The Banished Lycans ​Chapter 3: The Long Fangs part 1 0f 2

Chapter Three: The Long Fangs

As I slowly awoke, a throbbing pain pulsed through my head, and my newly sharpened eyes stung in the harsh light filtering into the cave. My body felt sore, bruised, wrapped in tattered rags—the only remnants of the night that had torn my world apart. As I struggled to piece together my fragmented memories, a horrifying realization broke through the fog: I had committed an unspeakable act—I had devoured my own father. The blood staining my hands sent waves of panic crashing through me as I frantically tried to wipe it away, smearing it across my face. This wasn’t a nightmare. This was real, and I had to live with it.

Yet, amidst the horror, I couldn’t ignore the strange, lingering satisfaction that flickered in my chest. The all-consuming anger that had driven me—controlled me—was gone. The fury that had made me tear him apart was replaced by an eerie calm, as though the beast within had finally gotten what it craved.

Shaking off the remnants of sleep, I summoned the strength to rise, leaving behind the grisly remains of my father, of who I once was. I stepped deeper into the adjoining cave, drawn by the soft echo of another presence. There, standing against the shadows, was Long Fang. Recognition stirred within me as our eyes met, and without hesitation, he addressed me.

“You were quite the handful, New Blood,” he said, his voice low and gravelly, though not without a hint of amusement.

Confused and disoriented, I could only manage, “What do you mean?”

His dark eyes bore into mine, as if reading the depths of my soul. “You must have harbored a deep hatred toward them,” he said, his voice carrying a weight I wasn’t ready for. “What did they do to evoke such a fierce response from the wolf within you?”

I shook my head, my mind racing to catch up. “I don’t… I don’t get it,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. I was trying to grasp what he was saying, but the reality of what I’d done felt too overwhelming.

Long Fang crossed the space between us, his presence both commanding and calm. “The change you went through last night, it doesn’t happen that way unless there’s something deep inside—a fire so strong it fuels the wolf,” he explained. “You let that fire loose.”

I swallowed hard, memories flashing behind my eyes—my father’s cruelty, the unbearable weight of his control. I had let it all out, every ounce of rage, every moment of helplessness. It had transformed me, shaped me into something else entirely.

Still reeling from the truth, I asked, “Is that why… why I did what I did?”

Long Fang nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. “The wolf doesn’t hold back. It’s raw, primal. It gave you the strength to do what you couldn’t before, but now… you must learn to control it. Otherwise, it’ll consume you.”

I looked down at my bloodstained hands, the reality sinking in. I wasn’t just a girl anymore. I was something else—something stronger, more dangerous. The wolf had freed me from the chains of my old life, but it had also taken something away. My father’s blood had sealed that deal.

“I never thought it would come to this,” I whispered, my voice shaking with a mix of sorrow and relief.

“You didn’t choose it,” Long Fang said, stepping closer, “but now, you live with it. And you’re not alone. You’re one of us now, part of the pack.”

The weight of his words pressed down on me. “What does that even mean? Being part of a pack?”

Long Fang’s gaze shifted from me to the cave walls around us, as though searching for an answer. “It means we look out for each other, protect each other. But it also means we must follow the rules—the old ways. The wolf is free, but it is not without purpose.”

I stared at him, trying to comprehend the gravity of my new existence. The idea of a pack sounded comforting, but also daunting. I wasn’t sure I was ready for it, wasn’t sure I could trust this new world I had been thrown into.

But I didn’t have much of a choice.

Fang didn’t so much ask as he ordered me to follow him, and with little choice, I complied. The cave stretched before us, a labyrinth of tunnels formed by a volcano long since dormant. As we walked deeper, the air grew cooler, the damp stone walls reflecting the faint flicker of torches mounted along the path. I could hear the steady drip of water echoing in the distance, a reminder of how ancient and untouched these caverns were.

The walls were smooth in some places, where molten lava had once flowed like rivers, carving out massive tunnels that now twisted and turned through the mountain. In other areas, jagged rocks jutted out, sharp reminders of the raw power that had shaped this place. The deeper we ventured, the narrower the paths became, winding and dipping into darkness before opening into large chambers, some with ceilings so high they disappeared into shadow. But even in the dark, I could see everything clearly—the subtle curves of the walls, the distant flicker of firelight, and Fang’s hulking figure ahead of me.

