{{Charlotte's POV}}

Stay here, Seth said as we stopped a few yards away from the edge of the line of trees. I could see a house through the branches a few yards off. I vaguely recognized it as Emily's. The other werewolves shifted before me. I immediately turned my gaze to the ground. They could have at least given a warning.

I waited impatiently in the forest. I had now come to terms with the fact that I did turn into a werewolf. I realized a huge difference though. I was somewhat smaller and shorter than the others. At first, I thought it was a "female" idea. However, I was more than sure Leah wasn't as small and short as I was. She had to have been the same height as the others; although she could have been a little smaller than the guys, but that was to be naturally expected as we didn't have all the extra muscle weight. I was more the size of a "slightly larger wild wolf" compared to their "slightly bigger than a full grown bear" look.

I heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Seth and Emily, with a bundle of clothing, coming towards my hiding place.

"Charlotte?" Emily asked. I blinked and took a step back. "I know you're confused and have many question, but that can wait for a little while. Right now, we need you to shift back."

I looked at Seth for confirmation. He nodded.

"Just think of something peaceful."

I nodded. I was about to close my eyes and concentrate when I remembered I would be naked when I shifted back. I gazed pointedly at them.

"She wants us to turn around," Emily voiced my thoughts.

Seth's eyes widened before he abruptly turned his back to me. "Sorry."

"Give us the 'okay' when you're done." Emily laid the bundle of clothing on the ground before me and did the same.

What was I supposed to concentrate on? What was calming and peaceful enough to help me to shift back to my human form?

I closed my eyes and decided to concentrate on the memories of Jessi and Carla before I moved. The laughing and inside jokes we shared. The random moments that no one seemed to know what we were up too. The unspoken language we had and understooding among each other. I missed those days, but I liked being here too. I had found out so much about my past, and what and who I was.

I felt a release of tension in my muscles and the uncomfortable shifting of my body. I sank to my knees as I gathered my bearings. I quickly grabbed the clothes and slipped them over my body. The dark green dress was a little too big, but it was better than nothing. I stood on shaky legs and leaned against one of the trees. I suppose this weakness was an after affect of the shifting. I hoped I became used to it soon. I didn't like to feel weak and helpless.

"You guys can turn around now."

"How are you feeling?" Emily asked as she took a few steps towards me.

"A little weak . . . and nauseous."

She nodded. "It should go away in a few hours. You could be in a little bit of a shock. Why don't you come inside and rest for a bit. The others have a meeting with the elders so it should be fairly quiet for a while."

I followed slowly after her. I stumbled the first few steps to have Seth steady me. My eyes were drooping and I was starting to lose my senses.

"I've got you."

I managed to mumble a 'thanks' before I fell into the darkness.

I woke to the sound of a door closing. The room I was in was dark only lighted by the strip of light to be coming from the bottom of the door. There were voices floating from beyond the door, although I couldn't make them out.

The door abruptly opened. I groaned and shielded my eyes from the bright light.

"Oh, sorry." The door was closed. The edge of what I had been laying on sank from the new weight. Warm arms wrapped around my waist. I breathed in the comforting scent that I had grown to love. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah, a little. I think . . . I think I need to go hunting." My throat was starting to tingle from the mere thought of feeding. "I most definitely need to hunt."

I felt Seth shift to life me up into his arms and carry me across the room.

"I can walk," I told him. I had to squint from the sudden light again.

"I know. I just haven't got to hold you in a while. Well, except for the times when you were unconscious."

I simply relaxed into his arms.

"We're going out. Charlotte needs to hunt," he said towards the other end of the hall. I was sure whoever he was talking to heard him because he kept walking.

He didn't set me down until we were a several yards into the forest.

"I'll be right behind you," he whispered before he kissed my cheek and disappeared only to reappear a few seconds later in his wolf from.

It felt nice to run. I did have some near collisions with a few trees and a few stumbles and falls, but other than that I managed to have a successful hunt. I had taken down two bucks before I was satisfied with a few drops of blood on myself. I was getting better at this hunting. Seth had stood to the side watching as I feed. I was a little self-conscious at first, but it went away as I started to enjoy the hunt.

"I'm done," I said as I skipped over to Seth.

He let out a small noise that sounded like laughter. "What's so funny?" I asked as I stopped before him. He shook his head and stood to his feet shaking out his fur.

I looked at him sheepishly. "I want to shift. I didn't have time to experience it the first time." He stared at me with wide eyes before he nodded.

I tried to concentrate on shifting into a wolf, but it wasn't working.

"How do I do it?" I asked after a few minutes. The last time I had been scared and thinking about running away from Drake.

Anger, a voice said. That's how you shift.

Anger? What angered me the most? Drake, most definitely. The last time I had been really anger was when I found out that everyone knew my mother was alive but me. I was starting to get mad just thinking about it. I hated being lied to.

There was a small popping sound and a yelp that escaped my mouth.

You shifted . . . a voice said with a hint of amazement. This voice wasn't the same as the one before.

I opened my eyes to see Seth leaning over me.

Oh. I stood. I guess I did.

I took a few steps away and found my legs to be steady. This is weird. Everything's different.

It takes a while to get used to.

I looked back at Seth. What color am I? White? I could only see my paws.

I saw him nod. The only exception is you left hind leg.

I turned to examine it. The lower part was pure black. It looked like I had one black sock on.

That's different.

Ready to go back?

I'll race you! I took off before he had a chance to respond. I laughed as I heard him swear and chase after me.

It was fairly easy to find the way back. My nose was heightened allowing me to smell our trails. I could hear Seth catching up quickly.

You're still new to this. You can't outrun me just yet.

I saw him pass me out of the corner of my eye. No fair! You're supposed to let me win!

Don't be a sore loser. I might let you win next time . . . maybe.

I grumbled to myself as followed. There wasn't any use to keep racing. It was clear that he had won.

We were about two miles away from Emily's house when I felt a disturbance. Seth? Do you sense something?

He slowed to run beside me. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I skidded to a stop and looked over my shoulder to the left. I was sure something was coming. By the speed at which it was approaching, it couldn't have been human.

Charlotte? Seth doubled back and stood on my right. I assure you there's nothing there.

But–

I was abruptly pushed back.

Why did you–

The sight of movement caught my attention.

I growled as the person stepped into sight, the same spot we had been standing a few seconds ago.