The walk to the lake was quiet as they progressed. For the most part, Xeik was just contemplating what was about to happen. There was a very, very real possibility that he might lose Mia tonight, but he couldn’t show that fear to Mia. Before long, they were upon the lake, and Mia was already stripping down at Liz’s suggestion.
He had seen Mia naked before, but for some reason, in the light of the moon, she looked more beautiful than he could describe. His heart cried out, terrified at the thought of losing her, but Mia touched his hand, pulling him to the lake with her. This small act of affection seemed to calm him down, if for a bit. Her excitement was palpable, but with Liz’s suggestion, Mia focused on herself and the moon.
Time seemed to pass slowly as Mia’s focus was solely on the moon. She seemed to be in a trance of sorts, but Liz’s demeanor was calm, which meant this was normal. Soon, though, after almost an hour of waiting, Mia’s transformation began. It was painful for her, and Xeik almost panicked, but Liz called out not to fight it. Moments later, Mia’s body shifted into a large, almost white wolf. Xeik let out a breath that he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Mia…” he said as she walked up to the water, investigating herself. Seemingly out of nowhere, she started to run, taking a lap around the lake and then around Xeik, who started to laugh. All of the tension and worry that he felt had melted away, and had been replaced with happiness and joy. “Mia! Calm down!” he said between laughs as he fell over.
Xeik put his head to hers, and closed his eyes, tears slipping down his face. “You’re okay! You survived it Mia! I’m so proud of you…I’m so glad….” It was hard not to tear up. He looked to Liz, who commented on her fighting stature, and he nodded. “She’ll have to get lessons then…” His attention went back to her, and he nuzzled her. “But for now…I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
