Chapter 286: Episode 286.

Aire let out another broken cry. Her body convulsed.

Alaric’s grip tightened around her hand. He could feel his own wolf stirring.

It had been restless since Aire’s magic had brought him back. He had tried to ignore it, especially while his body was still recovering.

But now it was impossible.

His wolf was responding to hers.

Alaric looked at Xander, and Nate. "I need to shift." He warned.

Xander glanced at him. "Alaric, you’re not fully recovered."

"You’ve barely regained your strength." Nate added.

His eyes returned to Aire. "She needs to see me." His neck twisted, and quickly returned to normal. "She might need my wolf."

Xander studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then take it slowly."

Alaric released Aire’s hand only long enough to shift his position. He moved back a little, giving himself room.

His body began to change.

Unlike Aire’s slow painful movements, his transformation was almost quick, and deliberate.

His fingers curled against the rug.

His shoulders broadened, and his breathing deepened as his wolf pushed forward. He lowered his head, allowing the change to move through him gradually.

There was a faint crackling sound as his bones shifted.

He gritted his teeth.

His recovery had taken much of his strength, and shifting demanded more of him than he wanted to admit.

Nate looked at him. "Alaric, don’t force it." Rare concern laced the edge of his voice.

"I’m not."

But his voice was already changing.

Xander remained beside Aire, keeping her supported.

Alaric’s transformation continued.

His brown fur emerged first, spreading across his arms and shoulders. His face shifted, his jaw lengthening as his wolf took shape.

He paused once, breathing heavily. Then he continued. A moment later, a large brown wolf stood where the prince had been.

He lowered himself onto his front paws, breathing through the last of the strain.

Nate looked between him and Aire.

The wolf turned his head.

His eyes were unmistakably Alaric’s.

He moved closer, carefully lowering himself beside Aire.

She stared at him. Even through the pain, confusion, and relief crossed her face.

He nudged her hand.

Aire’s fingers trembled against his fur. He stayed still, allowing her to touch him. A small sob escaped her.

The wolf pressed his head against her palm.

She looked at Xander.

Another wave of pain seized her.

Alaric rose slightly, his ears lowering.

Xander caught Aire as she folded forward.

"Almost there," he murmured.

Her breathing became ragged. The silver light around her intensified. It spread across the rug, illuminating the faces of everyone gathered around her.

Aire felt something inside her give way. The pain surged through her one final time.

Then the room went quiet.

For a few seconds, there was no movement. No sound except the fire.

Xander looked down. "Aire?"

Something small shifted beneath his arm.

He slowly moved back.

A silver wolf lay curled on the rug.

Its fur was unlike anything they had ever seen. Every strand seemed to hold a faint light, silver and almost white beneath the glow of the room.

Its body was small, but not so small. Its paws were tucked beneath its chest, and its sides moved with quick, uneven breaths.

Nate stared.

He didn’t speak.

Xander’s mouth parted slightly.

The little creature lifted its head. Sea blue eyes looked back at them.

Nate lowered himself onto both knees. "Oh, Aire."

The little wolf blinked. She looked at him, then at Xander. Her ears moved uncertainly.

She seemed confused by the unfamiliar size of the room, by the people surrounding her, and perhaps even by the body she now occupied.

Alaric approached.

The silver wolf immediately turned towards him.

He lowered his head.

For a moment, the two wolves simply looked at each other. Then Alaric gently touched his nose to hers.

The little wolf gave a small, uncertain sound.

Alaric remained close.

Nate’s eyes glistened. "She’s beautiful."

Xander let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for several minutes. "She is."

The silver wolf shifted her paws, attempting to stand.

Her legs wobbled.

She almost fell.

Alaric moved immediately, placing himself beside her.

She leaned against his shoulder.

He didn’t move away.

Nate reached out slowly, stopping before his fingers touched her fur. "Can I?"

The little wolf looked at his hand. Then, after a moment, she moved closer.

Nate gently stroked the top of her head. His expression softened, as if he might cry.

The wolf closed her eyes briefly.

Xander crouched beside them. "Look at you."

The little wolf turned towards him.

He smiled. "I knew you were stubborn, but I didn’t know you were hiding an entire wolf from us."

Nate gave a quiet laugh through his emotion.

Alaric nudged her gently. He lowered his body to the rug, making himself smaller beside her. She stepped closer and pressed herself against his side.

He curled one foreleg around her.

Alaric remained still until Aire had settled against him. Then he lifted his head and looked at Xanden.

He stepped away from them, giving Nate a brief glance before moving towards the centre of the room. His body began to change, the shift moving through him with practised ease.

A moment later, a huge black wolf stood where the Xander had been. He glanced at Aire, then at Nate.

Nate moved a little farther away before shifting. Grey fur spread across his body, and his limbs changed beneath him. Within moments, a large grey wolf stood in his place.

Aire watched them.

Her head tilted slightly.

She was still getting used to the way everything looked. The furniture seemed larger, the room unfamiliar. Even the people she knew looked different now.

She tried to lift herself. Her front paws moved, but her hind legs trembled beneath her.

Alaric immediately pressed his shoulder against her side. Nate and Xender lowered themselves onto the rug, close together.

Xanden stretched out first, his thick black fur spreading across the floor. Nate settled beside him, his grey coat brushing against the other wolf’s. They adjusted their positions, creating a small hollow between their bodies.

A bed.

A warm place where Aire could lie without having to move too far.

She glanced at the space, then at the two wolves. She took a hesitant step.

Her legs wobbled again, and she leaned against him. He moved slowly, guiding her towards the bed they had made.

When she reached it, she lowered herself carefully. Her small body sank into the thick fur.

For the first time since the transformation began, she seemed to relax.

Nate lifted his head and gave her a gentle nudge. She turned towards him. He made a soft sound, almost a greeting.

Aire blinked, then pressed her nose briefly against his muzzle.

Xanden watched them, his black ears shifting.

Alaric lowered himself beside her, keeping close enough that she could feel his warmth. Aire moved until her body rested against his side.

Her eyes began to droop.

She was exhausted.

The pain had taken almost everything out of her, and even the effort of keeping her head raised was becoming difficult.

Nate shifted slightly, drawing his body closer to hers. Xanden did the same on the other side, their thick coats forming a warm barrier around her.