My new senses were still a shock—everything felt more vivid, alive. Even in this low light, it was as if the cave had no secrets from me. Every detail stood out—the grain of the stone, the shift in the air, the scent of earth and something ancient clinging to the walls. I wasn’t human anymore. I could feel that in every fiber of my being.

As we walked, my thoughts churned, grappling with everything that had happened. "Where are we going?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Fang’s deep voice rumbled in response, “These caves will be your new home. You'll understand why soon enough. They provide shelter, protection... and privacy.”

I glanced at him, trying to gauge his intentions. “How many of you are there?” I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

“Enough,” he replied cryptically, his tone giving nothing away. “Enough to teach you what you need to know.”

The weight of his words settled over me, and I realized how little choice I had in this new life. I fell silent, my mind still reeling from everything that had happened, unsure if I could ever trust him—or anyone.

We continued walking, the cave stretching endlessly before us. The air grew thinner and cooler the deeper we went, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness. As we turned a corner, the faint glow of firelight flickered ahead, illuminating a vast chamber large enough to house an entire community. It felt like stepping into another world, carved from stone and hidden from the eyes of the outside world.

Figures moved in the shadows, watching us. Their glowing eyes gleamed in the dim light, and I could feel their presence—wolves, like me. Their energy buzzed in the air, a mix of curiosity and something else… acceptance. It was strange, but I didn’t feel out of place.

Without a word, Fang communicated with me, his thoughts pressing into my mind like a steady pulse. Only intense emotions can trigger a change like yours, his voice echoed in my head. The wolf within you feeds on rage and pain. You must learn to control it.

I glanced at him, uneasy with this telepathic exchange. “So, you’re saying it was my anger that caused it?” I asked, needing to hear the words aloud.

He nodded, his expression hard. “Yes. But I also played a part. In that moment, I mistook you for a threat. I reacted without thinking. By the time I realized your father’s true intent, it was too late. My bite... changed you.”

His admission sent a chill through me. His bite had saved me—but it had also condemned me to this life. I didn’t know whether to thank him or curse him.

As we reached the fire at the chamber’s center, others gathered around, watching me. Their presence was intimidating, yet they didn’t feel hostile. Their eyes, glowing in the firelight, held a strange understanding, as though they’d all been through this before.

One by one, they greeted me, calling me “sister,” and I felt the weight of what that meant. I had never had a family, not really. But here, in this cave, surrounded by these wolves, I felt something stir inside me—a sense of belonging I’d never known before.

Fang seated himself by the fire, his gaze steady but softer now. “I owe you an apology,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “It wasn’t my intent to drag you into this. But now that you’re one of us, you’ll need to learn control.”

I sat down across from him, the gravity of his words sinking in. "Control?" I echoed, feeling the weight of that word. After everything, control seemed like the furthest thing from my grasp.

He nodded. “The wolf inside you will always fight for dominance. But you can master it—just as I have. And you will, in time.”

The reality of being a werewolf, of living as both human and beast, finally started to sink in. Fear still gnawed at me, but alongside it, there was something else—a new sense of belonging. These weren’t just strangers. They were my pack now.

My family

Part 2 meet the Fire cracker

“Long Fang told me to teach her so i did” Izabel Alsidny Now known as Izzy Fang

I nudged Sarah, the "New Blood," with my foot, urging her to get up and join me for the hunt. Of course, she didn't move at first. I should've figured. Rich girl, never had to lift a finger, probably never had to get up before dawn a day in her life.

"Get up," I barked, my voice sharper than usual. "If you want to eat today, you better earn it."

She finally stirred, slowly, like I’d interrupted some delicate dream. She blinked at me with those glowing purple eyes, and for a second, I thought I saw some anger flash there, but not enough to worry about. She wasn’t in her wolf state—yet. She groaned and dragged herself out of bed, her movements slow, like this was some great burden.

I crossed my arms, watching her with a frown. Her scars had healed well, leaving only faint pink lines on her skin, a mark of what she now was. She eyed her clothes like they were beneath her, wrinkling her nose as if the very idea of hunting offended her delicate sensibilities. Eventually, she gave a half-smile to herself and got dressed.

