Without warning, Beatrice began a new chant. The others swayed slightly with the trancelike rhythm of the words, and the fire in the center of their circle began to change.
The flames no longer flickered at random. Instead, they began a slow, steady swirl, parting to reveal the logs underneath, and then drawing back together, each time rising higher and higher. As Beatrice’s chanting reached a frantic peak the fire rose high enough to scorch the branches of the trees. Across the clearing, Claire saw her mother, shimmering as her form began to alter.
Claire hurried to undress, stumbling when she tried to yank off her sweatpants too fast. Please don’t let anyone have noticed that. She should have been practicing the clothes part, too. Her embarrassment washed away when she began to change.
The transformation took Claire’s breath away. She felt her too-tight skin melt away faster and more completely than it ever had. Fur erupted all over her body, and her hands and feet took on a cramped, misshapen look. Her arms and legs were caught somewhere between human and animal, and with a start, Claire realized that the sudden heaviness at her lower back was a thick tail.
No one paid any attention to the fact that she was incomplete—they were all staring at Victoria. The hazel wolf sat in front of the fire with her eyes closed.
No one breathed.
No one moved.
Oh! Victoria sucked in a sharp breath and bared her teeth. Sorrow swooped down on the group like a black-winged bird.
Oh, no—it’s not—I mean, I’m okay! There’s no pain! Oh, it’s a girl. Victoria let out a gasp. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth and she began to pant. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. She rocked back and forth again and again in relief.
Beatrice threw back her gray-muzzled head and yipped in delight. Claire’s mother and Zahlia immediately followed suit, with Judith and Katherine coming in a half second later. The five wolves surrounded Victoria, butting up against her and nudging her flank with their snouts. Silky fur covered every inch of their skin and their sharp teeth fit neatly into their jaws. None of their paws were tipped with pink-painted human fingernails. But Claire’s were.
She hung back, embarrassed by her own half-changed appearance and the sympathetic tears that trickled down her cheeks.
Oh, Goddess, I look hideous. She felt the thick rope of muscle in her tail twitch as it curved underneath her body in shame. Claire hung her head, keening a strange, canine whine. A whiff of frustration, tangy and sharp, made her lift her eyes back to the group.
Claire’s mother looked at her and dropped her ears the tiniest bit.
Do not be rude, chérie . Come and congratulate Victoria.
Oh, lay off her, Marie. Zahlia huffed and shook her head. Like any of us had to deal with this much on our second moon. Give her a minute.
You have no right to tell me what to expect of my daughter! Claire’s mother’s ears were laid flat back against her skull.
Cut it out, you two—this is no time to argue. Victoria looked over at Claire. Come celebrate! Good Goddess, you look wonderful. You should have seen me at my second moon—my fur was so patchy, it looked like I had mange! Your fur’s all the way in—that’s so lucky! I’m so lucky. She rolled over onto her back and wriggled against the dusty ground. She looked maniacally happy. Can you believe it? I’m having a baby !
Claire slunk over to Victoria on her awkward limbs as the others moved back to their places around the fire, still barking and keening in celebration. Her tail dragged on the ground, catching stray twigs as she walked. With her half-changed head, Claire butted Victoria’s shoulder as gently as she could.
Just think, Victoria nipped at Claire’s furred ear, in nine months, there will be eight of us!
Victoria’s words sent a shiver of unease through the group, distracting Claire. She turned to her mother, curious, but before she could form the question, her mother shook her sleek-furred head at Claire, ever so slightly.
Beatrice snapped her jaw shut and sat neatly in front of the fire. Victoria, go home and get some sleep. The rest of us will track the seule.
Why? I feel wonderful. I’ll go help with the tracking. Victoria stood, her tail wagging happily behind her.
Absolutely not. If this seule is dangerous enough to kill humans, then she will not hesitate to attack one of us if we try to stop her. We would be putting the life of your baby in unnecessary danger. I know you can track. But tonight you will not. I want you to ensure Claire gets home safely, and then I want you to go rest. The authority that rang in Beatrice’s command was unmistakable, and Victoria bowed her head, her tail curving underneath her body. Beatrice turned her milky eyes to Claire.