1
NATASHA
Gusts of excitement fluttered through theShadow Bornvillage, as preparations for the long-awaitedfire ceremonybegan. The swirling joy mixed with the billows of fog crawling along the earth, and the cool air of the morning atop theCrystal Glow Mountains.
A small chill ran down my spine as the breeze swept me in a soothing caress, not because I was cold—that was virtually impossible for me—but because my senses awoke with the delightful smells of pine trees and spice cones. An indulging smile curved my lips when I stopped on the edge of the cliff, glancing down at the orange, red, and yellow leaves that painted the mountain skirt like a canvas, while soft white snow adorned the surrounding peaks.
I loved living here. So close to the clouds that humans could only ever dream of it, yet close enough to the city to make sure they were all safe. We, however, fit perfectly in this beautiful forest we called home. Because we were special…
Supernaturals. Protectors. Wolf Shifters.
“Good morning, Natasha!”
“Morning, Greta!” Waving at the sweet, older woman and her three daughters—Willa, Frederica, and Ilsa—I resumed my way back to the house after taking a hot shower in the communal bathroom.
Sure, we were Wolf Shifters, but we weren’t animals. Though we lived at the top of the mountain, our village was still equipped with some of the advantages of the modern, human world… even if we weren’t a part of it or allowed to visit.
Greta and her daughters, with the rest of the pack’s breeders, hung white and golden-colored lanterns from the trees along the large clearing, arranging strings of white orchids all around the area designated for the ancient and sacred event.
“Are you excited to finally complete the fire trial?” Willa’s voice carried the same feeling of happiness everyone shared, its wisps seeping into my pores with each step.
“More than you know…” My gaze traveled over the forest beneath us, extending to the bustling city beyond the ever-changing trees—where humans lived. Both contentment and nostalgia filled my being. It was a sight that had fed my soul each day since I could remember, and I didn’t think I could ever get tired of it. Most of all, I couldn’t wait to be part of that world too.
Two more days…
An extra kick of exhilaration rushed through my being, tying my stomach in knots. This year, thefire ceremony just so happened to fall on the day of my nineteenth birthday… The day my life would finally change.
My steps suddenly faltered when kids ran across my path, a little one bumping against my knee in his rush to keep up with the older ones. “Oh! Careful there, little cub.”
Lifting the three-year-old boy in my arms, I kissed his chubby cheek and set him down again to join his friends. Ourkids weren’t really wolf cubs since our race required ancient fire magic to fully acquire our mystical wolf forms, and they were too small to be put through the excruciating experience of trying to shift without that magic, but they loved it when I called them cubs.
Grinning widely with the compliment, he waved me goodbye and ran away, eliciting a chuckle from me before I resumed my pace.
Once I entered our house, I hung the wet towel on the back of the chair, before closing the curtains for privacy. The “house” was a tiny cabin—only big enough for a kitchenette, a small table with two chairs, a couple of twin-size beds, a closet, and a desk—but Isis and I didn’t need anything more.
I knelt in front of Isis’ bed, pulled out the suitcase hidden underneath it, and took out the phone she kept stashed inside it. A smile instantly captured my lips seeing the hundreds and hundreds of comment notifications on the screen, and the exhilaration they stirred joined the glee already rushing widely through me.
The purple and blue extensions Isis had gifted me on my last birthday were out next, so I sat in front of the small mirror on the desk, placing them along the strands of my all-white hair—just like she taught me. They looked so freaking awesome that I wished for the millionth time they were real.
Our Alpha, however, would probably strangle me with his bare hands if they were. The fur of a Wolf Shifter was the most sacred thing we had, and it shouldneverbe dyed or changed in any way.
Not that it mattered, I doubted my unusual strands could be dyed even if I was allowed to try… And my fur was already “damaged” enough.
Sadness began to tinge my emotions as I glanced at myself in the mirror. The jagged mark that tainted my childhood staredback at me, eliciting a painful reminder I hadn’t been able to escape for years.
Swiftly pushing it all away, I stood, taking off my plain, linen dress and changing into one of the pretty outfits Isis’ left in the suitcase for me. My life was about to begin, andnothingwas going to ruin the happiness growing inside me…
Once I fully shifted with the mystical fire, I would become who I was always meant to be. A magical and powerful she-wolf warrior. Uncle Arnoldt—sorry, our Alpha—would welcome me into his vampire hunting pack, and I’d finally step outside this beautiful place I called home.
I would taste freedom…
For so long, I had prepared for this. So long I’d waited to be part of the Hunters. To enter the human world, mingle with them, and protect them like our shifter race was created to do.
Two more days. Only two more…
I opened the closet and reached for the false wall at the back, taking out my most precious treasure—one of my makeup bins. Once I was ready, I set up the phone to record as Isis always did and hit start.
“Hello, makeup queens! It’s your bestie, Selena, with my weekly report of the new products you shouldn’t miss. I’ll also be answering all your questions from last week, and most of all, satisfying your requests for awesome new looks. Let’s begin!”
