The sun streaming through the cabin windows woke us the following morning. Not that we’d gotten much sleep, after all. Once Ray had finished his tea, we’d stayed up for over an hour reminiscing about all the mischief we used to get into together. Raydir shifted next to me on the sofa, his cheek rough against mine as we laid there together. I slowly slipped out of his embrace to get changed. Rosie had helped me find a handful of outfits that should fit which would at least let me have something to wear for a few days.

“We make all of our own clothes out here,” she had said. I’d always wanted to learn how to sew, and Ginny had just started to teach me. Maybe if one day I went back…well, would I ever go back?

Satisfied with a new white and green corset dress, I wrote out a note for Raydir and headed out to the stables. The river trails were calling, and I hadn’t checked on Majesty since giving him to the stable hands the day before. Luckily, others were already awake and bustling around the lake. I waved to Rosie as she led a horse out of the barn.

“Good morning, Arwyn,” she greeted me. “Want to go for a ride? There are some lovely trails around here.”

“I would love to. That’s actually why I’m out—I wanted to let Raydir sleep. We…had a rough night last night.”

Rosie nodded in understanding. “Nightmares again? Yes, Bennett still gets them too. Did the tea help?”

“It seemed to. I’m hoping…I really hope this is it.” I mounted Majesty and nudged him into a walk. Rosie and her horse took the lead with us following closely behind. She brought us through the woods just beyond the valley until we stopped at a waterfall that flowed into a beautiful crystal blue pool.

“Wow,” I breathed. “This is magical.”

“There’s a reason the wolves seek out the valley.” She pointed to the landscape around us.

“It certainly is peaceful,” I commented, still not fully understanding.

“You don’t know the legend, then?”

I shook my head.

Rosie dismounted and motioned for me to do the same. “The history of the wolf curse goes back to the beginning of our world. In our world, Solarelm, everyone is born with a dormant wolf spirit. And the only way the spirit becomes evoked is when someone rejects their Chosen.”

“So the curse is connected to the Fate Ceremony?” I asked, thinking back to all my history lessons growing up.

Rosie nodded. “As the story always seems to go, there were two brothers who ruled over the dukedoms. Each duke was blessed with a son, Jasper and Randel. As the cousins grew up, their fathers knew that one day each boy would inherit the respective throne, so they created the Fate Ceremony. All the eligible maidens joined together to see who would be wed to Jasper and Randel. While this didn’t seem to mean much at the time, it meant a whole lot more when Delia, a duchess in Gwyniar, drew Jasper’s name from the cauldron. Rumor had it that Delia and Randel were in love. They had planned on running away together.”

“That sounds familiar.” I looked out over the water, sliding out of Majesty’s saddle.

“Randel proposed to Delia the night she was supposed to attend her ceremony—an alignment,” Rosie continued. “Upon saying yes, the shift happened. He turned into a wolf, and ran off into the woods. Delia, devastated, sought Jasper’s help to find her love.”

“Did they succeed?”

“Yes. That same night, Jasper confronted his cousin, but because the wolf spirit had turned him aggressive, Randel attacked him, ultimately turning him as well.”

“That’s…depressing. So what happened to Jasper after he was attacked? And what about Delia? Was her wolf spirit then released too?”

Rosie pursed her lips in thought.. “That is a bit more complicated. All we know is that Darqua became the wolf valley as a way to protect the three from anyone who tried to hunt them down. No one knew what the wolf spirit could do, and after Randel attacked Jasper, they didn’t know what to think.”

“So, then these two wolf types. Does anyone know which one they have until the Alignment happens? And if that’s true, why haven’t I had nightmares?”

“As we’ve said, the Alignment affects everyone differently. And it’s taken many years and many Alignments to perfect the remedies.”

A bell sounded in the distance, echoing through the valley.

“Ah. That’s the call for breakfast. We should be heading back.” Rosie climbed back onto her horse, and we set back for the cabins. Once there, we handed our horses off to a few stablehands and went to join the others. I quickly located Raydir talking with someone, recognizing her as the other woman who stood by Bennett’s side at our arrival in Darqua. He gave a wave as I walked over.

“Hi,” I greeted him with a kiss, running my fingers over the new shadow along his jawline. “Who’s this?”

The girl smiled. “I’m Caesaria. Raydir was just telling me that you arrived last night. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself yet. The days leading to the Alignment are always rough.” She pronounced her name with a hard ‘c’.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m learning. How long have you and your boyfriend been here?”

Caesaria blushed. “Actually, I’m not here with my boyfriend.”

I raised my eyebrows, my arm tightening protectively around Raydir’s torso. “Oh?”

“I ran away from home when I was ten. I didn’t want to go through my Fate Ceremony, so I figured if I left that life behind early on, I would be safe.” Caesaria shrugged. “I guess rejecting my future—any future—woke the wolf spirit.”

