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How would you react if you suddenly woke up in a different body? A different species? A different world? Your mind is clear and present, your memories and experience intact, but nothing else makes sense. Danger is everywhere but hope is lurking around the corner too.

Part 4: The obvious question, another newbie, and a fresh scent

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My body is telling me that its natural rhythm has changed. The day now feels as if it could fall into
four parts rather than two. Whilst waking from a snooze in the middle part of the day, I stretch my
body out, look down and take stock. My coat needs work again. Instincts flood through me and I
start licking my paw and wiping my muzzle. The balance between the two halves of my mind isn't
quite settled yet. My human consciousness is holding on for dear life, trying to organise everything
it wants my body to do, but when I'm relaxed it's finding it progressively harder. Before I even think,
I act. It's still alarming, but the more it happens the more accepting I'm becoming. It feels oddly nice
in a way, like a meditation. My mind empties but the day carries on. What is there really to think
about? The forest is warm and I'm safe. I'm fed and rested. There was no rush. No deadlines. No
schedule. I could just, be. I sense Bella approach and simply lie down next to me. Her presence is
an immediate comfort. My new big sister turns her nose toward me and looks at me with fond but
questioning eyes.

"So how did it feel watching the hare?"

I pause my bodily ministrations and look down momentarily.

"The human inside me tried to say stop. It's so hard. I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday's hunt,
even when I was asleep. It's just with everything that happened I was desperate for something,
anything, to make sense. I needed something I could control. I forced myself to do it."

I look back at Bella and smile weakly. She simply stares for a while, to the point of making me a
little nervous. Finally, she whispers to me.

"You're incredible Denzel. I spoke to Stone and Shade earlier. They saw you return from your hunt
carrying the hare as though you'd been doing it your whole life. It's your second day. Your second
day! How do you do it? I already feel like I want to learn from you rather than having anything to
teach you. Ryker told me he'd explained to you about our little situation. How did it make you feel?"

It's clear Bella is trying to work out her own thoughts and feelings as much as asking me about
mine.

"It made me feel all kinds of fear at first, but Ryker is such an amazing friend. He settled me down
before I'd even decided what I wanted to know. I feel devastated of course. I mean we don't seem
to have any choice, but I also feel kinda happy. I mean being the human I was, was almost
excruciating. I was young, lonely and seemed to mess everything up. Being in this body with all of
you, it feels like a fresh start. I've already got more friends here, and...and there's just something
about being free out here. Catching that hare was something I could never do as a human, if you
see what I mean."

Bella looks away and I can sense her uncertainty. I'm suddenly worried I've said too much.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"It's ok."

Bella looks back and settles her head on her paws.

"I know Ryker warned you about speaking to me. Ryker cares for me deeply. I know that now. At
first it was hard to accept any kind of love as a wolf. Sometimes, I find my thoughts drifting
backwards. It's been very difficult. I was difficult. I believed that somehow I was being punished, but
Ryker showed me that it wasn't my fault. Ryker came here a lot earlier than I did. I never got to
meet the...early wolves. He says you're like them."

I can't help but to look embarrassed. A question bubbles up in my throat and I ask before I have a
chance to hold back. I needed to say it. I only hoped Bella would be ok.

"Bella, why are we here?"

Bella freezes but then very slowly relaxes. She lets out a low whine and I instinctively do the same.
My human brain screams at me, and I shuffle my body closer to her so that we're touching. Bella
presses herself again me.

"I don't know Denzel. Nobody knows. Maybe it's best we don't know? Maybe it was an accident?
Whatever it was, it doesn't seem to control us, and if this is a trap or a cruel game, we can't tell."

She breathes slow and steady for a moment. I regret asking but the need inside me had been all-
consuming. She looks at me with sympathy.

"It took me a long time to find peace. Ryker was amazing. Sometimes I think that if there was a
clear purpose to all this it would be better but the only way I can deal with being right here, right
now, is to enjoy as best I can every moment of that peace; every moment like this, with you, with
the sun on my back and food in my stomach."

I remember Ryker telling me about strengths, and how I should pass on positivity.

"Bella, you're my big sister now, and I already look up to you. You look absolutely amazing. Ryker is
so lucky. We're all lucky."

