Chapter Four: The First Transformation

~Kaida Orion POv~

I wake before dawn, heart still pounding. A pale silver light filters through the window. The house is quiet, but inside me, everything stirs, eyes, ears, skin, are all ready.

I sit up cautiously, pushing aside my robe. The lingering warmth from last night's embrace still clings to me. I place my hand over my heart and feel the bond and It hums.

Lupus steps quietly into the room, clad in dark robes, his gaze serious yet loving.

"Kaida," he whispers, setting a wooden box on the bedside table. Inside lies a wolf-fur cloak, soft and thick.

"Wear this," he instructs, "it will help you stay grounded tonight."

My fingers brush the fur. It feels alive. "The cloak…?"

He nods. "It binds you to your human senses when the wolf awakens."

My pulse quickens. "Do you mean, tonight… I will transform?"

He answers only with a solemn nod. "It's time."

Then I prepared my mind. He kneels beside me, his gaze softens. "Fear is natural. You will transform. But I will be with you in every step."

I clutch his hand. "I'm afraid… of losing control."

He brushes my tears gently. "You won't. I'll help you anchor, just breathe with me."

We sit together, breathing slow, in unison, inhale, exhale. My heart pounds in my ears. He smiles.

"You are brave," he whispers. "My bride, my strength."

I swallow. "Teach me how to stay in line."

He nods. "Feel the bond. Use your human self as anchor. Speak Kaida's name if you drift."

I repeat his words: "Speak Kaida's name."

He kisses my forehead. "Remember that."

Moon rise outside the house, the moon slips behind clouds. I feel a soft shift inside me, like wind stirring water.

Lupus leads me to the balcony. I breathe cold night air.

The cloak weighs on my shoulders as he wraps it around me.

"This will tether you," he says.

I nod. The moonlight filters through clouds as I shiver.

He draws me close. "We begin."

A low growl escapes me, surprising and deep.

He steadies me. "It's beginning."

My fingers dig into his robes. I gasp as my bones shift, legs stretch, spine arcs, heartbeat thunders. My vision sharpens, moon's glow glimmers on distant leaves. My senses explode.

I stagger and tighten the cloak. It clamps around me like a cage.

Lupus supports me. "Breathe... Stay."

I close my eyes. Repeat silently: "Kaida. Kaida."

My hands curl like claws. Fur bristles beneath my palms. I sink to one knee.

"Focus," he says. "Speak my name if you drift."

"Lupus," I whisper. The cloak tightens. The growling inside dims.

I felt the anchoring to humanity, my voice, though guttural, carries his name. Slowly, the transformation halts. My form shifts back, fur recedes, bones ease, my shape softens again.

I collapse to the floor. He catches me. I gasp, drenched in sweat, heart still beating.

He holds me tightly. "You did it."

I shiver, exhausted and terrified. "I… I did…"

He kisses my forehead. "Yes. You did."

My hands still shake as I cling to him. "What if I lose control next time?"

He strokes my hair. "Remember my name, just call it, and I'll be here."

I nod, tears falling. "I love you."

He smiles softly in the moonlight. "I love you too."

Aftermath, he helps me inside and wraps blankets around me as I shiver, trembling.

He offers hot tea. I sip it slowly, heart still racing.

He sits beside me. "How are you feeling?"

I swallow. "So… much better."

He brushes hair from my face. "You were brave."

" When I close my eyes, I felt… lost. But your voice… it found me."

He nods. "That's anchor, the thought of home, of love, saved you."

I look at him. "So, what happens next?"

He kisses my hand. "We train more. The pack will join soon, you will transform again but stronger."

I swallow. "I'm scared...but ready."

He stands, and moves to the window. His gaze hardens. Outside, moonlight breaks through clouds, uncanny.

He turns, eyes glowing. "They're watching."

My heart skip. "Watching us?"

He nods. "Someone must have followed the pack's ritual. Not from within."

Fear and anger wash over me. "An intruder?"

He lifts me upward, away from the window. "Yes, and they know something. By dawn, we must find who."

Then the morning sun presses through the curtains, soft and warm, but my mind is cold. I rise from the bed, my body still trembling from last night's transformation and the whispered warning that someone was watching us.

Lupus sleeps beside me, his chest rising slowly, his arms draped protectively across me. His fur-lined cloak, now folded neatly nearby, reminds me of his wolf self. I slip out and dress quietly, need to learn this secret threat, or at least show strength.