"Don’t worry, princess," I muttered under my breath, just loud enough for her to hear. "Out here, no one cares who your daddy is."

She shot me a look, but I didn’t back down. I wasn’t here to be nice. She needed to toughen up if she was going to survive, and I wasn’t going to coddle her like the world always had.

Sarah bucked a little at my jab, her eyes flashing red with a brief, feral intensity. “Yeah, I ate him,” she snarled, glaring at me like she wanted me to feel that same rage. There was a wildness there, something untamed just beneath the surface.

I couldn't help but smirk. "Cool," I replied, unphased. "I ate my father too." The words rolled off my tongue with casual ease, like we were comparing battle scars. Her glare deepened, but I could tell it was more from frustration than real anger. We all had our demons; she just wasn’t used to someone who’d already stared theirs in the face.

I looked at Sarah, watching her face soften as the red in her eyes faded, replaced by that deep purple glow. "Listen," I started, my tone a little more serious, "in the Long Fang pack, everyone’s got a story. Fang has a way of finding strays, like you and me. But just 'cause you were turned by the Alpha himself. That doesn’t mean you're special."

She looked at me, a little puzzled but listening.

"There's no privilege here," I continued, keeping my voice firm but not unkind. "You still have to pull your own weight. Everyone does. You want to stick around? You earn your place."

Sarah glanced away, nodding slightly, clearly thinking over what I'd said. There was a long way to go before she’d really understand what it meant to be part of this pack. But this was a start.

As we made our way through the winding tunnels of the cave, the flickering light from the torches cast long shadows on the smooth stone walls. The air was damp, and the faint sound of water dripping echoed around us, adding to the eerie, ancient atmosphere. This wasn’t just some ordinary cave—it had a feeling of history, of secrets long buried in its depths.

Every now and then, we passed small groups of the pack, sitting by makeshift fires or talking quietly amongst themselves. Their eyes followed us, curious but respectful, acknowledging me with brief nods. Sarah, on the other hand, caught more than a few lingering glances. She was new, and in this world, new blood was always something to be watched.

We stopped briefly near a group of three—two men and a woman. One of the men, a tall, burly type with wild hair, gave me a half-smile. "Teaching the New Blood already?" he asked, his voice low and rough.

I smirked. "Someone's gotta whip her into shape," I replied, playfully elbowing Sarah, who was too busy staring at the cave walls to notice.

The woman in the group, her pale skin almost glowing in the dim light, leaned forward. "Don’t go easy on her, Izzy. We were all thrown in the deep end."

"Don't worry, I'm not planning to," I said, glancing at Sarah, who had finally started paying attention. She looked around, noticing the subtle dynamics of the group.

Sarah tried to blend in, offering an awkward smile, but I could see the unease in her eyes. This wasn’t her world yet, and she knew it.

After a few more quick exchanges, we moved on. The tunnel began to widen, and the air shifted—fresher, with a hint of forest carried on the wind. We were nearing the mouth of the cave.

I paused for a second, giving Sarah a glance. "You ready to see what’s out there?" I asked, half-teasing but knowing full well that the world outside this cave was going to hit her harder than she expected.

She nodded, her excitement tempered now by the weight of what was coming. We stepped out into the light, leaving the safety of the cave behind. The forest stood before us, thick with trees that blocked out most of the sunlight. Birds chirped in the distance, the world alive with sounds that Sarah had only just started to truly hear.

As we ventured out of the cave and into the wild, I couldn't help but feel like this was the beginning of something. Sarah was no longer the privileged girl she had been. Now, she was a part of this world—the real world. And there was no going back.

We continued walking, the silence between us stretching longer as we left the confines of the cave and entered the dense forest. The trees stood tall around us, their branches weaving a canopy overhead, letting only slivers of sunlight filter through. After a while, the path opened into a small clearing, the ground covered in soft moss and the occasional flower blooming in the underbrush.

I took a seat on a fallen log, gesturing for Sarah to do the same. She hesitated for a moment before settling down beside me, still taking in her surroundings with wide eyes.

"You always look like you're seeing everything for the first time," I teased, glancing at her with a smirk.

Sarah let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "In a way, I am. It’s like everything’s heightened... more alive. I can hear the wind rustling through the leaves, smell the damp earth... It's overwhelming."