Now it's Bella's turn to look bashful. A thought occurs to me, and I decide to risk the question.

"Would you like to go on a hunt with me sometime? I think we'd be pretty cool together."

I feel Bella's eyes go distant just for a second, but then they sparkle.

"I'd love that Denzel. I really would. Get some rest."

And with that, Bella climbs to her paws and pads softly away. I simply stare at the space she'd
occupied, my thoughts racing. Could I accept this, or was the desire to explain our transformation
going to be too strong? The wolves before me had tried and found nothing. Endless forest,
unknown purpose and no return. Beautiful to be sure. A wolf freed from the shackles of human
complexity and the need to understand, could live a wonderfully content life here. Could I really
just, be, forever?

I find I can't go back to sleep, but I take solace in the safety and stillness of my surroundings. I look
up and realise that I hadn't really had a look around since Ryker and Stone brought me over to the
den. Once in my head I realise the thought isn't going to be satisfied until I at least do a lap of the
clearing. I push myself up and find a tree briefly before heading off towards the rock formation to
the north.

As I pad across the landscape, I find myself recognising and storing more individual scents. There
are wolves in ones and twos for the most part, mostly lazing through the warmest part of the day.
There are a few mated couples that I can identify, but my nose tells me that the primary emotion
around the pack is of newfound family love and pride for the pack's territory. I know I shouldn't, but I
let my human side idly wonder about the backgrounds of these humans-turned-wolves. I think of
everything lost and everything gained, and I realise how easily the positive feelings come to me.

"I'm lucky I guess."

I murmur to myself as I wander past the spot below Hammer's den. Without meaning to I catch the
eye of a small pale grey wolf standing on the track leading upwards to the cave. I nod and expect
him to stand guard, but he pads over to intersect my walk.

"Hey, you're Denzel. I, uh, saw you yesterday. I just wanted to check that you didn't find Hammer
too intimidating. I mean, he's on your side. You're not the first to have to speak to him before any
other wolf in the forest. I'm Tiger by the way, and before you even say a word, yes, it's a joke. I,
umm, didn't find it too easy when I first got here so I started making really bad jokes, and it kinda
stuck, uh, heh."

I can't help but grin at the seemingly self-conscious wolf and he looks at me anxiously.

"Hammer said that if I helped him out maybe, and met more of the other wolves in the pack, that it
would settle me down a bit. I mean you've just got here too, and you're probably scared stiff,
although you don't smell too scared. I'm sorry, I'm babbling."

I want to nuzzle the poor wolf right there and then, but I hesitate. I have to consciously remind
myself; I'm a wolf. I move forward and press my nose to Tiger's neck and hold it there. I can feel
Tiger go tense but then relax. I pull away and realise Tiger has his eyes closed. When he opens
them again his scent is slightly less anxious. I grin again.

"It's great to meet you, Tiger. Come and hang out any time you want. Yeah, Hammer was terrifying,
but I was terrified anyway so it didn't make too much difference. Plus, he let me stay, and that's all
that matters now. He can tell me when to pee and which tree to aim at as far as I'm concerned. I
need him. I think we all need him."

Tiger looks at me and starts to breathe hard. I'm afraid he's going to start whining but he holds
himself together admirably. I want to know more about this wolf. I feel a sudden affinity towards
him.

"Umm, look, you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but can you tell me how long you've
been here? I mean you already know when I arrived."

Tiger whimpers in his throat and it's a while before he answers.

"T...t... two moons."

My heart almost breaks. I move forward to nuzzle his neck again and we stay close and silent for a
while. Finding another wolf as new and as scared as I was creates an immediate bond. Once
again, I find his eyes closed when I back away.

"Are you helping Hammer now?"

"N... no. He's resting and the advisors aren't m... meeting with him until later."

I can scarcely believe that barely two days have passed since my awkward non-conversation with a
black bear, but somehow I'm coping.

"Let's go and rest. We don't have to talk. Let's just find a little peace and quiet."

Tiger nods, and we pad over to a small unoccupied patch of grass. I lie and down and Tiger copies
me.

