(RHEA'S POV - IN ATLAS' BODY)As I surrendered to the transformation, my heart skipped a beat. It was as if I was slipping away from consciousness, but Atlas was there, his voice a steady anchor in the whirlwind of change.“Atlas, I can’t,” I managed to gasp.“Breathe, slowly,” he urged. “Let your consciousness flow like a calm stream as you blend with your wolf.”Following his guidance, the shift became smoother with each passing moment. I took a deep breath, gradually letting go of my fears. I embraced the bond, feeling Starlight’s strength and presence merge with my own. The transformation began, and this time, it felt natural, powerful, and complete.Finally, I stood before him, fully transformed into my wolf form. The darker parts of my surroundings got easier to see. The moon’s silver rays that hung above the clearing gleamed even majestically. I felt taller and stronger, much stronger than ever before. I noticed my fur--a stunning white reflecting the serene light of the moon.
(RHEA'S POV - IN ATLAS' BODY)And then I knocked down three targets with a swift, precise swipe of my paw, the satisfying crash echoing through the clearing.“That’s awesome! Two more!” Atlas shouted.I followed it up by taking down four branches in rapid succession, each strike imbued with growing confidence and determination.“One more left again! It’s a good progress, keep it up!”With a powerful leap, I sent all five branches crashing down in a cascade of wood and leaves, my movements flowing with a controlled grace that surprised even me.“Whoa! Nice!” Atlas clapped his hands. “Try taking down all five again!” He then ran to arrange the target practice once more.Thus, with a focused intensity that seemed to electrify the air, I knocked down five branches again. That last strike was more powerful than the last. It was a good proof especially for me that my current control over my wolf form wasn’t just a fluke.Because of that, I think I had a more solid control over my new trans
(RHEA'S POV - IN ATLAS' BODY)"Aim, timing, and intent.” Atlas raised three fingers.“When utilizing bite attacks as a werewolf with a strong jaw, remember this: your strength lies not just in the force of your bite, but in the precision of your aim. Target vital areas—neck, limbs, wherever you can inflict the most damage. And timing is everything; strike swiftly and decisively, overwhelming your opponent before they can react. Your bite is your weapon, wield it with focus and intent."My wolf instincts sharpened, and Atlas's instructions echoed clearly in my mind. I raced through the twilight, my sleek, muscled form gliding effortlessly toward a towering oak.Snap!My jaws closed around a low-hanging branch, snapping it cleanly. But before I could savor the success, movement flickered at the edge of my vision. Atlas’s sharp gesture sent a flurry of small rocks whizzing toward me.Instinct took over. I twisted and dodged with precise, fluid movements, each step in perfect sync with the
(ATLAS’ POV - IN RHEA'S BODY)‘Whoa... there are actually this many people from all over the continent?’I never really thought about how crowded this place actually gets during a banquet. The clinking of glasses, the soft murmur of conversations, the smell of rich food, and the vibrant colors of the decorations created an overwhelming atmosphere.My gaze wandered over the sea of guests, feeling a bit out of place. Here I was, standing at my station, serving glasses of wine.The head maid had initially stationed me at the salad bowl, but after I mixed up the pepper, salt, or……was it paprika?Yeah, one of those spices. I didn't really understand it myself, but whatever I did, it was apparently so terrible that the head maid personally came up to me, her face a mask of exasperation, and dragged me away to the maid station in the back hallway.After she finished her scolding, leaving me bowing apologetically, the elderly head maid let out a heavy sigh. Her shoulders sagged as if she ca
(ATLAS’ POV - IN RHEA'S BODY)“Alpha Caden!” Hera exclaimed, her voice a sharp edge that cut through the buzz of the banquet. Her furious expression instantly shifted to one of shock as she looked down.I opened my eyes, curiosity piqued, and saw Caden Wildsight, Alpha of the Duskwynd Pack, standing tall and imposing in front of me. His grip on Hera's ankle was unyielding, his eyes a storm of controlled fury. The sheer presence of him was magnetic, radiating the raw power that only an Alpha possessed.His voice, a low growl that seemed to reverberate through the room, sent shivers down my spine. “This banquet is supposed to be a celebration for unity, not some petty cruelty, correct?”“Petty?” Hera struggled against Caden’s grip, her face contorted in rage. "This omega dared to—"Before she could finish, Caden cut her off. He released her ankle and stepped forward, making Hera retreat. “This maid acted in defense of her dignity. Something you would do well to remember, Lady Hera.”The
(ATLAS' POV - IN RHEA'S BODY)The ballroom fell into a heavy silence at Mortis’s command. No one dared to utter a whisper about the public 'trial' of Hera, his daughter.Mortis turned to Hera, his displeasure cutting through his otherwise stoic demeanor. “Apologize to him, Hera,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.A few gasps rippled through the onlookers, but my mind was racing with protest. I clasped my hands, barely restraining myself from bursting out:'Apologize to him?' I raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of it. 'He means Caden, right? But what about me?'My gaze shifted to Caden’s back. The Alpha of the Duskwynd pack stood silent in the center of the crowd, his elegant green attire enhancing his commanding presence. His posture was calm, but there was a quiet power in the way he held himself.‘Calm down, Atlas. Don’t make things worse for yourself right now,’ I reminded myself, forcing a deep breath.I couldn’t decipher what Caden was thinking, but his ga
(CADEN'S POV)“I’m sorry, what?” she asked, clearly caught off guard. I watched Lady Rhea blink in surprise, her confusion evident in her raised voice.Then she quickly glanced around as if to make sure no one was eavesdropping, before meeting my unwavering gaze once more.“Your Luna?” she repeated, her voice now steady as she absorbed the weight of my request.I nodded, my expression earnest. “Yes, Lady Rhea. Duskwynd needs a Luna who embodies strength, grace, and leadership. I see those qualities in you. Will you consider it?”I watched Lady Rhea’s reactions closely, noting her visible discomfort. I knew all too well how my directness could come off as blunt. My late wife had frequently pointed out my lack of finesse, reminding me that without a touch of subtlety, important negotiations could turn awry.In that moment, I also caught the subtle twitch at the corner of Lady Rhea’s mouth, a clear sign that she was thrown off balance. For some reason, I could almost hear her thoughts scr
(RHEA’S POV - IN ATLAS'S BODY)"Ugh… I can’t wait for this banquet to end," I muttered to myself, each step feeling as heavy as lead, my enthusiasm about as high as a deflated balloon. "And staying alive, of course."With a final deep breath, I braced myself for the grand entrance into the banquet hall. But as I stepped out from behind the towering mahogany pillar, I collided with someone.“Ah!” A familiar voice yelped.The figure in front of me staggered backward, and instinctively, I shot out a hand to steady them before we both ended up on the floor.“Are you alright…?” I asked, trying to get my bearings. As my eyes adjusted, I realized who it was. “Atlas?”“You! Rhea!” Atlas gasped, breathless and wide-eyed. He glanced over his shoulder, clearly rattled. “Dud! You've got to listen! Hera approached me at the banquet, and Caden—he told her to apologize! Then he took me outside, and—”“Whoa, slow down!” I interrupted, gripping his shoulder gently. “Take a breath, Atlas. I can’t unders