THE CHANGE

With her heart beating from her chest, Sam all but ran down the streets. The chill of the night nipped at her skin, and her breath was ragged. The night replayed in her head like a bad movie. Her thoughts were scrambled but one thing was clear as day. He had called her his. The worst of it all was she wanted it, her very soul craved it. Suddenly a stabbing pain shot through her chest and she stumbled to the ground. She landed on her knees and clutched her chest. A silent scream passed her lips as the pain was strong enough to steel her voice.

A burning sensation covered her skin like a blanket of fire and her shirt clung to her wet skin. With weak legs and shaky breath, she lifted herself from the ground only to stumble forward and fall as another wave of pain shot through her chest.

A cool hand circled around her wrist and she looked up through tear-filled eyes.

"Esree?" That was all she could say before everything went black.

With a throbbing head and aching body, Sam drifted from the dark pit of sleep.

"Sammy?" Sam forced her eyes open and looked at the worried face of Esree.

"What...? What...?" Her throat felt like sandpaper mixed with a dash of molten steel topped off with a little bit of barbed wire.

"Shh honey don't speak everything will be fine. I should have told you what would happen, but I was scared." Esree looked ashamed as she held a glass of water to Sam's parched lips.

"I'm so sorry my dear." Sam looked up at Esree. Her eyes held a pang of sadness and worry to them she could not hide.

Her heart constricted with the sadness on Esree's face.

This woman was the one who helped her parents get her to a safe place. She was the one who raised her as her own and cared for her as a mother would.

"Esree what's wrong?" She asked just as another wave of fire surged through her veins. Esree cringed but said nothing as she placed a cool cloth over Sam's head. Suddenly the sound of bones breaking and shifting filled the entire room. With a panicked, pain-filled scream Sam's whole body convulsed.

"I am so sorry my dear. It will be over soon and then I will explain everything to you." Esree stood and placed a gentle kiss on Sam's hand before exiting the room. Sam tried to stand to follow her but as she stood a stabbing pain burned through her legs and she fell to the floor. Looking down at her hands she saw her nails changing. They grew into claws that seemed to almost glow gold. But she had no time to marvel at the strangeness of it. A stabbing pain ripped through her very soul seeming to almost tare it in two. She screamed out as her body convulsed in pain. Suddenly her eyes went wide and started glowing white. Her vision was obscured with that of something else.

Sam found herself standing in the middle of a wide field filled with bright red flowers. The sun seemed to be frozen in time. An air of peace surrounding her as the sun's glow wrapped around her.

"My dear Samantha. I am here. Come to me."

The voice floated around her in a soft caress, touching her and beckoning her towards a large oak, its branches hanging low to the ground. The sheer size of the tree astounded her and the power emitting from it seemed to outweigh any.

With tentative steps she approached the tree, her eyes fixed on the thick branches and the protruding roots. The closer she came to it the calmer she seemed to become and the easier it was to see the beauty hidden within the bark.

"Let your soul be complete." Again the voice spoke to her. Sam spun around to find a large wolf-like creature standing behind her. Yet instead of feeling fear, she felt familiarity instead. It felt like seeing a long lost friend. Sam reached out to touch the beautiful wolf and was shocked to find its eyes to be gold. It followed her hand but did not move. Just before she could touch it the wolf's eyes connected with her own, making her stop, they seemed to be speaking to her. As if to say she has to be sure of her decision. With a slight frown, Sam looked at the wolf. The fur was an almost golden brown but did not look like that of the usual wolves. She knew this was no ordinary wolf but it was more than a werewolf. The wolf itself emitted almost the same amount of power as the tree, yet it seemed as if a part of it was missing. That was when Sam realized what the wolf was. She was the wolf, the wolf was her, and they were one and the same. This was her Lycan. This was her second half. Without a hint of hesitation Sam placed her hand on the wolf's large head and felt a surge of power consume her followed by the same soul-taring pain, but this time her soul was not being ripped apart, instead, it was being sewn together. Their souls were binding in the most powerful way known to all. They were bonding in the presence of the great oak, the mother of fate. The wolf started to change as it stood to look at Sam. Its form became spiritual and entered Sam. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth opened as her back arched, but it was not painful. It was the pure power that ripped at her and she could feel how she and the wolf became one.

Her vision became blurry as she fell to her knees in front of the oak. Staring at nothing Sam fell to the ground and darkness consumed her. Sam woke up with a start, only to find herself in the same room she was in before. Or was it? It looked like the same room, but it was different. All the once wooden furniture was covered in a cloud of golden dust and the room itself seemed to be no more than a pile of rubble. The walls seemed cracked and some of the curtains were torn to shreds. The carpet was burned and the table was missing three legs. They went actually missing, she realized as she looked at a painting with two of the legs jammed into it. She found another buried deep into the mattress next to her. Frowning she looked at the door to find it standing strong, but not without damage. The handle was completely broken off and there were scratches so deep it looked like they almost reached the other side. She stood up slowly, testing her body, and found herself to be slightly stiff.

Morning.

Sam jumped around but there was no one else in the room.

My name is Lex.

Sam realized the voice was not from around her but from within. Realization dawned on her, the wolf. Lex was her Lycan. She listened closely wondering if she would speak again.

You do know our thoughts are one.

Sam caught herself nodding. Lex's voice was soft and gentle. It seemed to calm Sam and also seemed to be centuries old and wise.

"So you are my wolf?" She asked out loud.

Lex gave a wolfish chuckle. Yes, I am, I have been waiting for you for a very long time.

"How long is a long time?" Sam asked amazed as she sat back down on the bed.

I was born for you almost 700 years ago and have been waiting in the spirit realm till your birth. When you were born my spirit took the shape of what you were to become, but I have been harnessing the power of the spirit realm from the beginning. I have walked those fields longer than any spirit before me and that will ever be after me. You are a very important young one and have a great task ahead of you. We must train together and build your skill till you are ready for the war.

Sam stared at what was left of the carpet, 'but why?' she thought as she thought of what happened to her parents.

What happened to your parents was never supposed to happen. They were the ones meant to teach you. A dark spirit consumed the king many years ago and has been festering within him like a virus. Spewing lies and speaking of prophecies that were meant to stay hidden for much longer, he corrupted a once beautiful soul. It is up to us to save him as well. But first I will help you to harness the power within us and to control it.

"What do you mean?" Sam asked confused.

Look at your hands dear.

Sam almost screamed in panic as she saw the claws protruding from her fingers and the glowing swirls of patterns tracing over her skin.

Just breathe and calm yourself. This will happen, but over time you will master it. Now think of one thing that will calm you.

Immediately Sam's thoughts were shifted to the large oak surrounded by a field of red flowers. Lex chuckled and Sam could almost feel the laughter vibrating within her soul.

That's it little one, now look at your hands.

The claws were gone, but a faint pattern was still slightly glowing. "Will it ever go away?" Sam thought.

No, it won't. This is your mark. It covers your whole body and symbolizes your rank in society. It will shine brighter when you are angry or in danger, but it will be this dim any other time. When you shift these symbols will also be present on my fur and will glow the same. But we will shift later right now; you need to hide your sent.

You are still being hunted by the king and now that we are one your sent and power will draw all kinds of evil to you.

Sam stared open-mouthed at the wall. "You can hear my thoughts."

This time Lex laughed out loud. Her laughter was beautiful and so free Sam could not help but laugh with her.

Okay Sam, let me teach you everything there is to know about all there is to know.

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