The moon rose, full and bright, casting its light on the world around us. The night sky was a black canvas behind it, painted with stars. I looked up at them, their light calling me. Next to me, a black wolf stood, his coat blending into the darkness. His bright eyes stared at the moon. Behind him, another grey wold walked up to us. She nuzzled his head. They were mates, partners. I stood watching them. Their pack stood scattered in the dark woods beyond. 

I stared at the moon, my senses tingling. The power inside me begged to be free. I knew I wouldn’t see the full moon for days. It had to be tonight. 

It had to be. 

I looked back at the black wolf, the alpha, the leader. He knew what I needed. He lifted his large snout to the air and howled, long and shrill. The rest of the pack joined him, their howls coming together like a song.
My heart beat faster. 

The black wolf leaped forward, taking off at full speed. The rest of the pack joined with me close at their heels. They were fast, but if you’ve grown up with wolves like I have, you learn how to run. I was just as fast on my two legs as they were on four. I was soon in the middle of the pack, my legs and lungs burning. It felt good to run with them. It felt alive. 

The black wolf ran at the head of the pack. No one but his mate dared to pass him. Around us, the trees climbed high, reaching for the sky above. Their leaves nearly blocked out the full moon. But its glow was to bright. It cast a blanket of light on everything it touched. It illuminated our path. I jumped over a fallen log, keeping pace with the wolves.
We started running up hill. The wolves didn’t slow down and neither did I. We had to get to the top. The wolves continued to climb. I followed them. They knew the best way to the peak. 

I broke through the woods and found myself standing near a cliff. Ahead of me, the alpha wolf stood at the top of the peak, his mate beside him. The peak dropped in front of me. Below us, the forest was quit, dark. No sound was made, no animal stirred. They were all nestled in there nests, waiting for the moon to pass and the sun to rise. But not the wolves. I could see them, just barely through the trees. This was their time, their domain.
They ruled the night. 

The alpha nudged my leg. Its time. 

I knew it was. I stood and looked up at the full moon. Its warm glow was brighter up here. I felt like I could almost touch it. The alpha wolf stepped up next to me, tilting his snout up towards the moon. He howled and the other wolves joined him. 

I reached out my hand. I stepped forward, my foot touching the edge. The power inside me begged to be set free. It turned inside me, patiently waiting. I opened my hand. My palm was washed in the bright light of the moon. The power inside me begged to be let out, and I let it. The moonlight seeped into my skin. I sucked in a breath, letting the light wash over me. I smiled and stepped up to the edge. 

The wolves behind me stopped howling and looked at me. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.” 

The black wolf cried but nudged me forward anyway. I smiled and pet his head. 

I looked back at the moon and soaked in its light. My body tensed. My heart beat faster.

And I jumped.