Of all the transformations he had performed, this one by far felt the most challenging. Even with the pack's extra power, there was pain in the shift, forcing him to pull from nature to ease his burden. The completed transformation left him disoriented. He shook his mane. Prancing in place, he tested the movements of his new body.
The call of the wild compelled him to howl into the wind. Smoke and Anjo echoed his call, as did their pups. Their reply filled him with excitement. Kai stepped up to Smoke; his companion’s head was lower than his own. Kai realized that his wolf-form was taller than the average man.
The face of his teacher, Basil, came to mind. His teacher had cautioned him against creating a new creature, even discouraged him from anything besides his dragon. Kai imagined that only the most reckless, rebellious Beastmasters who dared to make a new beast would understand the intensity he experienced. Kai embraced his creation, reveled in the euphoria. The overwhelming desire to run coursed through his wild heart, but the words of Ryker echoed in his mind. Hold fast to your real life. Find the balance between your two worlds. He knew how important it was to remain focused on controlling his mind.
Rayna, the love of his life, remained his touchstone to his real life, and thoughts of their years together calmed his excitement. Her laughter echoed in his ears, her smile anchored him, and thoughts of their future warmed his soul.
Anjo barked playfully, drawing his attention. Her pups hopped in the snow and darted off through the woods. Kai followed. As a pack, they ran through the snow-covered forest. Icy snow crunched beneath his massive paws. Smoke darted around an immense boulder and his speed increased. Kai kept pace. A scent caught in Kai’s throat. The more he sniffed, the stronger the sensation rippled into his core, forcing instinct to take over. The smell of something wild piqued his interest. Cold air whipped through the trees, and he lost the scent. Smoke did not.
The black wolf darted through the forest. Kai spotted a rabbit hopping on the snow; their arrival caused it to run. The smell filled Kai’s mind and spurred him to chase the creature. The little thing was fast; he was faster. He closed the distance with little effort. A white wolf joined him in the pursuit. Thick underbrush and dense forest made it difficult to get close. Around trees and between rocks, it zipped. The smell of it stirred beastly desires.
The more he tried to catch it, the more it consumed his mind. He snapped his jaws into the thicket, trying to get a taste. The white creature slipped through the vines with its fur intact. The black wolf advanced around the clump of vines, forcing the rabbit back into hiding. They had it surrounded. Kai dug at the snow and pushed into the brambles; he wanted the tiny beast so bad he could nearly taste it.
Razor-sharp thorns caught in his thick fur. One barb pricked the edge of his nose. The pain startled him, and blood trickled down his muzzle into his mouth. A whisper on the wind called to him, and a woman’s voice called to him. It was Alenga, their goddess of all creation.
Kai, remember who you are. Run home.
Smoke and Anju barked; the wolf pups dug at the snow, searching for a way inside the thicket. The rabbit tremored in fear, trapped within the brambly vines.
That name—Kai. It sparked a memory. The face of a girl, the warmth of her hand, and the smell of her hair. He could not recall her name, but he knew her—cared for her. His mind raced, but he could not think clearly. The smell of fear oozed off the rabbit in front of him. Yet he stepped back.
Tufts of white and black fur clung to the brambles. His fur. While the other wolves barked, one stopped and ran to his side; even within his confusion, he recognized a connection between them. Thoughts of a man echoed from the great black wolf:
Kai, find Ryker.
Again, the name shook him. Kai. The memory of the black wolf resounded with a name—Smoke. Their bond eased his confusion. A sense of urgency forced Kai into action. Before his wild desires clouded his mind, Kai ran down the mountain. One thought was on his mind—find Ryker. Wild urges tugged at his nature. Through the trees, he smelled other animals.
Holding firm, he focused on the hillside of Matoku unfolding in the distance—a bustling city built amongst the snowy trees. How he knew the name or where to go, he was not sure. By leaps and bounds, he made short work of the vast distance.
Entering the city, he noticed the black wolf as it ran by his side. Again, Kai struggled to remember the wolf.
Smoke . . . is that you?
His mind fought to cling to memories. Kai and Smoke slowed to weave through the crowd. People and beasts in the city stopped and stared up at him. Their wide eyes shocked him as they parted to yield the path. Smoke led Kai through Matoku, up the hillside; their pace became swift once they had more freedom to move. A row of bulky trees connected by arching vines came into view, and an instant familiar feeling washed over Kai. A massive black wolf sprang from its resting spot. While she was tall, like Smoke, Kai still looked down at her.
Her name eluded him; he felt a connection, and after a sniff, she let him get close. Smoke disappeared into an arched, vine-covered entrance among the trees, and then returned with a man in black. Kai’s mind offered him the name—Ryker.
Keen brown eyes gleamed with recognition, and Ryker approached Kai.
“Beautiful beast, I’ve not seen the like.” Ryker looked up at him,
