defensively, my posture rigid and fur prickled. Growling my warning to my attacker.
Distress and confusion dissipated as I discerned the wolf that stood playfully in front of me.
The distinct flaxen layered fur with a melanin lacking nose was unmistakably.
This wolf was Rachel, my oldest friend.
She was currently crouched, front legs splayed and tail thumping happily on my ground. Her jaw hung open and her breathing was hard and excited.
Instantly, I reeled back my aggressive display and replaced it with more relaxed behaviour. Dropping my tail and letting my legs loosen from their previously stiff position.
Rachel bounced and skittered in her lowered position, eyes inviting me to give chase. The snow was clumping to her underside, but she didn't appear to be bothered.
The moment I take a step forward, Rachel rockets away. Her legs running as fast as they could, making her soar above the ground.
My instinctive reflex to chase responded before I could even realize what was happening. I catapulted after her, letting my mind be consumed by rascality.
Unlike before, the objective of our game did not involve truly snaring the other but simply was with the intent of frolicking.
As though my feet had burst into flames, I ascended and overtook Rachel's pace, sprinting to the front. Our paws' bounding like elk through the snow, occasionally leaping or kicking from uncontrollable adrenaline.
Once we scaled the hilltop that laid just outside the treeline the whole pack land materialized like a rising sun.
From that spot you could see the entire territory.
Surrounded by mountains rested a lake that a small town settled beside. The town I was born and raised in.
It was the Stone Lake pack.
Stone Lake was a small isolated territory. The closest neighboring pack was a day and half trek through the mountains on foot.
While the landscape provided protection from invaders and majority of the harsh weather, it also allowed the pack to grow lethargic and ignorant.
There were many times I inquired the Alpha to instigate stricter training regimen to better prepare for an invasion. But my efforts fell on sedentary ears and were easily dismissed.
While others may feel unconcerned about outside affairs, I've seen what powers lie beyond the protection of our mountains. The infinite dominions that seemingly envelop everything in sight from sheer mass alone.
These memories kept me awake some nights. Staring blankly, remembering the overwhelming power they casted. Numb from the notion that we would be helpless in the face of it.
Recently the sleepless nights have been more frequent.
Foreboding loomed menacingly in the future. I could sense it.
Trotting into town, Rachel flanked my side as we padded down the sidewalk panting our exhaustion. I followed, my claws lightly scratching along the bricks with every step.
In town most walked in skin, but it was just as common to see a wolf jotting through the stores and paths as someone on two legs.
Though, composure was key.
It's far easier for the animalistic part to takeover while in fur. Which was hardly acceptable in public everyday settings.
There was a primal and tempting element about being shifted. The transformation not only changed one's physical form but also spiritual.
The mind in skin is restless and obscured, while in fur it becomes focused and reduces things down to one variable at a time. Like an image from a TV being recalibrated, making the static go away.
It's easy to forget one's self in those simple basic needs and desires. To let the wolf part swallow you entirely.
My inner wolf I call Magara. Occasionally I will feel her try and rear to the surface and drown my human nature away, like a leaking tap in my mind. Seeking the opportunity for the wolf to takeover and let instincts rule.
Only few are able to access this unlimited well of power.
Only the most powerful.
Soon, Rachel and I scaled the front steps of the largest building in our territory; the pack house. Home to the Alpha and his family as well as his beta and their family: my mother.
Her position meant that both my older two brothers and I grew up in this house.
While the notable status was a privilege it was also a curse. High enough that I was obligated to represent my position with esteem and strength, but too low for any of that power to be used for anything of importance.
Frustration and rage would tear through me at the notation I was only a trained dog told to sit and behave.
Rachel pawed the thick wooden door, her nails gliding along the varnished surface.
We waited patiently at the door, ears perked forward and tail pointed straight. Listening for footsteps, I heard the tip taps of shoes and the compassionate voice of someone I knew well.
"Hold your horses! I'm coming!" From behind the door they cried out.
A moment and then the door was swung open, revealing Louisa the head caretaker of the house.
"Aspen! Rachel! Oh! It's been far too long!" Louisa gushed when she spotted the two of us. "Please come in out of the cold, dears!"
Stepping back she held open the door for us.
I shook my coat out, trying to dislodge as much snow from the fur as possible, before scampering inside. Rachel following my lead as we scuttled up the stairs to my old bedroom.
Rachel looked at me and then made a gesture with her head which I understood what she was getting at.
I let the shift wash over me.
Hair on my body started to retract and dissolve in the follicles. The teeth being drawn up completely, absorbed by the body, before a set of perfect human teeth emerged.
I could listen to bones grinding like someone was grinding gravel and breaking like sticks as they aligned and hardened.
My muscles grew and deteriorated to better suit my skin form.
The shift takes time to become accustom to, but eventually only takes moments before complete.
Grabbing some old shorts and t-shirts, I threw a pair at Rachel before putting on my own.
Rachel shrugged them on and collapsed dramatically on the spongy comforter that dressed the bed. A puff of air she was holding loudly escaping her chest as she pressing her face into the fluffy pillow.
I sit on the bed and look down, smirking at her.
"What's wrong?" Giggling a little.
She turns her head to the side only enough so her eyes can peer up at me.
"You know what." She sighed dolefully, her lustrous blonde hair encircling her sliver of exposed face.
My mood darkened grimly as I bared in mind what Rachel was referring to.
Of course I knew.
"It's going to be fine." I promised, despite the unnerving thoughts that lingered and whispered in my mind.
Rachel suddenly sat up, the comforter crinkling as she did so, and looked at me. Her face hesitant about what she was about to utter.
"They scare me, Aspen." Her voice blunt and honest. "A lot scares me, you know this. But..." Her eyes search for the right words, although the scent of her uneasiness already told me everything.
"The Red Druids terrify me."