As we let time pass, I try and keep my emotions in check. I think of how ridiculously lucky I am, all
things considered. Ryker telling me that new wolves find it difficult to cope was certainly a likely
reality. My chat with Bella and now my encounter with Tiger bring the terrible consequences of the
mysterious magic front and centre. The thought of wolves petrified with fear for days, weeks, or
"moons" makes my heart break completely. Only my resolve keeps me from letting my emotion
show, and I force my shaken alliance of human and wolf to stand together. I look over at Tiger and
send hope to the creator that he finds peace.

The sun continues its stately journey towards the west. By the time I open my eyes from another
doze, I find that Tiger has gone. I can't help but like the young wolf. I resolve to check in with him
again soon. I yawn and stretch and scratch out bits of dirt and grass from my fur, followed by a
giving myself a tongue bath and preen. Things are coming so naturally to me now that I relax into a
sort of peaceful daze whilst giving my body the attention it needs to keep it in shape.

Just as I complete a self-check and start to wonder about getting a drink, I happen to look up and
see Hammer on the ledge above me. I gulp and realise he's watching me out of the corner of his
eye. For a long moment I think he's going to approach me but instead he gives me a very small but
noticeable nod. I realise I'm holding my breath and release it as soon as I see him turn around and
retreat towards the cave entrance. Hammer is certainly a wolf of few words, but then I reason that
his appearance and manner is all you need to know.

I wander to the south-west towards the point the stream widens abruptly and find a rock outcrop on
which to sit and observe the water. I see shapes moving backwards and forwards in the deeper
parts and I watch with rapt fascination. I can't tell whether it's my human side or wolf side that is so
interested, but a rumble in my belly eventually confirms my suspicions. Fishing wasn't something I
was about to add to my day's adventures though, so I find some small fruits on the ground and eat
them instead. The taste is sharp but satisfying and my stomach sends me a small thank you.

The sun is definitely getting low now, but I decide to stay a while and enjoy my own company
before heading back towards the den. Despite Ryker's kindness there's still too much human in me
worrying about being the gooseberry of the group. I head further to the west to the outskirts of the
clearing to find another vantage point. I go back to watching the fish and smile at the idea of a life
spent underwater, when I catch a scent I don't recognise. Distracted I lift my head and look along
the river. There, roughly a hundred yards away is a wolf, only something smells...off.

Whilst trying to work it out I see the wolf, a she-wolf, start to walk slowly towards me looking
pointedly in my direction. I stare and realise I can't take my eyes away. She stops and turns toward
the water. Her body is sleek, her fur totally silver in colour. Just for a second the late afternoon sun
casts a beam through the cloud and illuminates her in a spotlight. The light glints and sparkles off
her damp fur. Despite the strangeness of her scent, I can't help but be captivated. Something in my
head is screaming at me to approach her, but just as it pushes me out of my trance, she turns and
trots away. All I can do is stare after her.

With my maw still open in a gaped expression I sit on my haunches until it's clear she's not going to
reappear. I turn and start walking back towards the den in a daze until I give myself a kick and start
to think more clearly about what my senses were telling me. I had sensed and stored dozens of
wolf scents in the limited time I'd been here, but they all carried a common ingredient, a marker,
which told me they were left by Hammer's pack. The she-wolf's scent, didn't. There was only one
conclusion, the strange wolf was an interloper on our pack's territory.

My musings have occupied me such that a look up reveals I'm in sight of familiar faces again.
Shade and Bella are in conference with Ryker and the mood feels edgy, but first of all Stone
approaches me with a grin.

"I bet that hare tasted amazing!"

I smile and feel slightly abashed.

"It was gone too soon, Stone. I could have eaten it three times over. You gave me so much
confidence yesterday. I know the hunt might be remembered for other things, but all I want to do
now is practise moving as fast as you do."

Stone beams at me, and my hunch as to the best words to say appears to be right on the money.

"You might want to come over and chat. There's...news."

Stone raises his brow at me and his scent changes at once to one of anxiety. I look around him
towards the others waiting for me. I pad over and give myself a quick shake and scratch. Ryker
waits patiently before giving me a nod.

"You need to know this too Denzel. The word is spreading around the pack now. There's a strange
scent in the air. Hammer and his advisors are meeting now. It's very likely... What is it?"
Ryker breaks off and notices my sudden look of alertness. I take a breath and glance at my friends.

"Have any other pack mates seen her?"

