~ Chapter Thirteen - Part 1 ~

As it turned out, Adrestia was hiding close to Africa, which worked out for them because they’d be able to save Anna sooner than Katalina had initially thought. Prometheus parked in front of a small house. “Alright,” Prometheus said. “Follow me.”
They all got out of the SUV and followed Prometheus. He led them around the house and into the forest behind it. They walked for a few minutes before coming to a giant tree. Prometheus smirked as he walked straight into the center of it and disappeared. “Adrestia was always one for the dramatics,” Daedalus muttered as he followed Prometheus.
Everyone else followed them inside and up a small staircase to a door. Prometheus opened the door and froze in place as a dagger came flying toward him. He dodged to the side as the blade hit the doorframe. “What the fuck, Adrestia?” Prometheus grumbled out as everyone walked inside.
Adrestia came out of the room with a smirk. “Well, to what do I owe this pleasure, Prometheus?” She asked as she tossed herself onto her couch. “I thought Zeus still had you imprisoned on that damn pillar.”
Prometheus gestured to everyone that was behind him. “It’s time for the prophecy Adrestia,” he said.
Adrestia sighed as she placed her elbows on her knees. “When do we leave?” She demanded.
“Tomorrow morning,” Katalina said as she took a few steps forward. “Anna isn’t too far from here, and we’re all exhausted.”
Adrestia nodded. “Unfortunately, I only have my room but plenty of blankets and whatnot.”
Katalina gave her a bright smile. “That’s alright. We'll be okay if we can get some rest outside of a car.”
Adrestia laughed as she stood up. “I like you,” she turned towards a small hallway. “I’ll grab those blankets and pillows. Make yourselves at home.”
Everyone got comfortable anywhere they could find, on the couch, chairs, and even on the carpeted floor against the wall. Damien had Katalina on his lap as he held her close and rubbed her back. Katalina sighed as she nuzzled into her neck. A thought occurred to her while they were sitting there. “When is the next full moon?” She questioned.
Damien frowned. “Tonight. Why little dove?” He asked as he looked down at her.
“I’m supposed to shift tonight,” she reminded him softly.
Damien’s eyes went wide. “Shit,” he looked at a clock on the wall. “Okay. Since we’re already in the forest, it won’t take us long to find a private clearing,” he stood up with Katalina and set her on her feet in front of him. “Okay, guys. Katalina is shifting for the first time tonight. We’re going out into the forest, so she has space to shift and run around. We should be back in a few hours. If not, we’ll be back first thing in the morning,” Damien explained.
Everyone nodded in understanding while they left the house.
Katalina and Damien walked through the forest until they found the perfect spot. It was a small clearing that was secluded. They stood in the middle of the clearing as Damien spoke softly. “Alright, little dove. The first shift is the best and the worst. The best because it’s so freeing. The worst because it’s the most painful,” he sighed. “Seeing as you said, your wolf will be no bigger than a husky puppy. It won’t be too bad, but there will still be some pain. The best way to handle it is to lean into it. Just let the shift flow through your being.”
Katalina nodded. “Okay, I got it. Lean into it,” she took a few deep breaths as she tried to relax.
Damien pulled her into his arms and soothingly rubbed her back. “Don’t worry, little dove. I’ll be right here the whole time,” he promised her.
Katalina leaned her head against his chest and felt the tension leave her body. They stood like that for a few minutes until she felt it. She pulled away as her eyes dilated. “It’s starting,” she whispered as she fell to her knees.
Damien knelt next to her and smoothed her hair back. “Let it take over, dove. Concentrate on being one with your wolf,” he said in a soft, soothing tone.
Katalina nodded and did what he said. Then, as she closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing, she let her wolf take over as the pain consumed her. When she opened her eyes minutes later, everything was so much clearer. Her senses were much better than before, and she knew that she was in wolf form.
“You are gorgeous, little dove,” Damien said in awe.
Katalina’s wolf was the size of a medium-sized pup. She was mainly raven black, but she did have a few grayish-white patches on her belly, legs, and around her eyes. Her ears were a bit taller than usual, but they suited her. Her eyes were this brilliant blue color that seemed to glow. There was also what looked like a gem on her forehead. It was the same blue as her eyes and shone just as bright. Her tail was long and seemed to wrap around her and flowed like her hair did when she was in human form.
Katalina let out a yip as she jumped onto him. She licked his face in joy and excitement.
Damien chuckled and caressed her fur. “You’re so adorable, little dove,” he went to tap her nose, but it seemed that she was in a playful mood as she nipped at his finger before rushing away from him.
Damien grinned and stood up as mischievous thoughts raced through his mind. He quickly took off his clothes and shifted into his wolf, Ranger. Katalina let out a small yip as Damien started stalking her. As he got closer, she took off in a run.
Damien let a wolfish grin spread across his face. His wolf loved the chase. He took off after his feisty little dove, quickly catching up to her.
They played around for a while before ending up back in the clearing. Damien gently pinned her under him and licked her muzzle.
Katalina pawed at his face with a smile. He sat back on his hind legs as she stood up and shook her fur. She walked up to him and nuzzled into him. He laid down and wrapped his body around hers as she yawned. She licked his muzzle before snuggling into him and falling asleep.
Damien kept his body wrapped protectively around hers. Then, before falling asleep, he stayed awake a bit longer to ensure it was safe for his little dove.

The following day Damien woke up to a small tongue licking his face. He slowly blinked his eyes open to see Katalina, still in wolf form, licking and gently pawing at his face. He let out a wolfish chuckle as he turned his head and licked her face.
Katalina yipped in joy and licked his face a couple more times before climbing off of him. Damien looked around and saw the sun rising over the small lake. Then, as he shifted back and put his pants on, he heard a quiet whine from behind him. Katalina had her paws covering her eyes as she laid her head down.
Damien quickly put his clothes back on before kneeling in front of her. “Alright, little dove. It’s time to shift back. So think about your human form. Focus and let the shift flow through your veins.”
Katalina gave him a slight nod before doing as he instructed. Before she knew it, she was in her human form. She squealed as she looked down and found herself naked. “I forgot that we shift back naked,” she muttered.
Damien chuckled as he handed her her clothes. “Lucky for you, little dove,” he said as he pushed her hair out of her face. “Your wolf is small enough that you didn’t shred your clothes when you shifted last night.”
Katalina blushed as she quickly put her clothes back on. “Thank the gods for that,” she whispered as she stood in front of him, now fully clothed.
Damien pulled her close and pressed a firm kiss to her lips. Katalina melted into him, as she always did when he touched her, even in the simplest ways. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Come on, little dove. The others should be awake by now.”
Katalina pouted, not wanting to leave the little oasis of peace they had found, but followed him anyway.