And as if that wasn't enough, when I called my childhood friend Dominica to tell her what happened, she flat-out said she didn't really want to talk to me anymore. Those "friends forever" who used to sit side by side on the garden pots... gone.

At home, my worried parents and little sister Mia were waiting for me.

"Daughter! Finally! We were so scared!" my mother exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.

"How do you feel? Are you okay? We were terrified. Thank goodness grandfather helped find you," I could see the genuine worry and exhaustion in her eyes.

"Mom, I'm fine now. Honestly, I was scared too," I admitted.

"I just didn't want to hurt you all, so I ran away. Please forgive me."

Noticing her nervous energy, I quickly added, "I'm better now. Everything went more or less smoothly, though my muscles really ache. Let's have some tea to calm down."

She sighed deeply and headed to the kitchen to prepare tea, while my dad, Mia, and I stayed in the hall.

"Dad, on a scale from one to ten, how worried was Mom?" I asked quietly.

He smiled wryly. "She uprooted half the garden before dawn. But she calmed down. You know, Mom's best therapist is a hoe."

During our family tea, it was decided I would stay with my grandfather for a while - until I grew closer to my animal side and learned to control myself better. It would be safer for everyone that way. Plus, Grandpa could always advise me if any problems with my werewolf nature popped up.

After that, the conversation drifted to lighter topics, and the evening ended peacefully.

When I finally went upstairs, I was surprised to find my room tidy.

But then again, Mom must have done her best - she even nursed my ficus back to health. No doubt, she has a real talent with plants.

Approaching the mirror, I searched for any visible changes.

My brown, slightly curly hair still fell below my shoulder blades. My nose was neat, lips a little full, and my eyes light gray. No bruises, no stray fur anywhere.

Good. No extra "vegetation."

Just as I was about to sink into sleep, a soft knock came at the door.

"Sis, can I lie down with you for a while?" Mia's quiet voice asked.

"Sure, come in," I smiled. She quickly crawled into bed and pulled the blanket over herself.

"Danka, how is it? Do you have superpowers now? Can you talk telepathically? What does your she-wolf look like? Did you see her? Did you howl at the moon?" Mia's questions came like a flood.

"Whoa, slow down, Cucumber!" I laughed.

"Let me explain. It feels... strange, but amazing. I can feel my wolf inside me. She reminds me of you - curious, admiring the world, always studying everything new. She looks a lot like Grandpa's wolf - black and beautiful."

At the word "beautiful," I felt my she-wolf growl softly inside me.

"I can only talk telepathically in wolf form with other werewolves. And as for howling at the moon... Mia, where did you get that idea? Werewolves don't really do that - at least, I didn't feel like it."

"I'm so jealous! I want to be a werewolf too! Now you can find your true mate on your own. How romantic!" Mia sighed dreamily, eyes sparkling with admiration.

If only she knew how much I loved this little firecracker.

Though she's not really a baby anymore - eleven years old now, green-eyed and blonde, destined to steal many hearts. But to me, she'll always be my little Cucumber.

She got the nickname because, as a toddler, she loved cucumbers and was always nibbling on them.

"Well, speaking of sniffing, I heard you were using my perfume again. Since when did you start caring about romance?"

"Fell in love, or what?" I teased.

Mia rolled her eyes, pretending to be offended.

"I'm not in love! I just found a book about werewolves in love - it's so exciting and romantic! They went through so much and found their way back to each other. They could even heal each other! I wish I could do that someday."

These days, werewolf romance books are everywhere, painting breathtaking tales of unearthly love.

But in reality, not everyone finds their true mate. Many marriages are out of convenience, or just happen to be with the wrong person.

The only true story I know is Grandpa and Grandma - they truly found each other.

I haven't really looked into it deeper, hoping the werewolf troubles wouldn't touch me.

I kept these thoughts from Mia - no point ruining her innocence. Girls should dream.

"Well, we'll see when you turn eighteen. Only six and a half years to wait," I smiled at her fragile enthusiasm.

"Yes! Will you show me your she-wolf then? I want to see her so badly!"

Her bright eyes made it impossible to say no.

"I will. But first, we'll learn self-control - just in case. Then I'll introduce you. I think she likes you too, but it's better not to meet yet. I'd never forgive myself if I hurt you or anyone else," I said sincerely.

"Okay, I'll wait."

"It's late now. Let's go to bed quickly, or I might bite you!" I laughed, pinching her side.

Mia giggled and ran out of the room.

"Good night, Cucumber!"

"I'm not Cucumber! Good night!" she called back.

I fell asleep with a smile.

---

In the following days, I moved to live with my grandfather. Unlike our village, there were more werewolves in his, and people were more accepting. I later found out that Elizabeth's family was also a werewolf family.

Speaking of Elizabeth - we became close friends. She's kind but straightforward, very different from me.

The red-haired beauty came from a wealthy, ancient werewolf lineage.

Her parents were strict and didn't approve of Eli's friendships with humans. But since I was already a werewolf, they strangely welcomed me. Our friendship was left undisturbed.

Grandpa had a dozen or so workers on his farm. I helped him during the day, and practiced transformations in the evenings.

Each time, the change was less painful - a relief.

Eli and I often ran through the forest chasing animals. We didn't hunt them, just enjoyed the thrill of the chase.

Well, everyone has their own way of having fun.

Chapter 4 4

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