THE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Tristan's eighteenth birthday arrived, and Laura planned a small surprise party at their house. His friends came over, bearing gifts and well-wishes.

"Happy birthday, Tristan!" they chorused, as he walked into the room.

Tristan's eyes widened in surprise, and a smile spread across his face. "Thanks, guys!"

His friend, Alex, handed him a gift. "Dude, I got you a new gaming controller. I know how much you love gaming."

Tristan unwrapped the gift, his eyes lighting up. "Thanks, man! This is awesome!"

Emily, a quiet girl from school, approached him shyly. "Happy birthday, Tristan. I got you a small gift."

Tristan smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thanks, Emily. What is it?"

Emily handed him a small box. "It's a watch. I thought you might like it."

Tristan opened the box, revealing a sleek silver watch. "Wow, Emily, it's beautiful. Thanks!"

Emily blushed, her eyes dropping to the floor. "I'm glad you like it."

As they ate cake and chatted, Tristan couldn't help but notice Emily's gaze on him. She seemed to be crushing on him, and he felt a flutter in his chest.

"Hey, Tristan, can I talk to you for a minute?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tristan nodded, following her to the corner of the room.

"Happy birthday again," Emily said, her eyes shining. "I hope your day is as special as you are."

Tristan smiled, feeling a connection to Emily. "Thanks, Emily. That means a lot coming from you." He had been previously drawn to her quiet ways.

As the party wound down, Tristan's friends began to say their goodbyes.

"Thanks for coming, guys," Tristan said, smiling. "This was an awesome birthday."

"No problem, dude," Alex replied. "We will catch up soon."

Emily lingered, her eyes locked on Tristan's. "Happy birthday again," she whispered, before turning to leave.

Tristan watched her go, feeling a strange sense of connection, wondering if he should ask her out.

"Ready for our trip, sweetie?" Laura asked, breaking the spell.

Tristan nodded, his mind still on Emily. "Yeah, Mom. Where are we going again?"

Laura smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Somewhere special. Just the two of us."

They packed up the car and drove for hours, the scenery changing from urban to rural to wilderness.

"Where are we, Mom?" Tristan asked, gazing out at the dense forest.

Laura smiled, her eyes knowing. "A special place I once came to when I was younger. It is beautiful, and peaceful."

As they arrived at the campsite, Tristan felt a sense of wonder. The trees towered above, the river flowed gently, and the stars shone brightly overhead.

"Wow, Mom. This is incredible. This is what I really need right now."

Laura smiled, hugging him tight. "I'm glad you like it, sweetie. Let us set up camp and enjoy the night."

As they set up camp, Laura pulled out a guitar and began to strum a soft melody. Tristan recognized the tune, a lullaby she used to sing to him when he was a child.

"Mom, you're playing 'Moonlight Serenade'," Tristan said, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.

Laura smiled, her fingers moving deftly over the strings. "I used to sing this to you all the time when you were little. Do you remember?"

Tristan's eyes drifted off, his mind searching for memories. "I don't know, I don't really remember my childhood much."

Laura's expression turned wistful. "That is okay, sweetie. You were very young when...when we left. But I'm glad I can share these memories with you now."

Tristan's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean, 'when we left'? Where did we go?"

Laura's eyes clouded, and she hesitated before responding. "We will talk about it later, okay? Let us just enjoy the night for now."

Tristan nodded, but his mind was already racing with questions. What had happened in his childhood? Why could he not remember?

As the music faded away, Tristan and Laura sat in comfortable silence, watching the stars twinkle overhead.

As the full moon rose higher in the sky, Tristan felt a strange sensation wash over him. His senses began to intensify, his hearing sharpening, his vision expanding. And then, he felt it; an inexplicable connection to the full moon, like a primal call deep within his soul.

"Mom, what is happening to me?" Tristan asked, his voice trembling.

Laura's eyes widened in terror, her face pale. "Tristan, oh God, what is happening to you?"

Tristan's body began to shift, his muscles aching, his bones reforming. His senses grew stronger, his heart beating in his chest.

Laura stumbled backward, her eyes fixed on Tristan in horror. "Tristan, stop! Please stop!" She cried.

Tristan looked down at his hands, watching in horror as they transformed into paws. His skin itched, his body hair growing thicker, his nails sharpening into claws.

"Mom, help me!" Tristan screamed, his voice no longer human.

Laura's eyes filled with tears, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tristan, I do not know what is happening to you! Oh God, what is happening to my son?"

Tristan's mind reeled, his thoughts fragmented. He felt himself losing control, his body surrendering to the transformation.

As the full moon shone down, Tristan's transformation accelerated. He fell to the ground, his body contorting, his mind consumed by a primal fury.

Laura's screams echoed through the forest, her voice hoarse from terror. "Tristan, no! Please, no!"

As Tristan's transformation accelerated, Laura's screams grew louder, her voice echoing through the forest. She stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet.

Tristan, now fully transformed, let out a primal howl, his eyes glowing yellow in the moonlight. He turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness.

Laura's eyes widened in terror, her mind reeling from what she had just witnessed. She stumbled forward, calling out for Tristan, but he was gone.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, her body shaking with fear. She could not breathe, could not think.

As the reality of what she had seen sunk in, Laura's world went dark. She fainted, her body succumbing to shock.

The forest was silent once more, the only sound the distant howling of a wolf.