We enter the Pack Hall, an expansive chamber with tall columns carved with paw-print motifs and moon-stone mosaics. Councilors stand in a semicircle, their eyes serious. I notice tensions in their shoulders, murmurs behind their breath.

Councilor Rachael bows first. "Alpha. My Lady."

Lupus inclines his head. He gestures to me. "Kaida."

All councilors turn to me. Councilor Morgan, tall and stern, steps forward. "Alpha Lupus reports an intruder watched the ritual last night."

I glance at Lupus. He bristles. Councilor Morgan's gaze shifts to me, observing.

"Was Lady Kaida safe?" he asks.

Lupus answers before I do: "Yes. But the act cannot go unnoticed. Protocol requires investigation."

A hush. Councilor Biat sits back, fingers folded. "Investigation could offend human neighbors."

Councilor Morgan snaps: "We do not bow to humans. Our secrecy is paramount."

I swallow. Pack politics already at work, werewolf clans in noble guise. How often fortunes shift.

Lupus places a hand on my arm. "I will lead the inquiry, while Kaida will assist."

I look at him, my heart beating. "I...I will assist."

They nod. Councilor Rachael murmurs, "Good."

As we walk to a side alcove. Lupus glances at me. "Listen...this matter is delicate. The intruder may be from human nobility....or rival pack."

My stomach tightens. "Should I speak with the councilors then?"

He nods slowly. "Yes, introduce yourself as my wife and as an ally. Keep cordial, but watch for… signals."

I laugh nervously. "Signals like a raised eyebrow?"

He squeezes my hand. "Precisely."

I straighten my shoulders, as we re-enter.

Councilor Morgan eyes me with faint curiosity. "Lady Kaida, welcome. You still have much to learn."

"Your guidance is appreciated," I say evenly.

He leans in, voice low. "Loyalty binds more than love. Today we shall test both."

I smile politely. "Then I hope to prove myself."

Councilor Biat interjects: "Alpha Lupus, I suggest checking the lanterns and forest edge. Lamp light can mark watchers."

Lupus nods. "You will command that."

Councilor Rachael shifts her robes. "We will send our scouts. But Lady Kaida, will you lead discreet discussion with nearby human officials…?" She studies me. "To gauge their knowledge."

My pulse hammers. Already entrenched in dangerous layers. I nod. "I will."

Councilor Morgan taps the stone table. "Then let the word spreads. If humans learn of pack rituals… there's trouble."

Lupus inclines. "Agreed. Investigation closes secrets."

Rachael nods. "Then we await report."

We leave the hall and walk across moon-stone tiles soaked with dew. I exhale slowly, mind racing.

Lupus's gaze searches me. "How do you feel?"

I bite my lip. "Anxious. But… I really want to help."

He smiles gently. "I trust you. We can do it together."

I rest my head on his shoulder, it felt like a moment of peace before storm.

We decided to meet the human magistrate as, Loita has arranged a discreet meeting with Magistrate Kia, our liaison with the human city. We convene in an arbor outside the estate, flowering vines arch overhead, bees hum lazily in morning light.

Magistrate Kia arrives, robes pristine, face courteous. He inclines. "Lady Kaida." He bows to Lupus too. "Master Lupus."

I straighten. "Thank you for meeting me."

He gestures to seats. We sit on stone benches. Garden smells fill the air.

He studies me carefully. I offer cool courtesy.

After small talk, I steer: "Magistrate Kia, have there been rumors of… disturbances near the forest edge overnight?"

He clears his throat. "Some travelers mention seeing strange lights. A greenish glow."

I knew they were lying, but I remain neutral. "Green light?"

"Yes. Dim, but…" He narrows eyes. "Perhaps a lantern, perhaps… something else."

Lupus places a hand on my arm. I feel strength.

"You know, travelers talk are unreliable," I say softly.

He frowns. "Perhaps."

I nod. "I will let hunters search the area. So that we can be save."

He bows. "Lady Kaida, you show sharp mind. It's good."

My cheeks warm. "Thank you."

He departs, and I exhale as we return to Council. We reconvene in the Hall. I brief the councilors in low tones.

"They report green lights. The report is from the travelers.... but it unclear."

Councilor Morgan narrows eyes. "Green.... our moon damnation glow? That's Unusual."