The Howl
The next day Nova had Chemistry class, US History, PE, and then Photography after lunch. She had one or two of the new students in each of the classes. It was a good normal day once more, but she was still very happy to go on a run in the evening after she had finished all her normal online school work. The rest of the week passed just as swiftly and Nova never ran into, sat next to, or spoke to any of the new kids. The strange smell remained a mystery.
'Finally, it is Saturday!!' Nova exclaimed to Dawn, 'No having to sit through classes, I finished all my work so I don't have to do any of that either. We can literally spend all day chilling and running.'
'Yay! Let's watch a cop show first!' Dawn responded excitedly.
Nova rolled her eyes as she teased, 'You and your cop shows.'
'Hey! You like them as well!' Dawn defended.
'I know and that is why you got addicted to them,' Nova laughed as she turned the tv on and turned on Criminal Minds. The day flew by as Nova binge-watched Criminal Minds. Eventually, her rumbling stomach sent her downstairs to eat something. No one was home, so she decided to warm up two chimichangas.
They were really good, especially when you mix them with sour cream and tomatoes and lettuce. A beautiful dinner, but soon Nova was racing outside and jumping the back fence. She could use the gate, but it was so much faster to jump/climb over the gate instead. She moved into the woods and quickly stripped and shifted.
She stretched her legs and back as soon as she had shifted and then was charging through the woods. There was only one place she wanted to go tonight and that was her waterfall. Nova hadn't been in a while, but it was a beautiful night. Her wolf form easily glided across the ground and, before long, she stopped on top of the cliff.
To her left, the bright lights of the city shined brightly while the stars glittered above her. The waxing gibbous moon was shining brightly in the night sky as well. It was about 4 days before the new moon and Nova couldn't wait. The full moon was a beautiful time and she had discovered that she actually felt a bit stronger on that night. It must be a werewolf thing she didn't quite understand, but she still loved the full moon.
The lights were being reflected in the lake below and Nova felt so happy. She threw her head back and howled. In her howl was her celebration of the joy and peace in the night. The local wolves joined into her howl. It was normal for them to do, but it was cool.
She paused her howl and just listened and breathed for a moment. The pack's howls quieted and the night's silence returned. She reared her head back once more and released another powerful howl. This time the pack didn't respond, but another wolf did.
Both Nova and Dawn perked up at the response. The call wasn't from one of the normal wolves, it sounded stronger and... familiar. Nova stopped howling and she listened, in a way it sounded like it was yearning for something. A part of her wanted to run to the call and discover who it was, but the other part of her was scared.
'Dawn, why do I want to run toward the sound?' Nova nervously asked as her weight shifted between her feet.
'I don't know, but I feel attracted to it as well,' Dawn responded uncertainly. Nova was nervous and she realized that the other wolf may be running her way and suddenly she didn't want to figure out who it was just yet. She turned and ran.
Her feet carried her back home and Dawn whined. 'What is wrong Dawn?' Nova asked her.
'I don't know, but I feel like we are going the wrong way.' Dawn said dejectedly. Nova slowed down slightly and she caught the smell of something sweet. It reminded her of the smell from the cafeteria. She was uncertain why that smell would be all the way out there in the woods, but her nerves sent her running once more away and back toward home.
Dawn whined a bit more, but soon the thrill of the run made both of them feel better. Soon they made it to the house, shifted, and headed in. Just before she shut the door another howl split through the air. Nova could tell that it was the same who answered her the first time. It was full of yearning again but sadness was also detectable this time. A small pain stung her heart as she listened to the howl.
It went quiet and she shut the door turning around as felt something wet tickling her cheek. She reached up and felt something wet. "Why am I crying?" Nova whispered out with narrowed eyes. She felt really tired so she went straight to bed, but as she laid down her thoughts went back to the howl. Who was it? Why did the voice call to her so much?