“Wait, so you…”

She nodded, tucking some hair behind her ear. “My wolf spirit has been released, yes. As yours and Raydir’s will be tonight.”

“Are you the only one out here without a…partner?”

“I’m…I’m the only one who came out here under different circumstances. But you’ll find that most people fall into the category of rejecting their fated for another man.” She glanced at the Grand Cabin. “We should head in for breakfast.”

“Good idea. We’ll catch up.” Once she was out of sight, Raydir sweeped me into his arms and kissed me deeply, his tongue dancing over my mouth.

“Mm,” I moaned, knees turning to jelly beneath me. “Hello to you too.”

He grinned. “I’ve just been thinking about how I really do get to spend the rest of my life with you and only you.”

“Well, I love to hear that. How did you sleep last night? You know, after the tea?”

“Better. I think it really did help. And I drank the next cup when I woke up. Speaking of, you said in your note that you went out. Where did you go?”

I gestured to the landscape. “Rosie and I took the horses out for a ride. And she told me the history of the wolf curse.”

“Oh?”

“It’s a long story.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Raydir and I decided to go for another ride after breakfast so I could show him the waterfall.

“Amazing, really. Look how blue the water is.” Ray glanced at me as we dismounted, his fingers reaching for the buttons of his shirt. “Do you wanna swim?”

“Here? Now?” Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Together?”

He laughed. “Here, now, and together. Yes.” He held out his hand to me. “What are you afraid of?”

“Nothing. I just…well, you…” I cleared my throat. “Um, just turn around.”

He obeyed, and I slipped off my dress to the modified corset top sewn to a bottom piece of fabric. It still felt awkward to wear but it was better than nothing. Literally.

“Ok, it’s safe. Your turn.”

He turned back around and smiled, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.

“What?” I asked, wrapping my arms around my body, suddenly aware of how exposed I was to him. He had never seen me in anything less than the dresses I wore at the palace.

“Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Because you’re staring at me.” He smirked.

“Am not.” My gaze traveled down his body from his eyes to his torso to the trail leading down…

“Are too.”

My eyes snapped back to his. “You happen to just capture my attention, that’s all. We have been dating since we were eighteen.

“Well if sneaking around behind our parents backs for three of those seven years means dating, then this must be what marriage feels like.” He pulled me closer. I let out a small squeak as I felt just how close our bodies were, just how hot his breath was on my cheek, just how weak the sight of him made my knees.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing we’re engaged,” I whispered in his ear.

He hoisted me up to wrap my legs around his waist. My fingers tangled their way into his hair as his arms roamed over my back.

“Watch your step,” I murmured, which sounded about as romantic as a rock.

He let out a low, soft growl in response, stepping toward the water. Of course, he miscalculated and slipped, causing both of us to fall into the water.

I emerged for air, gasping and laughing all the same. “I told you to watch your step.” I flicked water at him.

“That was my fault.”

“Yeah it was.”

“So tell me,” Raydir said, his hands still on waist. “What are you afraid of with me?”

I reached up to tuck my hair behind my ears. “I’m not afraid. I mean, we’ve only been sleeping toge—er, falling asleep together since we started on the trip out here. There’s not much I haven’t seen with you.”

Raydir raised his eyebrows and I rolled my eyes. “Not like that. I just mean, we’ve experienced so much together, that I don’t need to be afraid because I know I have you.”

He kissed me again. “You really are something else, Arwyn Kingston.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The darkness of the evening came much too quickly, just like the hastening of my heart beat as I watched the sky.

“Are you ok?” Raydir asked me, his fingers curled around a mug with the last dose of ibisco tea.

I nodded shakily. “We’re in this together. And I will be right by your side through this entire thing.” I clutched the praesidium crystal from Rosie in my hands. “We’re going to be okay.”

Ray set the mug down on the table and took my hand. “C’mon, let’s go outside. Rosie and Bennett are meeting us before the Alignment.”

We walked outside where several people had already gathered, ready to consume the moonlight.

“Arwyn, Raydir! There you are. We were beginning to get worried,” Rosie said.

“Just getting everything in order,” Raydir replied. “So what do we need to do?”

“The moons should be aligning any minute. And when they do, Raydir you’ll start to feel the change. Arwyn, it’s going to be painful. The first shift always is. You just have to remind him of who he is.”

“Got it.” I looked up at the sky. Any second now. Any second—

“Arggh!” Raydir clawed his head with his fingers and dropped to his knees with a thud.

“Ray!” I shrieked, trying to keep my composure. “Ray, stay with me!”

He let out a scream that froze me to my core.

“The crystal, Arwyn!”