I'm met with confusion, so I press on.

"A little while ago I was sitting by the river watching the fish, but I smelt something odd. I looked up
and there was a she-wolf out to the west, down river. She was a brilliant silver colour. I couldn't look
away. She had an amazing glimmer to her coat. Anyway, she walked in my direction for a bit and
then turned around and disappeared north. I waited but she didn't come back. I don't think she was
pack. Her scent was all wrong."

Ryker fixes me with the same solemn look I'd seen him give after his revelation about our humanity.

"That settles it. I need to head back to Hammer's to add your story to the others I've heard. We're
being scouted. There's another pack out there watching us. We all need to be alert. It has
happened before, and it will happen again. Denzel, are you ok?"

I nod but at the same time a vibration deep in my throat makes me realise I'm growling. My reaction
makes me jump and I shake myself again.

"Yeah, I'm ok. It's just...well, I not going to lose everything I've gained now. Not after everything I've
just been through."

Shade gives me a warm sympathetic look.

"The whole pack is ready to defend what we have, don't you worry. If there's an over-confident
alpha out there looking at us then Hammer will stand right in his way, and believe me, you don't
want to make Hammer angry!"

Ryker pads away, immediately joining another group heading towards Hammer's place. Stone and
Shade disappear into the den. Bella just looks at me. There's something about her gaze that makes
me blush and my ears flatten towards my head. I can't help it.

"Anything else you want to tell us?"

Bella smiles, but I've seen that playful glint in her eye before. It had already occurred to me that
keeping a secret amongst wolves is going to be nigh on impossible. My scent was going to be a
dead giveaway however much I tried to hide my feelings. I decide to play it coy for now. The last
thing I want is fuss over nothing. Bella notices quickly that I'm not about to respond and doesn't
press the matter.

"It's ok Denzel. Your secret is safe, for now."

She chuckles and pads away. The day is drawing to a close. Stone and Shade play a mock game
of chase. Bella shows me another source of food from a plant by the river and explains how to
catch rodents for a snack. Eventually Ryker returns and gathers us back together.

"Arrangements have been made. We're going to keep a close watch on the outer glades and along
the stream. If any of you sense anything out of the ordinary, even if it turns out Stone has left rat
remains on the den roof, then let me know straightaway. A few of Hammer's aides are going to
keep guard overnight. The likelihood of any scouts getting close without us scenting them is almost
zero now."

Ryker gives me a look and calms my fears.

"It will be ok Denzel. We've been in this situation before and we've got some great advantages
here, and that's before thinking of how our humanity helps. Hammer and his friends are a huge
disincentive to any wolves with more bravery than sense, and you can be sure that word is already
spreading that any advance on us here is going to be very foolhardy. We're also getting larger in
number, now that the forest knows where the "strange wolves" are. Let's get some rest. There's no
reason not to feel safe."

The mood is quiet as we begin to snuggle up in the den, each of us alone with his or her thoughts. I
spend a few moments looking at the antler again, remembering the feeling of watching the hare, of
Tiger's anxious look toward me almost pleading for friendship, and Ryker's face when telling us of a
strange pack nearby. However much I try though, my memory constantly pulls me back to the silver
she-wolf by the river, and my final thought before sleep takes me, is of her shimmering fur in the
sunlight.

---

The first birds provide a perfect alarm call, and I stir perched with my muzzle on Stone's back.
Sleeping arrangements can be highly fluid given our flexibility it would seem. I notice Ryker and
Bella's absence straightaway, and the scents at the entrance leave me in no doubt that Ryker came
and went often during the night. I pad slowly outside but notice no strange scents with first light. I
do my business, scratch, take a drink and find Ryker's trail leading into the forest. Bella's however
leads along the river. Not feeling especially hungry I decide to follow her.

Signs of the pack being on alert are everywhere. Rather than being spread out, those wolves
already awake are in groups. At that moment a trio of confident smelling pack members wander
back from the forest and head north without a glance towards me. I head towards the spot I'd seen
the she-wolf the night before but there's no sign of any wolf down river. I can't get an odd feeling
out of me. Being a wolf naturally came with a full spectrum of instincts. It seems attraction wasn't
left out. I rest with my head down, my human side trying to come to terms with that. Just at the
point when I feel like I'm making progress, my new life throws me another curveball. I let out a
small whine.