I nodded, remembering my own first experiences after being turned. "It takes time to adjust. But it’s also what makes us stronger. The world’s different for us now. More dangerous, sure, but also... more vibrant."

She looked thoughtful, her purple eyes glowing faintly in the soft light of the clearing. "I never thought I'd be here, you know. Part of something like this."

I studied her for a moment. "Neither did I," I admitted. "We all have stories—none of us asked for this. But we're here, and we survive because we adapt. You will too."

For a moment, there was silence between us. It wasn’t an uncomfortable one—more like a shared understanding. Despite our differences, we were both part of the same pack now. Our pasts, as varied as they were, had led us to this point.

After a few more moments, I shifted, my tone softening. "Alright, New Blood," I said, breaking the quiet. "Time to start learning."

Sarah gave me a curious look as I stood up and walked a few paces into the center of the clearing. "Close your eyes," I instructed. She looked uncertain but followed my direction, her eyes fluttering shut.

"Now, I want you to tune in to everything around you," I continued. "The sounds, the smells, the vibrations in the earth. It’s like meditating, but different—focus on your senses. Block out everything else."

She inhaled deeply, her brow furrowing in concentration. I circled around her slowly, watching as she began to shift her focus, her breathing steadying.

"Good," I murmured. "Now, narrow it down. Find one thing. Could be a sound, a scent, anything. Latch onto it, and let the rest fade away."

I saw the subtle twitch in her fingers, the faint flare of her nostrils as she zeroed in on something. Her shoulders tensed for a moment before relaxing, and I could sense the connection she was making—tapping into that primal part of herself that was still so new.

"Got it?" I asked softly, not wanting to break her concentration.

"Yeah," she whispered, her voice distant. "I can hear... water. Like a stream... nearby."

I smiled to myself. She was getting the hang of it. "That’s right. Keep focusing on that. The more you practice, the stronger your senses will get. You’ll be able to track, to hunt, to know when danger’s near... all of it."

Sarah opened her eyes slowly, blinking as she adjusted back to the present moment. "It’s... intense," she admitted, rubbing her temples slightly. "Like my head's buzzing with all the information."

"It’ll get easier with time," I assured her. "Soon, you won’t even have to think about it—it’ll just be natural."

Sarah looked at me with a small, determined smile. "Thanks, Izzy. For... y’know, helping me."

I shrugged, trying to brush it off, but I couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. "Long Fang told me to teach you. So, I am," I replied with a wink.

Sarah’s eyes lit up with determination, a spark of excitement dancing in those faintly glowing purple eyes. But we both knew excitement wouldn’t fill our stomachs.

"Alright, we know about the stream," I continued, glancing in the direction she had picked up on earlier. "That’ll give us water, maybe some fish if we're lucky, but we need more than that. We need real food—meat."

She nodded, following my lead as we started moving again, deeper into the forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp leaves, rich earth, and the faint musk of animals nearby. Sarah’s senses were sharp, but she was still learning. Her movements were quiet, but not quiet enough to stalk anything with a heartbeat.

As we moved through the trees, I kept my senses open, scanning for signs of prey. The rustle of leaves underfoot, the snap of a twig far off to our left. I held up my hand to stop her, signaling for her to listen.

"Focus," I whispered. "There’s something ahead."

Sarah’s eyes narrowed, her head tilting as she tried to pick up on what I was sensing. After a few moments, she caught on—the faint heartbeat of something moving in the underbrush.

"Deer," she murmured.

I nodded, feeling the primal instinct stir within me. "Good. Now stay low, and follow my lead."

We crept forward, using the trees as cover. The deer was unaware of us, its head down as it grazed on a patch of grass. Sarah was right beside me, her breathing steady, but I could feel the anticipation in her muscles, the way her hands clenched slightly as the wolf in her stirred.

"Wait for my signal," I whispered, not taking my eyes off the deer. "We take it down together."

She nodded, her focus sharpening. We moved as one, creeping closer until we were within striking distance. The air was thick with tension, the quiet before the pounce.

"Now," I hissed.

As Sarah lunged forward, claws sprouting from her fingers in a partial transformation, I couldn’t help but feel a flash of pride. She was getting the hang of it, faster than I’d expected. I grinned, impressed at how quickly she’d managed to manifest her claws. Not bad for someone so new to this life.

