My mom’s chin tips up with pride, one side of her mouth curving as she winks at me. Meanwhile, my dad’s eyebrows shoot up and his eyes warm, a smile stretching across his face.
“We never had any doubt,” Mom says. “We knew you’d figure itout.”
“You should show them!” Reverie says, then her feet start tip-tapping on her pillow. “Oh, oh! Can I pick?”
“Pick?” Dad asks.
“Her animal,” Reverie says, like that should have been obvious.
I laugh, her enthusiasm combined with her acting like it’s normal eases my nerves.
“Sure, Rev. You can pick.”
She steps off her pillow and flies up in front of my face, then crosses one arm and props her other elbow on it, with her chin resting on her fist. She searches my eyes for some unknown sign.
I raise my eyebrows as we all wait.
She gives one decisive nod, then streaks back to her pillow and stands as tall and straight as she can.
“A wolf,” she says, and Asher immediately grins, apparently agreeing with her choice. I eye the two of them, wondering what they know that I don’t.
“Okay, wolf it is.”
I stand and go to the bathroom, leaving the door ajar behind me, then shed my clothes and take a deep breath. I close my eyes and turn my attention inward, finding that bright, pulsing essence beneath my skin. I smile, tip my chin up and push my shoulders back, then I pull.
The shift ripples over my body, tingles race across my skin as fur sprouts in their wake and my limbs reshape, my back curls, my face elongates. I haven’t fully shifted into a wolf before now, and I’m curious what I look like. Unfortunately, I’m too short to see in the mirror above the sink.
I nudge the door open and lope back into the kitchen.
Reverie leaps into the air, her wings fluttering madly as she whoops and claps.
Asher leans back in his chair, a tiny smile curving the corners of his mouth as he takes in my new, full wolf form.
My dad’s eyes are glassy, and both my parents stand, round the table, and kneel in front of me.
“Oh, my beautiful girl,” my mom says. “Look at you.”
She reaches out a hand and runs it through my fur, and I can’t help but lean into her touch. I’ve never had this before. It’s something everyone else in my family has experienced for years, and I didn’t truly know what I was missing until now. An involuntary whine comes from my throat, and I flatten my ears to my head, not having meant to let the emotion out.
I nudge the top of my head into my dad’s chest, and they both wrap their arms around me, holding me tight.
“We are so proud of you,” my dad whispers. “So proud.”
I back up, feeling overwhelmed with so much attention focused on me, and turn toward the bathroom. I’m preparing to shift into human form again when Asher softly calls out behind me.
“You want a picture, little shifter?” he says. “So you can see your wolf?”
This man somehow knows me better than I know myself. When I stop and turn around, then sit in front of him, he quirks a smile and pulls his phone out of his pocket. I prick my ears up and look right at the camera as he takes a picture.
“Perfect.”
I turn into the bathroom and he pulls the door closed behind me, then I allow myself to tingle back into my human skin, letting out a sigh filled with hope and relief, wonder and satisfaction.
When we pile backinto the car, mine and Reverie’s bellies full to bursting, I unzip the top of the bag so Reverie can peek out and chat with us. I can feel her buzzingwith anticipation through the backpack, and I suspect it’s equal parts excitement and nerves.
“Got a surprise for you when we get there,” Asher grins as he glances over, but instead of looking at me, he looks down at Reverie.
“For me?” she squeaks, and he nods, a pleased smile on his face as he navigates the road with one hand steady on top of the wheel.
