SEE YOUR WOLF

"Okay, I understand," Catherine said.

"Get ready. Shifting from human to wolf is quite painful, and that's what stops many from being able to shift," Luca warned.

"I'm ready. Even if it costs me my life, I'll do it."

"Okay," Luca replied. "But for now, we need to arrange everything and continue our journey."

As the sun began to rise, its golden rays filled the woods with beauty. The night had long gone, and for Catherine, this felt like a new beginning.

Finally, she would become something more. Her pack always looked down on her because she couldn't shift, gossiping behind her back. But today, everything would change. Today marked the start of her training.

They both stood up, packing their belongings and cleaning up the mess from the night before.

"So, Luca, how far is it to your father's hut?" Catherine asked, breaking the silence.

"Not too far from here. But before we get there, you'll have made significant progress in your training."

"Another question," Catherine shot back. "Don’t be offended."

"Why would I be?" Luca asked. "I hardly get angry."

Catherine stared at him. "You? You hardly get angry?"

"What? Why are you so surprised?" Luca chuckled.

"I mean, how can a man who turns into such a huge beast hardly get angry?" she teased.

"Come on, Cat. Don’t flatter me," he said with a grin. "But I'm serious—I rarely get mad."

"Well, if you say so. But honestly, you were huge."

Luca smiled. He liked the fact that Catherine praised him, but he didn’t want her to know that.

"Alright," he said. "Now that everything’s ready, let’s keep moving."

They carried their loads and continued their journey. After some time, they reached a part of the forest where the path split into four broad lanes.

Luca paused.

"Why did you stop?" Catherine asked.

He turned to her, smiling. "This is where your first lesson begins," he said.

"Really? So, what do I have to do?" she asked, intrigued.

"You have to see your wolf and communicate with it," Luca explained.

"See my wolf?" Catherine repeated. "How the hell am I supposed to see my wolf? I’ve never shifted before."

"That’s because you're not in touch with your wolf," Luca replied. "I’ll teach you how to communicate with it. It’s crucial. It can even help you if you’re lost in the forest—wolves have higher instincts and never get lost. Your wolf will guide you."

"How do you know all this?" Catherine asked, curious.

"Well, because I'm a werewolf. And my dad taught me," Luca said with a smirk. "Now, sit down."

They both sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Close your eyes," Luca instructed.

"Okay," Catherine said, following his lead.

"Now, look within you and imagine your wolf. Whatever you see—that’s your wolf."

"Okay," she said, concentrating deeply. But after a moment, she opened her eyes. "That can't be my wolf."

"What did you see?" Luca asked.

"Well, I saw noodles with fried eggs and potatoes. Turns out I have cravings."

Luca placed his palm on his head. "We'll keep trying until you get it. Try again."

She closed her eyes but still couldn’t see it.

"What now?" Luca asked.

"Butterflies," she sighed.

"You have a weird mind," Luca said, shaking his head. "Try again."

She repeated the process over and over, but nothing happened. After what felt like the hundredth time, *boom*—she finally saw something.

It started with a flashback to the day she ran away. The pain of the memory was unbearable, so she tightened her eyes. But when she loosened them, she saw it—a beautiful, white wolf with green eyes, its fur thick and fluffy. It was much larger than she had imagined.

The sight of it pulled her in, the bond between them feeling stronger than anything she’d ever felt—even stronger than her connection with Kieran. She moved closer and closer... but then, everything turned dark. She couldn’t see anything anymore. Her eyes shot open.

"Please tell me you saw it this time," Luca asked.

"Luca, I saw it!" Catherine exclaimed. "I really saw it! It was beautiful!"

Luca sighed with relief. "Finally."

"But," Catherine began, her voice trembling, "when I got closer to it, everything went dark... and then I opened my eyes."

"Everything went dark when you tried to reach your wolf?" Luca asked, his expression serious.

"Yeah," Catherine confirmed, worry creeping into her voice.

Luca's face darkened. "Oh no."

"What is it, Luca?" Catherine asked, panic rising in her chest.

"This... this is bad. Do you know what that means?" Luca said, his voice tense.

Catherine's heart raced. "What? What does it mean?" she whispered.