“Good start,” I said, moving beside her as we prepared for the hunt. “But this isn’t enough. Focus your senses. Smell the air, listen to the world around you, and find your target. Lead the way.”

She nodded, her expression one of determination as she took a deep breath, focusing like I’d instructed. I could see her sharpening her awareness, her eyes narrowing as she locked in on a scent. Without warning, she took off running, her feet pounding against the forest floor. For a moment, everything was going perfectly.

Then, I saw it—the shift. Silver hairs sprouted rapidly from her skin, her limbs lengthening with every stride. The change was happening too fast.

“Damn it, Sarah! Slow down!” I called out, realizing she was losing control.

Sarah suddenly dropped to all fours, her paws tearing into the earth, leaving deep ruts as she darted forward with a burst of speed that surprised even me. Without hesitation, I shifted into my own wolf form, my muscles rippling beneath my fur as I took off after her, paws pounding against the ground to keep up.

She was fast—faster than I expected for someone new to this life—and it took everything I had to close the distance between us. The wind whipped past as trees blurred by, but my focus remained solely on Sarah. Her transformation had happened too quickly, and I knew she wasn’t ready for the full shift yet.

I pushed harder, my powerful limbs eating up the distance between us. When I finally managed to draw closer, I projected my thoughts directly into her mind. "Sarah, slow down! You're not ready for this yet!" I scolded, hoping to break through the wild instincts that had taken over.

Her ears twitched at the mental reprimand, and for a moment, I thought she might stop. But the rush of the hunt was too strong; she was too deep into the transformation, running on pure instinct.

Sarah suddenly dropped to all fours, her paws tearing into the earth, leaving deep ruts as she darted forward with a burst of speed that surprised even me. Without hesitation, I shifted into my own wolf form, my muscles rippling beneath my fur as I took off after her, paws pounding against the ground to keep up.

She was fast—faster than I expected for someone new to this life—and it took everything I had to close the distance between us. The wind whipped past as trees blurred by, but my focus remained solely on Sarah. Her transformation had happened too quickly, and I knew she wasn’t ready for the full shift yet.

I pushed harder, my powerful limbs eating up the distance between us. When I finally managed to draw closer, I projected my thoughts directly into her mind. "Sarah, slow down! You're not ready for this yet!" I scolded, hoping to break through the wild instincts that had taken over.

Her ears twitched at the mental reprimand, and for a moment, I thought she might stop. But the rush of the hunt was too strong; she was too deep into the transformation, running on pure instinct.

Sure enough, the hunt had taken full control. Sarah's instincts drove her forward with frightening precision, and before I could react, she tackled a moose—a freaking moose—at full speed. The massive creature didn’t even have a chance to fight back. With the force of her impact, she folded the animal beneath her, sending it crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud.

I watched, caught somewhere between awe and alarm, as Sarah tore into the moose, her claws and teeth sinking into its thick hide. Blood spattered across her fur as she savagely ripped chunks from the animal, her eyes glowing a feral purple. It was clear she was fully in her wolf form now, lost to the primal urges that came with it.

This wasn't the careful, controlled hunt we’d been aiming for—this was raw, wild instinct.

"Sarah!" I shouted in her mind, trying to cut through the fog of the hunt. "Get control! You’re not supposed to lose yourself like this!"

She didn’t hear me. Or maybe she didn’t care. The hunt had consumed her, and I realized then that this was her first real taste of what it meant to be one of us.

I walked into her line of sight and sarah looked to me and her Impromptu meal….. taking a moment to catch my breath and assess the situation.

Sarah, still recovering from the sudden transformation, appeared startled and disoriented. She had managed to regain control and stand on two legs, blood driping from her Muzzle and claws. but it was evident that her transformation had been accidental. I cautiously approached her, uncertain of her current state of mind. Would she still be herself, or would the animal instincts take over?

I stepped into Sarah’s line of sight cautiously, her massive form still hunched over the crumpled moose, blood dripping from her muzzle and claws. Her white-gray fur bristled in the cold air, a stark contrast to the crimson staining her snout. Her glowing purple eyes locked onto me, wild and unfocused, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if the Sarah I had known was in there anymore.

