391- Man Again
POV Viktor Averwyn:
My jaw adapted, elongating, teeth growing larger and larger. My eyes burned, feet turning into paws. The entire time, my focus remained locked on Seraphine. And she stood frozen, eyes wide as saucers.
I snarled fiercely as my body gained strength and began lowering toward the ground. My spine lengthened, a tail emerging. I howled at the sky, sending birds flying madly away and other animals fleeing through the forest. I could hear every single one perfectly, even an insect buzzing meters away.
My vision changed, beyond anything human, colors brighter and sharper. Her scent filled me as though perfume were being poured straight into my lungs, alive and throbbing. Driving me wild.
I stood on four paws, a complete massive black wolf with golden eyes.
Seraphine stepped back, pressing a hand to her chest.
Panting, completely astonished.
Beautiful and fragile there in my domain, before a giant, threatening wolf. One that could split her in half with a single swipe.
I didn’t move, letting her adjust, letting her understand I would never be a danger to her.
I licked myself, happy in my lupine freedom, wanting to show off for her. To be seen and admired too, just as I was with my human appearance. I sat down so her fear would ease. She had to be somewhat in shock, despite knowing everything.
An even colder wind blew.
And we stayed there in silence. Warm pleasure wrapped around me when she didn’t run, but instead took uncertain steps toward me.
“Viktor?” Her voice barely came out. I stared directly into her eyes, and she gasped. “I recognize you.”
She approached slowly until she stood before me. Even sitting, I was enormous. A complete beast.
Her gaze traveled over every part of me. The wind moving through my glossy fur, every detail. Then she extended her hand, and I barely breathed. Completely still.
Pleasure nearly made me howl again when her slender fingers sank into the black mantle and Seraphine stroked my head. Slow, attentive, holding her breath. Her scent was so good I wanted to lick her.
I didn’t move at all, simply allowed it. She stepped closer, touching me with both hands. Whispering:
“You’re so beautiful…”
Relief crashed over me. I smiled inwardly, satisfied, proud. I turned my head and inhaled the scent of the skin on her arm, completely in love. My wolf side savoring her affection.
Seraphine dropped to her knees beside me and wrapped her arms around my neck, her face buried in my fur, her touch driving me insane. I licked my lips again, thirsty for her. Still fully controlled by my consciousness.
She stayed there against me. Both of us silent, surrounded by the Trovants and ancient trees, in that wild land as untamed as my blood, full of mysteries and secrets. A woman and a wolf.
Despite all the differences, none of it mattered.
The wind blew hard and she moved, pulling back enough to look into my eyes before rising. I did the same, ready to become the Viktor she knew again.
I focused, and the reversal began.
Jaw retracting, fur disappearing, spine straightening. Bones returning to place, along with organs and cells. I stood upright and let out a growl. Until I became a naked man again, lashed by the cold against pale skin, strands of hair falling over my forehead. My gaze still fixed on Seraphine.
There were tears in her eyes, emotional. Amazed. Shaken.
She ran to me and threw her arms around me. I held her tightly, kissing her hair. That was when I looked toward the trees and felt the moment tremble.
Part of the images that had haunted me since the previous day burst through my mind in flashes. Fire, screams, my mother’s voice. She was urgently telling me something.
“Seraphine… sit over there.” I pointed toward an area between the stones where low grass covered the ground, the memories growing stronger.
“What happened? Viktor?”
“Do it. I’m having recollections. I need to concentrate.”
She released me immediately and obeyed without another word.
Then everything vanished.
I was running through snow sinking beneath my feet. I dropped the dead deer I’d been carrying over my shoulders when I saw smoke rising from the cabins. I had just returned from hunting in the forest.
I rushed toward the valley as fast as I could. I saw neighbors running too, some in human form, others half-transformed, and wolves as well. It was complete chaos, and I grabbed a man, shouting at him:
“What happened?”
“We were attacked out of nowhere! We’re surrounded!”
He ran off, grabbing a child along the way and sprinting wildly toward the forest. A silver arrow pierced his chest, throwing him backward. The boy turned around crying and was struck too.
In shock, I saw a massive number of wolves emerging from every direction, killing with claws, fangs, arrows. Instantly, I thought of my family, that little boy making me think of Edric.
I used every ounce of speed toward my house, momentary relief flooding me when I realized it wasn’t burning like so many others nearby. I wanted to stop, help those screaming trapped inside homes I’d known my whole life. But first I needed to save my brothers. That was what my father had always made me promise.
I kicked the door open and heard screams.
And then, for the first time, I heard my own voice as I pulled Edric from my mother’s arms and saw them safe there, Aldren panicked.
“Where’s Father?”
“Viktor, he was at the meeting with the Elders! It started all of a sudden!” Her usual calm had shattered into panic. “Get out with your brothers! Run and don’t look back!”
“Where are you going?”
“To find Aslan.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No!” She turned, her black eyes glowing vivid gold, expression ferocious. “Protect Aldren and Edric! You’re far too important, son! You’re what they want!”
“Mother…”
“We don’t have time!”
“But why us?” Aldren nearly shouted as we followed her toward the back door.
“It’s the prophecy. Your father and I always knew! You are the Supreme Alphas and one day you’ll change our world. Please, escape! Don’t let them catch you. Promise me you’ll stay together and fulfill what was written by our ancestors!”
“I’m not leaving you alone!” I grabbed her when she threw open the door and shoved us outside, Edric still clinging to me, eyes wide.
“GO!” she roared, already transforming, enormous, with powerful claws and fangs, eyes filled with command. “Now! Don’t look back!”