“You are not executing it correctly.” “Pay closer attention to our companion,” Cordelia remarked.
Molly exhaled in frustration and opened her eyes to see him standing before her once more. “It is ineffective.” She will not attend.
“She is likely evaluating you.” “She desires your strength,” Jayce remarked. He scrutinised her visage as though he could discern her wolf with sufficient focus. “It is not solely a matter of inquiry; she perceives your intentions, and it is her prerogative to respond.”
Molly shut her eyes once more and endeavoured to comprehend his meaning. Do not compel her; allow her to arrive in her own time. Yet, refrain from enquiring as well? Molly sought to establish equilibrium within herself, aware that her wolf remained nearby, waiting patiently. Why could she not possess a wolf that willingly obeyed commands?
She experienced a wave of tranquilly as she exhaled. She envisioned her wolf assuming dominance, granting her autonomy rather than remaining a mere observer. Molly permitted her the liberation and strength she inherently desired. There was no one to rescue, not even herself. She merely wished for her to emerge and embrace the light for once in her existence.
“Very well…” Cordelia hissed. “If you insist, I shall emerge to engage.”
Molly perceived the shift as reminiscent of a prior sensation, yet she believed she would never acclimatise to it. Not in a hundred years.
Her bones fractured, each one of them. They contorted and assumed new configurations, inducing excruciating pain as she collapsed onto all fours. Her garments elongated and tore from her back despite her efforts to find something sufficiently robust to endure such an occurrence. She surmised that nothing she possessed would withstand this, would it?
White fur erupted across her skin as her legs transformed and her fingers morphed into paws. Her screams swiftly converted into howls, as though she relinquished control of her body the moment Cordelia intervened.
She whimpered upon realising the efficacy of his advice. Although she should have felt elated, fear consumed her instead. She rejected this body and this existence. Molly glanced at Jayce and noted his transformation; his wolf was as black as night, with striking blue eyes that would remain etched in her memory.
Her wolf was eager to greet him; Cordelia rushed to touch her nose to his in a form of salutation, disregarding Molly’s admonition to maintain distance from the prince. Such behaviour was improper, regardless of her wolf’s desires.
Molly suppressed her wolf instincts, hearing Cordelia’s internal growl. She yearned to vocalise, yet only howls and whimpers escaped her. Could she communicate mentally as a wolf? Molly found herself utterly perplexed by the situation, increasingly bewildered with each moment.
Jayce observed her with curiosity as he circumnavigated her wolf form. She remained motionless, permitting his scrutiny until he ventured into the trees and emerged moments later in his human guise, fully clothed, for which he expressed gratitude to the moon goddess.
“You must acquire the ability to retract and revert.” One should never permit their wolf to exert excessive control.
Cordelia bared her teeth at Jayce in a menacing manner. Molly compelled Cordelia to proceed towards the woods to revert to their original forms, but she remained immobile. A sinister sensation persisted in her mind; she recognised that these were not her own thoughts influencing her feelings. It was peculiar to lack control, to possess a wolf with an independent consciousness that insisted on being acknowledged, even when it was inappropriate.
Her wolf leaped onto Jayce, who intercepted her mid-air and collapsed into the snow. Once she was atop him, Cordelia relinquished her grip, permitting Molly to revert to her human form.
Molly was unaware of her nudity atop him until it was too late.
Her body was engulfed in shame and embarrassment. His bare hands grasped her exposed waist, and he appeared to comprehend the situation belatedly. Jayce raised his gaze to the sky and withdrew his hands. Molly hastily extricated herself from him, and he silently indicated his discarded cloak on a nearby rock.
She cast it onto herself and seized her additional garments before hastily retreating into the woods to change behind the largest tree available. Had he observed her? His hands were on her bare skin!
Molly hastily donned her garments and boots before peering into the clearing where he stood, orientated away from her, seemingly granting her a modicum of privacy. He must have observed something, correct? She fervently hoped he had not. She had never been unclothed in the presence of another man before; she did not wish to commence with him! Yet, what if he had? The thought of her profound humiliation was unbearable.
After several minutes of self-soothing, Molly emerged from behind the trees. He cast a glance back at her, displaying his characteristic indifference, which somewhat assuaged her anxiety. He appeared unaffected by the prior events. However, she remained uncertain whether he was merely feigning this demeanour for her sake or if he genuinely had not witnessed anything at all.
“Would you accompany me on a walk?”He enquired. Molly yearned solely to retreat to her cabin and conceal herself from humiliation, yet she suppressed that sentiment and acquiesced.