But I had to believe she was.

I projected calm through the mental link that we shared as lycans, a limited form of telepathy that was more emotion than words. "Sarah, breathe. You're still in control. It's just the wolf right now. Breathe."

Her purple eyes flickered slightly as if recognizing my presence, but the raw instinct still clouded her thoughts. She stood on all fours, towering over the moose, her body rigid with the tension of the hunt. Blood still dripped from her claws, but she made no move toward me, which I took as a good sign.

I reached out again through the link, sending a wave of empathy—my emotions, calm and steady, pushing through the chaotic whirlwind that she was feeling. "You didn’t mean to transform fully," I projected, keeping my distance, "but you have to find control, even when you’re like this."

Sarah’s head tilted slightly, and I felt the surge of confusion and fear from her, hitting me like a wave. Her instincts were screaming at her to run, to fight, to do something. The wolf inside her was too strong to suppress, but I could sense she was still in there, wrestling for control.

"Focus on me," I pushed harder through the link, the intensity of her emotions weighing on me. She blinked, and I felt a flicker of recognition. She wasn’t fully herself, but she wasn’t lost, either. Her posture softened slightly, and I saw the slightest twitch of her ears as she responded to my words.

I stepped closer, cautiously, my own wolf senses on alert in case she lashed out. "Good start, but this isn’t enough, Sarah. You’ve got to pull back some control. You need to focus your senses, not let them overwhelm you. You lead the way, but don’t let the wolf take over."

Her gaze flickered again, and this time I saw a hint of frustration mixed with the feral hunger still burning in her eyes. She wanted to listen, but the wolf was too strong.

And then, without warning, she bolted.

She dropped lower to the ground, her paws digging deep ruts into the earth, and in an instant, she was gone—nothing but a silver blur as she darted off through the forest. I cursed under my breath and shifted into my own wolf form, my muscles expanding, fur bristling as I dropped onto all fours and took off after her.

Sarah was fast, faster than I had anticipated, but I had trained for this. I pushed harder, my paws slamming into the dirt as I weaved through the trees. The thrill of the chase surged through my veins, but I had to remind myself that this wasn’t a game. She had no control over her form, and if she found prey again, there was no telling what she might do.

I closed the gap between us, my mind reaching out to hers. "Sarah, stop! Focus!" I projected, the urgency clear in my thoughts.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she slowed down, her massive form panting heavily as she came to a halt. I skidded to a stop beside her, breathing hard. She turned her head to me, her eyes still glowing with that wild purple hue, but now there was something else—regret, confusion.

I felt it all through the link. She hadn’t meant for this to happen.

I felt the link between us, a surge of emotion as Sarah's panic edged closer to the surface, though not fully there yet. A small laugh escaped me when she tried to speak in her wolf form—a garbled, comical attempt at forming words. Lycans in full wolf form can't really talk, and when we try, it sounds more like a mangled growl than anything coherent. We can sometimes manage a syllable or two, but even that’s pushing it.

"Rrr-un..." she growled, her voice a deep, guttural sound that barely resembled human speech. It would’ve been funny if the situation weren’t so serious.

I let the amusement seep through our link, hoping to ease her growing anxiety. "It’s okay, Sarah. Save the talking for later," I projected, reassuring her with a soft wave of calm. "Right now, focus on pulling yourself back—finding that balance between wolf and human. You’re not trapped. You can shift back when you're ready."

Her glowing eyes flicked toward me, a mix of frustration and understanding swirling behind them. She shook her head, clearly trying to fight the instinct to let the wolf take over completely.

Sarah forced herself to form words, growling through the struggle, “How... talk... in... head.” The sounds that passed for speech were so garbled and strained, I couldn’t contain my laughter. The attempt was too funny, the absurdity of it all too much to resist. My shoulders shook as the murth spilled out.

Of course, Sarah wasn’t amused. She punched me, though it wasn’t hard—more like a playful jab. Even in her wolf form, she had control. Her frustration was clear, but then she tried again, her voice a mess of snarls and broken syllables. “Fuck... us,” she managed to growl.

That did it. Both of us started laughing, both had to admit, her garbled attempt at saying "focus" was too ridiculous to ignore. The laughter broke the tension, and for a moment, we were just two wolves sharing a lighthearted moment in the middle of the wild.

