I smell blood. A wounded animal. An easy kill. The blood is still fresh. Not dead yet. A noise ahead, whimpering. Getting close. Big animal. No not animal.
The part of my brain that is still human tries to comprehend. No fur. Clothing. Human. Must not kill. It's female and injured. Blood covers her ragged clothing.
Smells like sweat, blood and desperation. Can't smell her. Can't smell animal on her.
She trips and I move closer careful not to frighten her. A twig snaps under my feet and she sits on her heels terrified. The terror leaves her eyes almost instantly when she see me and is replaced by hope. She reaches a hand towards me and I see the other arm is being held awkwardly. It is broken and the bone has torn through the skin.
Wolf. Not pack. Strange wolf. Injured wolf. Not pack. Not enemy.
After sniffing her skin I move closer letting her palm glide over my head, down my neck. She screams and I back away looking for the source of her pain. It only takes me a moment to realize the pain is inside. I hear bones snap and bend, the sick sound of flesh moving over itself. She screams and I realize she doesn't know what she's doing. It's her first change. Not enough time to turn human. I try to help by ripping her clothing off with my teeth, knowing it will be easier if she isn't restricted. She clings to me digging her sharpening nails into my fur and skin, it hurts but I don't stop her. I rub my face against her cheek and neck, letting her smell me, smell wolf. She'll know she's not alone.
Tears stream down her face and I lick them away as her mouth grows long; as teeth grow sharp. Her screams and cries turn into whimpers until finally she lies panting before me as wolf. Her fur, like her hair, is dark brown like earth after the rains. Her eyes almost glow amber. She raises her head and with visible effort she moves to sit back on hind legs. Her broken arm has been healed and she is no longer bleeding.
I snap my teeth at her and she runs. I chase.
Bite. Chase. Fight. Roll. Play. Hunt.