Maxim took a cautious step forward, his eyes scanning the shadows. The living room was empty, and so was the kitchen.
That was when Maxim felt a presence behind his back. He felt goosebumps on his skin as he slowly turned around, ready to hit whoever it was.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Everyone Maxim knew was there, and they greeted him with smiles on their faces. Danny and Tonya were holding a cake in hand with candles on top.
"Ah!" Maxim screamed in shock upon seeing his friends and family. His hands were raised in the air with the wooden stick, ready to hit them.
Danny immediately took action and grabbed hold of the stick before Maxim could accidentally hurt someone.
"You got a good reflex, son," Danny stated, as he wasn't even mad about Maxim's self-defense. However, Tonya disapproved of it.
"Don't get too violent on your birthday," Tonya stated, shaking her head. She brushed it off and pushed the cake toward Maxim. "Now, wish and blow the candle."
Maxim looked at everyone in confusion. "But it wasn't my birthday today," he asked, brows furrowed.
"Yes, your birthday is tomorrow, but we need to celebrate in advance so you can focus on shifting into your wolf form by then," Tonya explained carefully.
Maxim nodded, wholly forgotten about shifting to his animalistic side. "Okay…. Then let's celebrate!" he exclaimed, turning the mood in the room.
Everyone yelled happily as they started celebrating and ate the food that Tonya had cooked.
Maxim took the time to mingle with his old friends that he hadn't seen for years. It made him relax and forget about the man in the golden mask.
The sun slowly sets in as the moon rises above the dark sky.
The party ended shortly after 11 o'clock, and everyone went home.
On the other hand, Danny and Tonya became anxious as they looked at the time.
"What's the matter?" Maxim asked upon noticing their behavior.
"We only have an hour to prepare," Tonya stated, quickly gathering clothes, towels and bottled water.
Maxim blinked a couple times as he watched his mother panicked.
"You will be shifting in an hour. So, I hope you are ready," Danny explained, patting Maxim on his shoulder.
Maxim's heart began to race. He had known this day was coming— his first shift into wolf form, but now that it was actually happening, fear gripped him. He tried to keep his breathing steady, but his mind was swirling with questions and concerns.
What would it feel like? Would it hurt? What if something went wrong?
"Don't worry, Maxim," Tonya said, noticing the apprehension in Maxim's eyes. She paused her frantic packing and moved closer to him, putting a comforting hand on his cheek. "You're going to be just fine. This is a natural part of who you are."
Maxim nodded, swallowing hard. "Thank you, mom."
Danny and Tonya exchanged a quick glance, a silent communication passing between them.
"We should go now," Danny said, his voice was calm but stern.
Maxim nodded as he took a deep breath. He followed his parents outside as they walked to an empty clearing a few meters from their house.
They stepped out into the cool night air. The sky was a deep indigo, the stars twinkling above like a million tiny lanterns.
The full moon hung low on the horizon, its silvery light casting long shadows across the ground as if the Moon Goddess was watching Maxim.
Maxim could feel a strange energy building within him, a kind of restlessness he had never experienced before.
"The first shift is always the hardest, but you'll understand more about your true self once you get through it. Your wolf is part of you, Maxim. Tonight, you'll finally meet him," Danny explained further. He wanted to ensure that Maxim understood what was going to happen.
Maxim nodded again, trying to absorb the words. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "Okay," he said, his voice stronger. "Let's do this."
Tonya handed Maxim a set of loose clothing. "Wear this. It will be easier to tear when you shift."
"Okay," Maxim received it and immediately changed clothes.
"You're going to feel a pull," Danny explained. "It's the moon calling to you, calling to your wolf. Don't fight it. Just let it happen."
Maxim nodded and followed his parent's instructions as he sat in the middle of the clearing, waiting for that pull to come.
On the other side, Danny and Tonya walked back several steps and gave Maxim space. They were worried about the outcome but hoped he would be okay.
Maxim closed his eyes, trying to focus, and waited until the clock would strike twelve.
[11:59 PM]
One minute before twelve, Maxim pivoted uncomfortably into the grass. He was excited and nervous at the same time.
"Maxim, be ready. Only a second left," Danny shouted, looking at his watch.
"Okay!" Maxim replied. He breathed deeply and counted the seconds to ensure he was on time.
[12:00 AM]
The clock struck twelve, and Maxim anticipated a shift, but he felt nothing.
Danny and Tonya looked at one another in confusion as they looked at the watch, thinking there had been a mistake, but there was none.
[12:05 AM]
Maxim looked back at his parents in confusion. "I feel nothing," he stated.
"There must be a mistake. He should shift by now," Tonya muttered to Danny, watching the watch move.
"There is no mistake, honey," Danny stated, looking at Maxim with pity in his eyes. "Maxim can't shift."
Tonya's eyes widened at her husband's word. She slapped his shoulder angrily. "We should wait a little longer," she whispered, hoping there was only a delay.
On the other hand, Maxim bit his lips. He heard everything his parents had discussed, even though he acted like he didn't. It hurt him that his wolf didn't come out, but a part of him was relieved.
Time went by, and it turned into an hour.
Danny and Tonya had lost hope of Maxim shifting into his wolf by then. They didn't understand why since it was their first encounter with a werewolf that didn't shift into his wolf form.
Tonya approached Maxim, who was still sitting on his spot with his head down. "My dear, let's go home," she stated, covering Maxim with a blanket to warm him up.
"Mom… let me stay a bit," Maxim murmured sadly. His voice was barely a whisper as he was disappointed in himself.
"But…" Tonya disagreed, but Danny stopped her, shaking his head.
"Let's go home, honey. I'm sure Maxim wants some time alone," Danny stated, pulling his wife away. He knew what Maxim felt at that moment, and he didn't want to bother him for a while.
By that time, the clear sky became cloudy and dark as raindrops slowly fell to the ground, hitting Maxim, but he didn't care.
Maxim felt devastated and baffled about why he didn't shift, but he had no answers. "This must be what the Moon Goddess wants…" he whispered, gritting his teeth.
Maxim cupped his face, feeling the rain dripping on his skin. Then, a smile formed on his lips.
"YES! Thank you, Moon Goddess! I don't need to find a mate anymore!" Maxim shouted loudly, raising both hands toward the sky and cheered.