If any higher-thinking being, unfamiliar with werewolves, heard the sounds we were making, they might have recognized it as laughter—only it was guttural and terrifying. The kind of noise that would send chills down your spine if you didn't know any better.

I spoke through the mental link, "Okay, we need to... 'fuck us,' Sarah." A few more chuckles escaped, but I shook it off, "Alright, let's get you talking mentally. Here's the basic—once you learn how, it'll be as natural as breathing."

I continued, "We only have this ability in our wolf forms. If another wolf is in their human form, they can still hear you, but they can't talk back into your head. Think of what you want to say, and then imagine pushing those thoughts into my head. Will it into being."

Sarah nodded—or at least, I felt her acknowledgement through the link—and we both focused, the strange bond between us tightening as she gave her first try.

I braced myself, memories flashing back to when my mentor, Fintan, first taught me how to use the mental link. I remembered how I had screamed into his mind by accident, and how he had visibly recoiled from the sheer intensity. I had learned my lesson then, but I wasn’t about to warn Sarah—I needed her to go through it just like I did.

Sure enough, my head throbbed with a sharp, sudden pain as Sarah unintentionally screamed into my mind. It was like someone was pounding a drum in my skull, and I had to bite back a groan as her voice, too loud and raw, overwhelmed the link.

Sarah's mental voice came crashing through again, "LIKE THIS, CAN YOU HEAR ME!" It echoed in my mind like a roar, forcing me to wince.

”Easy, Sarah!” I projected back, gritting my teeth. ”You don’t need to shout through the connection! Just...think it, gently. I’m right here; I can hear you perfectly.”

It took everything in me not to laugh again at her unintentional intensity, but the headache was enough to keep me focused on teaching her.

Think the words you want to say," I explained through the mental link, "and then ease them forward, like a gentle push. Imagine it like a butterfly landing softly in my mind. If you need to be sharp or loud, imagine it being forced into their head—like what you're doing right now."

I could sense her concentration sharpening, the weight of her mental presence shifting. This was all new for her, and I could feel the determination simmering just beneath her wolf-like exterior.

Sarah’s mental voice came through again, softer this time. “Will this get easier over time? This is strange...”

I couldn’t hide the surge of pride that slipped through the mental link. “Yes, it will get easier. You’re doing amazing, Sarah," I projected, letting my excitement show. "Now, let’s focus on teaching you how to change back into your human form."

Sarah hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty and excitement. I could sense her doubt through our link, but I kept my voice steady, projecting calm and reassurance.

“It’s not as hard as you think,” I said again, coaxing her. “It’s all about control. You have to feel your body and will the transformation to reverse, bit by bit. Just like how you pushed your thoughts into my mind, now you’re commanding your body to shift. Start small—focus on your hands, your arms. Imagine them returning to human form. Picture it clearly in your mind and will it into being.”

She glanced at her hands, still clawed and covered in fur, and I watched as her focus sharpened. The fur rippled slightly, as if her body was testing the waters of change. She took a deep breath, her purple-glowing eyes narrowing in concentration.

“That’s it, Sarah... Now, guide the change. Visualize each part, make it happen,” I encouraged, my voice a steady anchor for her as she faced the challenge of reclaiming her human form.

This was it—the final step. Would she succeed? Or would the beast within her resist?

I watched closely, ready to guide her through this next, critical step. I reached out and took her hands, feeling the coarse fur gradually soften beneath my touch. Over the mental link, I whispered, "Breathe, Sarah. Just breathe."

Together, we took deep breaths, moving in sync as the transformation began to shift. Slowly but surely, her wolf form started to recede. The claws on her hands shrank, the fur retreating back into her skin, revealing her human features underneath. The process wasn’t instantaneous, but it was steady—she was in control.

Her glowing purple eyes dimmed, returning to the familiar hue I was beginning to recognize, and finally, she stood before me, human once more.

She opened her eyes and smiled warmly, her breathing still labored from the effort. The look on her face, however, was one of pride and amazement.

I kept hold of her hand, offering stability and reassurance. "Remember," I said softly, "you have the ability to shift between forms, but it's essential to maintain control and embrace the balance of both your human and wolf selves. It's a journey, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way."