“All of it,” he answered.“It might take some time to recollect, but it’s all there.I think it has everything to do with being made to be this way and never having been human.And you?”
“A blurry mess,” she responded.“But one I’m trying to make sense of in my own way now instead of shoving it down until it’s even foggier.I see their faces in unexpected places — my family, my brother especially.I can’t remember a lot of my life, but I can recall our home and the beach we used to visit.I never wanted to remember what I’d lost, but now — Parisa called it ‘a good kind of hurt.’”
Hugh unhooked their arms and slid his hand down to hers, locking their fingers together.“My life is filled with that kind of hurt.It is good, even when it rips you to pieces sometimes.”
Sera nodded.“I feel more together now that I’m not ignoring it on purpose.”
“Because you’re no longer severing one part of yourself from the rest.”He squeezed her hand.“Every day you find more ways for me to be a little more proud to be your friend.”
“Even when I’m a mess?”Sera laughed.
Hugh smiled.“Especially when you’re a mess.”
“Welcome home.”Holding her coffee cup to her lips, Sera grinned as Parisa shook a few stray raindrops from her coat.
Beside her, she’d set up a fresh pot of tea, two white roses from the greenhouse, and some blobby, flat macarons she’d attempted to make with Emmaline earlier.
“Good to be home,eshgham.”Parisa shed her coat, revealing a dark green dress with embroidered details on the scalloped collar.
“How was Alpha Clyde?”
“Boisterous and opinionated, as always.”Parisa took her seat diagonally from Sera.She sighed with contentment as she sunk into her armchair.“Oh Sera, these are lovely!”Parisa dipped her head to sniff the roses up close.“Picture perfect.”
“Unlike the macarons.”
Parisa smiled.“No, those are perfect, too.Especially with a fresh pot of tea to warm me up after a chilly run.”
“So Alpha Clyde —“
“Was grumbling about traditions and rules at first, but he genuinely wishes us well.I barely had to argue.I think he’s a real softie now under all that beard.”Parisa poured herself a cup of tea and took one of the misshapen macarons.
“With him supporting us, it shouldn’t be too hard to deal with the rest of the local packs,” Sera said.
“I wouldn't go that far.I think we still have an uphill battle with some of them, but knowing the Crooked Creek Pack is in our corner does a lot to bolster my spirit.”Parisa leaned forward, a gleam in her eye.“Would you fancy a run tonight?”
“Isn’t it raining?”
“Hardly.”Parisa waved a dismissive hand.“And when has that stopped us before?I’m buzzing with energy and possibilities right now and I need to run.”
Sera smiled, setting down her coffee cup.“I’d love to.”
For the first time in years, maybe ever, she didn’t feel that insatiable urge to transform and leave this body behind.She would have been perfectly content to stay here — stay Sera — by the fire with Parisa.
Parisa stood.
“Wait, you mean now?”Sera balked.
“I can’t wait.I meant it when I said I was buzzing.”She bent over to plant a kiss on Sera’s lips and broke it off with a smile.“It’s a good thing.I just don’t know what to do with it.”She kissed the tip of Sera’s nose.
Parisa’s energy was contagious.As she got up, Parisa took hold of her hand and led her outside.
They ran through the misty drizzle to the stable where they caught their breath in between fits of laughter.Parisa was so bright when she was like this, Sera had no choice but to take her in her arms and kiss her smile until it melted into something sweeter.
Pulling back, Sera rubbed the tip of their noses together then nuzzled into the crook of her neck, dotting Parisa’s skin with gentle kisses there, too.Parisa giggled.Despite the chill in the air, the world felt warm and full of possibilities.
They snuck glances at one another as they shed their clothing, both grinning until the moment came to welcome the transformation.Sera held onto herself, her own laughter, her own smile, until the last moment she could.When the wolf finally claimed her, she stood on all fours feeling joyful and strong.
Parisa came up beside her, brushing their sides together before she playfully nipped at Sera’s fur.She jumped back, her tail wagging, and Sera leapt after her.Parisa took off running in the opposite direction, out into the night.
Sera followed after her — wild, free, and very much in love.
