CHAPTER 112: I BELONG TO THE WIND

{Elira}

~**^**~

The park was only a short walk from the mall, but by the time we arrived, the sun had already slipped lower, streaking the sky with crimson and violet.

Golden light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the wide open field that stretched before us.

It wasn’t just an ordinary park—this was one of the designated wolf-runs, a place designed for us to let loose without worrying about human eyes.

Tall fences covered in enchanted ivy surrounded the grounds, pulsing faintly with protective wards.

The air itself felt charged, heavy with the scents of earth, grass, and the faint musk of wolves who had run here earlier in the day.

Nari dropped her bags on a nearby bench with a dramatic sigh of relief. "Finally. My arms were about to fall off."

Juniper plopped down beside her, fanning herself. "All worth it. Tomorrow, we will look flawless."

Cambria smiled faintly but didn’t join them. Instead, she walked toward the center of the field, tilting her head back to breathe in the open air.

Tamryn, as always, was already scanning the area with sharp eyes, making sure no one was lurking nearby.

I followed, clutching my own bag more carefully than necessary. My heart began to pound—not from nerves about the run itself, but from the anticipation of what it meant.

This would be my first time running freely with them in wolf form apart from yesterday’s contest. But I wasn’t sure if I was going to wolf out again today.

Selene had said, ’Soon...’ I didn’t know if my timing was too fast.

But I had to try. It felt like the right thing, so I tried reaching out to her.

"Selene, are you with me?"

What felt like a long moment of silence followed. But to my surprise, I felt Selene stir inside me, her voice a warm, velvet ripple.

"Do not worry. Elira. I’m here with you now. You were made for this."

Instantly, a smile tugged at the edge of my lips. She was here, and already talking about the race.

"But what if I stumble? What if I can’t keep up?" I whispered inwardly.

Her tone softened, yet held unshakable certainty. "You will not stumble. You will soar. Trust me, Elira. I’m ready when you’re ready."

I swallowed, my face blooming into a full confident smile.

"Alright, ladies," Nari announced, standing again and brushing off her skirt. "Enough chatting. Who’s ready to run?"

"Me," Juniper said eagerly, already pulling at the hem of her dress like she couldn’t shift fast enough.

Cambria’s eyes shimmered as she nodded. Even Tamryn, though she kept her cool expression, set her bag carefully on the grass and began tugging her polo over her head.

The sight of them all preparing tugged at something deep in my chest. A few weeks ago, I couldn’t even reach my wolf, and now... now I was standing here about to run beside them.

Juniper was the first to shift, her laugh dissolving into a chorus of cracks and pops as fur rippled across her body. Within moments, a sleek silver wolf stood where she had been, tail swishing excitedly.

Nari followed, her transformation just as swift, her wolf’s coat a burnished gold that caught the last rays of the sun.

Cambria’s shift was slower, deliberate, her midnight-black wolf emerging with a grace that made my breath catch.

Tamryn last, her deep russet wolf padding forward with calm control.

Then it was my turn.

I closed my eyes and reached inward. Selene was already there, waiting with open arms.

Her power rose through me, a surge of warmth and strength, and my body answered—bones realigning, muscles stretching, skin prickling as fur burst forth.

The change didn’t even hurt just like the first time, it felt like slipping into my truest form.

When I opened my eyes again, the world was sharper, brighter. Every scent, every rustle of leaves, every flutter of wings high above felt alive in me.

I glanced at my friends, not roommates now, and they all looked back, tails wagging in excitement.

Juniper barked playfully, lowering her front paws in invitation.

I couldn’t stop my tail from swishing. With a burst of energy, I lunged forward, and the run began.

The five of us tore across the field, paws thundering against the earth, hearts beating in unison.

Wind rushed past my ears, carrying the sound of laughter that wasn’t quite laughter but something deeper, freer.

Juniper darted ahead, zigzagging with boundless energy. Nari chased after her, snapping playfully at her heels.

Cambria kept steady pace at my side, her presence like an anchor, while Tamryn brought up the rear, her russet form powerful and unshaken.

