Madilynne

Madilynne's POV

He called me Madi, that was the nickname my dad called me by ever since I could remember. I hadn’t heard it in so long it felt strange. A part of me felt like I was getting a piece of my old life back before tragedy struck and tore my life apart. After I left my dad’s office I headed to my room to unpack all my stuff. And process everything.

I organized and found a home for everything, it felt like it took hours to do. Finally taking a moment, I reflected on the things my dad said. I was slightly scared of the wolf bond that would soon be happening but, a part of me felt like I’ve been waiting for this, I always felt like I was missing something, I can’t explain it. I decided to lay down and rest for the night, waiting for the wolf bond to take hold of me.

Hours. Hours passed by as I tossed and turned not getting an ounce of rest as I had planned. I looked at the clock on my bedside and it read 12:13 am. A heavy sigh left my lips, Great, it’s my birthday. I rolled over getting into a comfortable position on my belly, sprawled out. That’s when it hit me.

It slowly started as a light and warm sensation over my body, then it grew to something bigger. It felt like my body was being swallowed whole by the hellfire itself. A scream ripped from my throat as it got hotter and hotter. I tossed and turned, trying to cool myself down, throwing the blankets from my body. Suddenly I felt pressure in the back of my head like something was trying to breakthrough. That’s when I remembered what dad had said: "don’t be scared, don’t fight it, open your mind to your wolf." With the fiery pain engulfing my body I took a deep breath to calm myself and empty my mind of everything. Nothing. Everything was dead silent, then I heard a voice. It sounded far and faint, but I heard it.

The pain of everything started to dissipate, and that’s when my wolf spoke for the first time. It felt like taking my first real breath.

‘I’m here now, do not be afraid.’ The voice was light, comforting, like a gentle summer breeze.

I gasped as she spoke in my mind, this is crazy. I shouldn’t be hearing voices in my own mind. I decided to talk back, crazy I know.

‘H-hey, wolfie.’ Was my great response to her.

My wolf laughed, she laughed. ‘hi, human. I am your wolf, you can call me willow.’

‘Willow, I like it. You can call me Madi.’ I smiled to her. ‘Well Madi, it’s nice to meet you. Now that all the pleasantries out of the way we need to shift.’ she said sternly.

‘S-shift?’ I said slightly panicked.

‘Yes, to complete our bond we must shift under the moon. Don’t worry I will guide you, my human.’ With what my wolf said I felt myself climbing out of bed and headed outside like I knew what I was doing. I walked to the tree line just behind the house where the river met the soil. My bare feet, sinking into the cool grass as I took in my surroundings. I started to take all my clothes off.

Standing there now unclothed, I took a deep breath. The fresh air was freeing, it felt like I belonged here. My body started to burn a little, my skin crawled with a deep unsatisfied itch, and my bones felt like they were separating from their sockets. I bit back a cry of pain when my body started to burn and itch, I felt fur starting to sprout and my bones starting to change form. ‘Don’t fight it Madi, embrace it. It will hurt for a moment but it will set you free.’ Listening to my wolf calmed me, and I took in another breath calming my heightened nerves. I let go of my worries and let the change take hold of me. I opened my eyes and looked down to see pure white fur. It looked as white as snow itself. I took a hesitant step forward closer to the river in front of me and peered at my reflection. I gasped ‘You’re so beautiful willow! Your eyes, they’re..’

‘Gold? I know and yes WE are quite eye-catching’ My wolf said smugly, I could picture her smirking back at me. Sassy. Great I have a sassy wolf. ‘Heard that, human.’ I giggled back to my wolf ‘sorry still new at this, so what do you say we explore and go for a run or something?’

My wolf howled in agreement, I relaxed and fell to the back of my mind watching my wolf race through the trees. She chased the small forest creatures and darted through the river enjoying the nature that surrounded us. I felt at peace like I was finally home. After a few hours of running my wolf gave control back to me so we could transform back to my human body.

‘Just imagine your human form, feel it.’ My wolf encouraged me. I slowly started to feel my bones shift and snap back in place, back into my body. Both of us worn out, I headed back to the house to get some sleep before the sun rose. ‘I need my rest now Madi, I will be dormant for a while but I am here when you need me.’ My wolf said in my mind.

She sounded exhausted, hell I was too. ‘Okay, willow get some rest.’ I replied back. I crawled back into my disheveled bed and fell into a peaceful sleep, finally.