My fingers fumbled for it, swiping at the grass beneath me to where it had fallen. I clutched the stone close to my heart. Slick with sweat, the crystal warmed up in my hands from the heat of my fingers. The edges dug into my palms as I held it tight. “Stay with me, Raydir. I love you. Me, Arwyn. I love you. I love you.” A ray of light shot out from the crystal in my hands, surrounding the two of us in a purple glow. Nothing around me seemed real anymore.

Down on all fours, he let out a low growl and a whimper, his eyes flashing golden as his body morphed from man to wolf. Clothes transformed into fur. Extremities transformed into paws. Speech transformed into howls.

“Stay with me, Ray,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face now. Glancing up at his now fur-covered face, it was hard to tell if he was still there. “Ray?”

The wolf in front of me threw his head back and let out a howl, the sound echoing through the valley in sync with the other wolves. “Awoooooooooo!!!!”

“Ray?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.

He let out a small whimper, nudged at my knee with his snout. I love you, Arwyn.

I gasped, falling backwards and landing hard on my elbows. Did he just talk to me?

Yes, wolf-Raydir replied.

In my head. This all had to be in my head. Of course it was in my head. So why can he answer me?

I guess this is part of the transformation. He pawed at the ground. Wait for me at the cabin. He took off with the rest of the pack, leaving me speechless and extremely confused.

“Telepathy?” I asked out loud. “Rosie didn’t say anything about telepathy.” Speaking of…I looked around. In the midst of the transformation, most of the others had abandoned the scene, most likely to be with their wolves or to let them have their night.

Now what?

With what little energy I had left, I hauled myself back to the cabin and dressed in my nightgown. But there was no way I was going to sleep until I knew Raydir was safe behind the locked door with me.

Tick. Tok. Tick. Tok. The clock on the wall filled the silence, and my eyes never left the door. Now that the Alignment had happened, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.

Just then the door burst open, and Raydir stumbled in, his face grimy and clothes mussed.

“Arwyn.” His voice came out low and gruff as his eyes scanned the room for me.

“Raydir.” I ran over to him. He wrapped his arms around me, breathing heavily. “Are you ok? Are you hurt?”

“Just need some water.”

I nodded, rushing over to the kitchen to pour him a glass. We sat on the sofa together as he drank. “How is that?”

“Better.” He turned to me. “How are you? This can’t be easy on you, I know, and I’m so—”

I pressed my fingers to his lips. “Don’t apologize.”

He leaned forward, lips parting, fingers curling through my hair. “Then how can I make up for lost time tonight?”

My mouth twitched into a smile. “Just kiss me.”

Raydir grinned, pulling me closer, as heat radiated off of our clothed bodies. His mouth found mine, heads turning, bodies yearning for each other.

And then the heat intensified.

Our gazes locked on one another, hunger and desire evident in his eyes. His lips moved lower to the spot of exposed skin between my shoulderblades.

Can I kiss you here? he asked, his fingers gliding lightly over the spot. Electricity sparked as he touched me. I bit my tongue to keep from giggling at how ticklish it felt.

Yes. I closed my eyes as he nipped lightly at the skin, breath warm against it. His hands traveled to the front of my nightgown, hovering just above the ties.

“Is this—is this ok?” he asked.

“Mm hmm.”

As his fingers started to tug at the strings, I pulled back. “Wait. Um, should we…you know…move to the—my—room? Or yours. Doesn’t really matter. I just don’t think this should happen on…the couch.”

I awkwardly led him to my room, closing the door behind us. “So. How exactly…I mean…what…”

He reached out to tuck my hair behind my ears. “We just…do. I think. Is it ok if I untie your nightgown?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

His fingers fumbled at the ribbons, taking his time to untie them. Then he grunted, and the nightgown tightened at my stomach.

“Agh.”

“Sorry, hold on.” He stepped back. “I think I knotted it.”

“Just—here.” I swatted his hand away and picked at the knot, lucky enough to have dealt with this sort of thing for so many years. Finally. The knot came undone so that the nightgown hung loosely over my body. “There.” I glanced up at him.

He pulled his shirt off over his head, tossing it to the side. My breath caught in my throat as I drank in the muscles of his bare chest, the trail of hair leading straight down from his navel behind the top of his trousers taunting me with every breath he took.

I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Ray.”

“Hmm.”

My fingers curled through his hair. “You asked me before what I was afraid of with you. The truth?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m afraid of not being enough for you. I have loved you since we were children, Raydir. For so many years, I longed to know you—really know you—and now that we’re…vulnerable to each other, I can’t help but wonder if I really am what you want.”

“Arwyn.” His voice floated over me, soothing as always. A tingle shivered along my back. “You are who I have always wanted to spend my life with. If I could have proposed to you earlier, believe me—I would’ve jumped at the chance.”

“Are you afraid?”

He leaned in close, his breath warm on my cheek. “Terrified.”

I kissed him, letting my tongue dance around his mouth. Then let’s conquer our fears together.