For the first time today, I felt... limitless. I was no longer the one who whispered prayers in desperation. It was just me and Selene. Just us, one being, running under the vast open sky.

"You see" Selene’s voice purred with quiet pride. "You belong to the wind. To freedom. To power. No one can take this from you now."

I barked in joy, pushing harder, faster, until the others had to match my stride.

The field blurred around us, and for that one endless evening, I wasn’t afraid of what lay ahead. I wasn’t weighed down by doubts.

I was alive.

By the time we finally slowed down, the field looked like it had been kissed by shadows, the sun nothing more than a golden rim along the horizon.

My breaths came in heavy pants, my paws damp with grass and soil. Selene hummed in contentment inside me, satisfied with our first true run.

We circled back toward the bench. Then one by one, we shifted back, bones cracking and sliding, fur retreating until we were all once again human, flushed and glowing with the kind of tired happiness that only came from freedom.

I sat down heavily on the bench, brushing stray grass from my legs as Nari stretched her arms overhead with a loud groan.

"That—" she panted, "was the best thing I’ve done all week."

Juniper laughed, sinking onto the grass. "Speak for yourself. I think I left my lungs somewhere back there."

Cambria’s lips curved in that quiet, knowing smile of hers as she slid her feet back into her shoes.

Tamryn, as usual, was composed, tying her short hair in a low bun as if she hadn’t just run like the wind with us.

Before anyone could catch their breath, Nari clapped her hands together. "Alright, everyone gather up. Selfie time."

A chorus of groans followed.

"Nari..." Tamryn said flatly, slipping her wristwatch back on.

"Don’t give me that tone," Nari countered with a grin, already holding up her phone. "This day deserves proof. Come on, don’t be boring."

Juniper immediately hopped up. "I’m in. My hair’s a mess, but I look wild and fabulous." She struck a mock pose, and Cambria chuckled softly before joining.

I sighed, but my smile betrayed me as I shuffled closer. Soon, Nari pulled us all into frame, her arm outstretched, her grin radiant. The camera clicked several times as she insisted on "just one more" until Tamryn finally cut her off.

"You can take as many as you like," Tamryn said coolly, folding her arms, "but don’t even think about posting them on your blog page. If the dorm mistress sees us parading online instead of studying, she will wring our necks."

Nari stuck out her tongue but didn’t argue. "Fine, fine. Personal memories only." She tapped her phone and tucked it away, still grinning.

The laughter faded into a quieter rhythm. Cambria leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

"Speaking of the dorm mistress... you all remember the general practical for Science of Scent & Tracking on Wednesday?"

We nodded almost in unison.

"They will probably split us into groups," Cambria went on, her gaze sweeping across us. "If that happens, let’s form one together. It will make things easier. I think we already know a little bit of each other’s strengths."

"That’s a brilliant idea," Juniper said at once, her face brightening.

Nari gave her a playful nudge. "Agreed. But only if Juniper promises not to daydream mid-task about Kaelen or anyone else."

Juniper gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, I am extremely focused when necessary."

I laughed along with the others, the warmth of the moment curling in my chest.

"Then it’s settled," Cambria said firmly.

We all nodded.

The evening air had cooled, tinged with the faint scent of blooming night flowers as we gathered our bags. None of us wanted to end the day just yet.

"The rooftop restaurant at Silverlight Square should be open now," Nari suggested, already bouncing to her feet. "We can walk there. It’s not too far."

Juniper agreed instantly, of course, and even Tamryn gave a small nod. Cambria’s eyes flicked to mine, silently asking, "You in?"

"Definitely," I said, smiling.

So we left the park, our footsteps light against the paved path.

The walk to Silverlight Square wasn’t long, but by the time we reached the rooftop restaurant, the air had fully shifted into night.

The building glowed with strings of silver lights wound along its balconies, and from the street below, laughter and the soft pulse of music floated upward.

We stepped into the elevator and rode it to the top, the faint thrill of height buzzing in my chest. When the doors opened, it was like stepping into another world.