Third person's POV
Andrew's body trembled as he surrendered to the transformation. His muscles stretched, his senses heightened, and his mind blurred. He felt the familiar ache in his bones, the sensation of his body reshaping itself. His clothes ripped and tore, no longer able to contain the wolf that emerged.
As he fell to his hands and knees, Andrew's vision doubled, and his hearing intensified. The forest came alive with sounds he'd never noticed before – the rustle of leaves, the hoot of an owl, the distant howl of a wolf. His heart raced, and his breath quickened, as the wolf took hold.
But Andrew's mind resisted, clinging to his humanity. He thought of Jade, of her smile, her laughter, and her concern. He wanted to be with her, but his secret stood in the way.
Memories flooded his mind – his first transformation, his father's teachings, the thrill of the hunt. Andrew's wolf instincts took over, and he ran, the forest floor blurring beneath his paws.
As he disappeared into the darkness, Andrew's human thoughts grew distant, but one phrase echoed through his mind:
"She can't see me like this."
The wolf's paws pounded the earth, releasing pent-up energy and frustration. Andrew's mind grew quieter, his human thoughts fading into the background. He was free, unencumbered by the constraints of society and his own secrets.
As he ran, the forest grew denser, the trees twisting and turning around him. The moon overhead cast eerie shadows, making it seem like the trees themselves were moving, watching him.
Suddenly, a flash of memory pierced the wolf's haze – his mother's warm smile, her gentle touch, and her soothing voice. She was reading to him, her words weaving a spell of comfort and safety. Andrew's heart ached, his wolf form faltering for a moment.
"So son, the moral lesson from this book is, never wrestle with a pig, you will both get dirty but the pig will enjoy it." His mother had said to him after the reading.
"But mother ..." Six years old Andrew had wanted to ask question about the story but his mother had hushed him.
She had a bewildered look on her face as her nose scrunched up in disgust.
"They are here. Go and hide right now!" She had yelled at him as she got up to get ready for the battle.
"Stay with my son. Ensure he is kept safe." She commanded the guard who had run into the house to inform her of the invasion.
"I can fight. Remember you and dad have been training me on how to fight against rogues? Let me fight, mother." Little Andrew had cried to his mother but the guard had carried him and ran off to the safety room underground for the kids.
And that was the last time he had seen his beloved mother.
His mother's memory vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Andrew's wolf form confused and disoriented. He slowed, his paws sinking into the underbrush, and his ears perked up, listening.
A distant sound caught his attention – footsteps, light and cautious, as if someone was trying not to be seen. Andrew's instincts flared, his hackles rising. Who was there? And why were they following him?
"Someone is coming. Who?" He wondered as he concentrated his sense of smelling to sniff out the intruder.
Andrew's eyes scanned the darkness, his senses on high alert. The footsteps drew closer, hesitant and slow.
He growled, a low rumble in his chest, warning the intruder to stay back.
But the footsteps didn't stop. They kept coming, cautiously, as if the person was trying not to startle him. Andrew's curiosity piqued, he took a step forward, his ears perked up.
A figure emerged from the shadows, faint moonlight illuminating their features. It was his father, Raymond, his eyes stern and disapproving. He froze, seeing Andrew in his wolf form, his gaze locked on his son's.
"What have I told you about losing control?" Raymond's voice was low and even, but laced with disappointment.
"There's a crowd just a few hundred feet away, and you're out here, vulnerable and exposed. What if someone had followed you?" He yelled at him, chidingly.
Andrew's wolf form faltered, his human thoughts resurfacing. He felt a surge of shame and guilt, knowing he had made a mistake.
"I ... I couldn't help it," Andrew stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Raymond sighed, his expression unyielding.
"You need to learn to control your transformations, Andrew. You can't let your emotions dictate your actions. Not now, not ever. And I am sure you know why!" He said to him, his tone a bit persuading.
Raymond's words cut deep, and Andrew felt a pang of regret. He knew his father was right – he had to learn to control his transformations, for his own safety and the safety of those around him.
"Come," Raymond said to him, his voice firm but gentle.
"Let's get you back to the house. We'll work on your control, together." Raymond added.
Andrew nodded, and he knew he had to change into his human form. As he set his mind on that, Andrew could feel his human thoughts resurfacing, his body beginning to shift back. And finally, He stood up on two legs, his muscles aching from the transformation.
Afterwards, he followed his father through the forest. They walked in silence, the only sound was the rustling of leaves beneath their feet.
As they approached the house, Raymond handed him a pair of pants and a shirt, which he had kept in a corner.
Andrew quickly put them on.
"Let's get you back to the party. You need to wrap things up early, tell your guests you're not feeling well." Raymond told him, gently but firmly.
Andrew nodded, still feeling a bit shaken from his loss of control. He followed his father back to the party venue, where the music and laughter continued, oblivious to the drama that had just unfolded.
As they approached the party, Andrew took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead. He spotted Jade and Thomas, laughing and chatting with the other guests, and his heart sank. He didn't want to ruin the party, but he knew he had to.
"Hey, everyone," Andrew said, his voice loud enough to cut through the music.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not feeling too great. I think we're going to wrap things up a bit early." He informed the surprised guests.
The guests turned to him, concerned, and Sophia made her way over.
Jade, who was thinking of going to ask him of his well-being abolished her mission as she saw Sophia walking up to him.
"What's wrong, Andrew?" Sophia asked, her brow furrowed.
Andrew forced a weak smile, before replying her.
"Just a headache. I think I need to call it a night." He informed her and walked away before she could say another word.
Jade looked at him walk away, with concern etched on her face.
Meanwhile, Selena was at a corner, grinning a cruel sneer but it was for a split second, it disappeared as it came and was replaced by a deep frown.
"Of course, party is over!" She gritted out and clenched her fists.