CHAPTER 3

YLVA

As I reach Nesaia and Selene, I notice that Selene eyes me with regard. "Are you okay, Ylva?"

I force a smile with my blue eyes. Shifting my shoulders back, I eye them both. "Yeah, I'll be okay. Just a minor headache and some body aches."

I don't like being a werewolf, so I fight my nature. For this reason, fighting the first shift causes me more pain than most werewolves and shifters. I often try to go over a week without shifting, but my wolf won't let me.

Shifting varies for each individual and creature, yet all have one similarity. That being, if you don't shift for an extended amount of time, you age. If you continually shift, you pause the aging process.

Most halt their aging because they want to or their animal side insists that they are set free. That cage being their human body. Most have to shift once a week or once a month, depending on what they are.

"Would you want to come with us?" Selene offers me.

Scratching my head, I debate for a moment. "Where are you going?"

Selene gestures as she talks. "To the stables. We're planning on going for a ride to one of the ponds."

I glance down at my muddy feet and hands. They're caked with dirt from my run through the rain last night. "I suppose I could take a dip to clean myself up."

Selene gives me a reassuring smile. "All right, let's go then. I'm glad you're doing okay, Ylva."

At the castle, we don't usually bat an eye at someone being in their nude forms because it's a regular occurrence here.

I smile weakly at Selene as we make our way to the stables.

We pass by the wooden fences that surround the stables. They've placed fences on the castle grounds to prevent animals from straying too far. As we approach, the large stable comes into view as the spires rise from the roof. 

As we walk through the tall entrance of the stables, light filters in from the windows in each stall. When my feet touch the warm floors, a contented sigh escapes my mouth. The stables are equipped with in-floor hydroponic heating to keep the equine warm.

In-floor hydroponic heating is also placed throughout the newer parts of the castle. They help to warm up the cold stone and it's more energy efficient than electricity.

My muddy feet pick up the stray pieces of upswept hay. Picking up each foot, I pluck them off and throw the strands into the stalls through the large stall doors. 

Lights hang from the strong beams overhead to light the stables.

I watch Selene runs her hand over the wooden paneling of the stalls. A look falls upon her face. One that tells me she's thinking of something. Usually memories. The smile playing on her lips tell me they're positive.

Scratching her head, I ask her, "What are you thinking about, Selene?"

She answers without turning her head toward me. She continues staring at the dark grains beneath her fingertips. "I've always loved the warm feel of these stables."

Nesaia's eyes widen with curiosity. "Is that why you have a lot of dark hued decorations at the castle?"

She looks at us, walking closer. "It is. There is something comforting about dark hues, like a warm drink in the fall. It's soothing somehow. It makes me feel safe and calm, just like how the bright rooms make me feel energetic."

"I do like spending time in them for the same reasons," I concur. A small shiver passes over my skin as a small breeze flows through the stables.

"Do you want me to fetch you some clothes?" Selene offers, noticing my chill.

We store clothing in the stables for shifters should they want to get dressed after shifting. Shifters continuously tear up their clothing while in transition. So, Mason and Selene made it a rule to stash clothing throughout the castle. You can find them in closets, hidden compartments, and on shelves. However, it's more convenient for shifters to stay in their birthday suits.

I run a hand over my blonde hair. "No, that's quite alright. I'm fine."

Nesaia peers into one of the stalls. "Even though this building is dark, I like how the stalls are painted to relate to the species of horse." She opens the door and straightens the water bucket before closing it back.

The stables house many of the property's horses. At least those that tend to stay in horse or horse-like form most of the time. Those who shift between horse and human have the option of staying in the castle, the stables, or near the water.

Some of the horse-like creatures that stay in the stables are Pegasus and unicorns. The unicorn stalls are painted rainbow. While the Pegasus stalls are painted with sky blue and fluffy white clouds.

To rest, I take a seat upon a rectangular haystack. I lean back against the wooden wall and watch the others.

While the others look at the horses currently available. Selene heads over to the office and then into the storage area to retrieve riding gear. A few moments later, Selene pokes her head out to the stable's hallway. "Ylva! Are you planning on riding a horse or running in your wolf form?"

This garners my attention from the hay I'm pushing around with my toes. "Wolf, since I've changed recently."

Her focus then shifts to Nesaia. "Nesaia?"

"I'll be riding, Selene," she says as she pets a horse's head through a stall door.

Giving her the answers needed, Selene returns to what she was doing. She grabs two sets of riding gear, one for Nesaia and one for herself. Carrying the saddles as if they weigh nothing, she brings them over to where we're standing. She places them on the ground and retrieves the rest of the gear like bridals, bits, and reins.

I see that Nesaia has chosen to ride Spearmond, so I go assist her with attaching the gear.

Once finished, Selene peruses the horses available. She looks through the black barred stable doors with wooden bottoms. Most are asleep right now.

I see Shining, wide awake and wanting attention. Selene places her arm through the bars and rubs his nose. He neighs in response and snorts to get out. She steps back and swings the stall door open, letting him out. He trots out with his fierce form and rubs up against her in appreciation.

"Hey, Shine, how's it going?" He bobs his head, letting her know he's doing well.

Shining is one of the unicorns here that is different from the others. He stays in unicorn form and doesn't have a horn twenty-four-seven. His horn retracts into his forehead like a beam turning off. When he uses his powers, he glows a brilliant neon blue. Hence, the name Shining. The rest of the time, his eyes and the diamond where his horn protrudes, glows neon.

He follows her over to where his gear is laying on the ground. She lifts up the saddle and gear, professionally placing them on him. Once finished, Selene returns to the office within the stables. She signs out the two horses so others know where they went. 

Once outside the stables, they prepare to mount the horses. Selene mounts Shining's white-gray, muscular body. She grips onto his pure white mane that matches his tail. Shining stomps his turquoise-blue, neon hoof into the ground, eager to run.

She pats his hide and whispers, "I know, we're getting ready." He looks back at her with his glowing, turquoise-blue eyes before facing ahead.

I let out whimpers as I subconsciously try to fight the change. My wolf wants out, but I want to keep it at bay. Eventually, it wins. Pushing to my feet, I stretch my body before shifting into my white werewolf form before them.

Selene looks at me with concern. She's told me that she feels for me each time I shift.

My bones crack, skin stretches, and fur sprouts across my body. I stretch out my wolf limbs before shaking off the hay that lodged in my fur. With each breath, the scent of grass, hay, and horses fills my nostrils.

One of the downsides to be a shifter is the pain the body goes through while changing. Thankfully, for most, the pain lessens over time.