Haven't Seen The Light In A While

Melody

Still trembling, I stood in the grass, my paws sinking slightly into the cold earth as I stared down at them, larger than I remembered, stronger. The fur covering my body was still the same pure white, but everything else felt... different. My bones were heavier, my vision sharper, and my senses buzzing with overwhelming clarity. Even Odin's steady breathing beside me was somehow too loud, like the world had been dialed past its limits.

I cocked my head to the side in confusion, trying to will myself back into my human form. Usually, it was as simple as a focused breath and a mental command, but nothing happened this time.

Panic fluttered in my chest.

I tried again, digging deep into the instinctual thread that had always guided my shift. I imagined the change and tried to grasp hold of it, but it slipped through my mind like water through my fingers. My limbs stayed wolf, my muzzle still pushed out in front of me, and my voice still locked behind teeth that couldn't form words.

Odin moved closer, concern etched into every line of his face. "Mel?" he whispered, crouching low, his voice soft so he wouldn't startle me. "Are you stuck?"

I let out a low whine in response, ears flicking back.

The side doors to the left of the pack house burst open as the rest spilled outside, chattering and murmuring at the sight of me. Their awe and confusion washed over me like a wave, making focusing harder.

Then I saw Vince, Sam, and Rory push through the crowd. Sam's face was concerned, Rory's was wide-eyed with disbelief, and Vince—Vince looked like he was about to tear the world apart to reach me.

"Mel," Sam said, stepping forward slowly, like I was some wounded animal that might bolt. "It's okay, we're here. But... we need to figure out what this is."

I whimpered again and tried once more to shift back, but the magic inside me had changed. It was deeper and more complex, as if it no longer answered the same call. And as I stood there, surrounded by my mates and pack, I realized with a sinking heart—

I might not be able to turn back.

My claws scratched against the semi-frozen ground as I paced in place, heart racing in my chest. I tried again to shift—nothing. Again. Still nothing. A frustrated growl ripped out of me before I could stop it. I could feel them—Sam, Vince, Rory, Odin—close by, surrounding me, murmuring soft reassurances, but it wasn't enough.

I was stuck. I couldn't shift. I couldn't even breathe right.

"I can't get out," I finally cried through the mind link, my voice hitting them all at once like a tidal wave. "Why can't I shift back?! What's happening to me?!"

Vince was the first to respond, his voice sharp and grounding. "Mel—breathe. You're okay. We hear you. You're just... stuck for now. That's all. It's okay."

"No, it's not okay!" My thoughts came out in rapid fire. "Everyone's staring at me—I can't move right—what if I stay like this forever?!"

I could feel Odin's panic spike alongside mine, but he smothered it quickly. "You won't. You won't stay like this. You just shifted too fast. The drugs—they messed with your body, maybe triggered something. It's probably temporary. Just hold on, baby. Please, hold on."

"I can't—" My mind choked. "What if I lose myself? What if I get stuck like this and forget how to be me?"

Rory's voice was soft but unshakable. "You're not going to forget who you are. You're Mel. Our mate. Our Luna. You're still you, even like this. We've got you. We're right here."