Wilding
Grass crackled around my paws as I wove through the shadows of the trees bordering an open meadow. The sun's light, fading now, shone faintly off the pelts of a dozen animals as they growled and chattered, barked and whistled to each other a few yards out in the open. I twitched my ears at their foolishness. They were all so loud, calling raucously to one another. It was hard to hear myself think around people who behaved in such a manner.
Warned by a scent, I stopped in my tracks as a horse thundered past just ahead, stomping and snorting on its way toward the creatures milling in the center of the meadow. I growled at the equine's retreating back and continued steadily on my way, following a scent trail well established by hours of my pacing.
I came here often. Wilding was truly the easiest way to relax, once you got past the initial shock of being in a different creature's body. I was relatively used to everything but the changing itself. Ten thousand repetitions wouldn't be enough to adjust a person to feeling fur sprout from their skin, hands and feet shape into paws, teeth sharpen to points or dull and flatten completely. A shudder ran through my lean frame as I remembered the eerie feeling. Still, all of the discomfort was worth it by far to have the heightened sense of smell and sight, the wild freedom that came with it.
Impatient, I lengthened my stride and began to lope forward, my trail now winding through open spaces in the trees. Yes, Wilding was a wonderful thing, especially at this time of day. The forest was practically deserted, save for myself and the few who lingered together in the meadow. I valued solitude.
At last, I reached a smaller opening in the woods. It was right at the center of the park and as far away from the edges of the city as I could come. I broke from the trees, bounding across the clearing to the large, sloping rock at its center. Reaching it, I slowed and clambered up the side of the rock to stand atop it. I raised my head and tail proudly as the wind rushed through my silver-gray fur. The sun had set, and a crescent moon was slowly rising through the darkened sky. Forest stretched in all directions, as far as I could see. Every time I stood here, the sight grew more impressive.
Awed, I lifted my head to the sky and howled, loud and long. This was where I truly belonged, in the wild of the forest. Humans have never really been my kind, I thought with satisfaction, I have always been a wolf at heart. I looked again to the night sky, spattered with bright stars. Yes. This is where I belong.