Bella is there before I can even turn around to pick out her scent.

"Hoping to catch someone's eye again?"

Being silent on the matter just wasn't going to work. My embarrassment can likely be felt by the
whole pack now.

"I guess I need to accept what my body is telling me. Fighting instincts doesn't seem to work out
too well. I thought maybe I could have some time to just get used to being a new "me", but no, I
gotta see the she-wolf of my dreams. I've hardly had time to have any dreams!"

Bella chuckles softly and stands up close to me.

"Oh Denzel, you do like a challenge don't you! It's just a crush. Remember I'm always around to
listen if you need an ear."

"Thanks sis."

Our touching moment of bonding is spoilt somewhat by the fat rabbit being dropped next to us.
Stone grins and gestures toward the forest to the south-west.

"A present from your mate, Bella. He'll be back in a minute, but he found a warren and won't give it
up until he's caught another one."

Stone lolls his tongue out for a second and then disappears into the forest again. Bella rolls her
eyes.

"Boys! Present company excepted of course. Share it with me?"

We tuck into the unexpected early morning treat. As I'm looking over the remains searching for the
last scraps, I see activity on the other side of the clearing. Bella and I both look up and Shade joins
us looking perfect as usual. Several pack mates are gathered, and Hammer appears on his ledge.
After what looks like a small conference, the wolves split into more groups but this time all head
back into the forest to the north. As I'm craning my neck to watch and a few drops of rain start to
fall, Ryker appears beside us.

"I'm going to find out what's going on. The smell says worry. Something's happened."

Ryker trots off leaving us waiting for news. It doesn't take long for it to reach us as Ryker comes
running back with urgency.

"Another pack is approaching from the north. From the scent and steady progress they've made,
it's difficult to assume they'll skirt around us. Either they don't know enough about us, or they mean
to make some kind of challenge. Hammer's put out our best scouts and wants us to help. Shade,
take Stone and find Sola. Hammer has her making sure all tracks are watched. We don't want them
flanking us. Bella and I will join you in a minute.

Like the previous day I immediately start growling. I'm just about to argue with the inevitable line
that I'm too new and inexperienced to help when I notice Hammer making his way towards us.
Before he arrives, Ryker notices my frustration and tries to head off an unwanted distraction.

"It's not that we don't want you to help Denzel, it's just...we don't want you to get hurt over this. We
don't know the other packs intentions. The situation is full of risk, and we have the numbers to..."
Hammer walks straight past Ryker and approaches me. A familiar feeling of fear and awe oozes
through me. Not waiting for any kind of acknowledgement he motions Ryker to silence and stands
less than a yard in front of and above me. Now I know what a pup feels like. I submit and wait.

"Are you prepared?"

In a split second I realise that not only am I prepared, but I'm ready to take on whatever challenges
being a wolf was going to throw at me. I'd already decided to try. Now I was going to help.

"I'm ready. I know exactly how this could go. I hope you don't mind me saying this, but the more
pack members that help defend the better. Would you have me hide in a den?"

Ryker and Bella both wince and look down. All activity in the clearing seems to stop. Hammer
simply stares at me. His eyes pierce me as if they're examining my very soul. I sense that I've
come perilously close to crossing a line. With everything to lose, I double the bet.

"I'm a wolf!"

I almost shout the last three words but have more than enough anxiety rushing through me that I
can't help but hold my breath waiting for Hammer to respond. It turns out Hammer knows very well
the usefulness of creating more through silence. After an eternity, he nods.

"Very well. You are now part of our plan."

He turns and addresses the three of us together, his eyes intense fire.

"Ryker, Bella, you're to scout to the north-west. Denzel, you'll be responsible for watching the
clearing and alerting us to any changes in scent at the boundary. Do you understand your duty,
Denzel?"

My nerves are frayed but I look back at Hammer with genuine confidence.

"I do."

Hammer walks away, and the three of us breathe slowly and deeply. Ryker and Bella, both give me
a look of respect I've not seen before. As Bella turns to the north-west, Ryker lingers.

"You've got this Denzel. Make us proud."

With that he runs after his mate.

---

End of part 4