Wendy wimpered in anxiety as the sun continued upward. She guessed that it was at least ten in the morning and she remained on all fours. She struggled to retain her composure. I just need to wait a bit more...just a bit more...just a bit more.
Any minute now.Nothing.
A ball of cold fear welled up in Wendy's stomach. What was wrong with her?
"Wait," said Debra. She sniffled again. "I smell Wendy!" The four werewolves resisted the change into human form, the better to find their new packmate. "Oh the poor girl is scared to death!" Her companions nodded sympathetically.
They located Wendy fifteen minues later. She was shivering slightly as she sat by a small pond, staring at her reflection in the water. Wendy was terrified.
"Wendy!"
The black wolf started, then recovered as she realized who was behind her.
"H-help m-me," she pleaded.
Debra nodded to her companions. The four wolves shed their lupine form, including Sharon, which was amazing since she had only transformed for the first time two months ago. Muzzles retracted, fangs shortened to cuspids and eyeteeth and bones and muscles crackled. Fur shortened and thinned, curling into wiry body hair, disappearing altogether in some places. As the transformations completed, Sharon, Debra, Anaya, and Ebony embraced Wendy, comforting her.
"Easy honey, said Sharon, you're okay."
"Don't worry, Wendy," said Lisa. It's all right, your body needs time to adjust. You won't be changing back today."
W-what do you mean? I thought..."
"You thought that you would be a wolf during the night and a human during the day? You're right, you will be - but not for some time. Wendy, your body has been traumatized, it needs time to recover, and over the next several months you...you and I really, and Heather and Dita, will be wolves the whole time the moon is in phase."
"Oh God!
"Lisa never mentioned that to you, did she? I'm really sorry Wendy, you kinda joined the pack under false pretenses."
Wendy nodded. Poor Marco, how the hell would she explain this to him? She conveyed her concerns about her brother to Debra.
"He doesn't know what you are now, of course? You have to keep it that way."
"Debra, I can't for the life of me think of any reasonable explanation that could possibly explain this, especially since I won't be human again for another two days."
Debbie sighed. "It's all right, we'll take care of Marco. But Wendy, you need to understand something." Debbie stroked her friend's thick black mane tenderly. "Wendy, werewolves are NOT human beings that become wolves during the full moon. We are not human beings, anymore, you and I are a different species. It takes an effort to assume human form, just as it requires an effort to become a wolf."
Debra stood, relaxing. "Wendy, darling, this is our true form."
It happened within a minute. Debbie's canine teeth extended into short fangs. Soft brown fur blossomed with a musical rustling sound as it grew into a luxuriant pelt covering her body. Her fingernails lengthened into short but powerful claws. Debra's nose became moist and black.
When it was over, Debra was a perfect integration of human and wolf. She was still, though just barely, recognizable as Debra Peters, even with the dense fur covering her face.
"Wendy, this is what we REALLY look like." Her voice had a deeper tone, but it was still her voice: soft, girlish, Canadian. Wendy's head spun. "Well, um, you say that's our natural form - but we'd still look human when we change back in the morning."
Debra agreed. "Think of it as a pendulum starting at one extreme, and swinging to another. You began as a human being. You've become a wolf under the full moon. As the years go by, Wendy, your body and mind will continue to change. Your control will increase, but your lupine side will become more powerful. Eventually...well...there have been several mornings in recent years when I've woken as you see me now."
"Just fuzz and claws for me," Anaya volunteered.
Debra nodded. "You wait, Annie. There will be more to come." She squeezed Wendy gently. "Welcome to the pack, our sister."