My head felt woozy, my eyes heavy.

I wasn't sure when it was, where I was, why I was even asleep. With no concept of time nor the energy to care, I just wanted to go back to unconsciousness.

Sighing, I slowly drifted back to sleep, my body exhausted. Why? I don't know. Maybe Asra kept me up all night.

But there was an incessant sound that my mind immediately locked onto. At first, through the haze, I couldn't make out what it was. But then, the more it bloody annoyed me, the more I concentrated until eventually, I was peeling the heavy blackout curtains from my eyes.

Squinting, I rolled over until I found the source of the beeping and smacked it with a curse. Being partially blind by tiredness, I didn't realise I had torn a wire out of a computer, and within a split second, the persistent beeping screamed.

I groaned, falling back into my pillows.

It was a heart monitor.

Why?

Again; I don't know why.

Footsteps scurried across the floor, and I vaguely heard someone chiding me as I lay there, exhausted. The voice was recognisable, as were the firm hands that pressed into my wrist. They were looking for my pulse, and I grunted.

"I'm alive, dammit." I muttered, jerking my hand out of Eve's grip.

"Lu-I mean, Ailia?" Eve spluttered. "Can you open your eyes?"

"No, let me sleep." I murmured.

"It's not bedtime."

"Shush," I complained.

I waved my hand in her general direction, trying to roll over again. Her warm hands pressed into my shoulder, pushing me back down onto my back. I groaned, weakly fighting her off as I lay blind.

"I need you to lie on your back so I can monitor your heart!" She tutted, trying to catch my flailing arms.

"Why?" I grunted, lamely fighting her back. "I'm alive, aren't I? I'm just sleeping!"

"Ailia..." She sighed.

Too weak to protest her further, I sagged into the mattress. Sighing softly, I summoned the gates of heavenly sleep and drifted back into its embrace. It was warm and quiet, and I was grateful when I wandered through my dreams instead.

I was trudging through the forest, down the familiar path that lead to the lake. I was barefoot, much like I used to be growing up. It was a warm sunny spring day, the gentle breeze of wind brushing my hair from my face. Sticks cracked beneath my feet, leaves brushing against my bare calves as I walked in a pretty yellow summer dress.

It was my favourite dress, somehow resurrected from the destruction of Darius and his friend. My palms brushed the fabric, a sense of happiness filling my tummy.

Rounding the corner of the waterfall, I trailed my fingers along the cool rock. It was bumpy, pushing my fingers away, but the waterfall seemed calm today. That meant she was in a good mood.

Coming to a stop at the water's edge, I inhaled the fresh air.

Gosh, I loved spring so much.

Everything was fresh, everything was new. The sun was warm; the skies were clear.

What wasn't to love about new beginnings?

I didn't stop to think why I didn't wear a swimsuit, because soon I was climbing around the waterfall. I launched myself headfirst into the depths of the lake in my dress.

A rush shot down my soul, and I grinned as I resurfaced. The lake's waves pushed me to the shore, and as I crawled out of the water, I gasped for breath. A wide grin lit my face, my lips parted with glee.

My movements were heavy, weighed down by the soaking fabric. It hugged at my curves, latching onto my skin. I had the distinct urge to wring and shake it out.

Sitting at the shoreline, I stared out at the shimmering water. I would jump off again in a moment. I just needed the second to admire the lake. Perhaps have a drink. That sounded pleasant right now.

In a world of my own, I pushed myself onto all fours and bent down at the lake to drink. Only when I was mid-gulp did I pause.

Something wasn't right.

Why was I drinking from the lake?

A lovely as the lake was, drinking from dirty pond water was gross.

I reared back, a disgusted look passing over my face. But then, I caught sight of something, and a scream tore from my throat.

A pair of terrifyingly sharp blue eyes had been staring at me, only for them to widen at my scream. The wolf disappeared as fast as I did, and I eyed the water with alarm.

I thought I was alone.

My head darted around, looking to see if there was anybody else, but... then... I realised something else.

Why did I feel shorter?

Dread shot through me like an icy bolt of lightning. The understanding that something was very wrong screamed at me, and despite the fear, I looked down.

Where once stood two white legs beneath a yellow dress, now stood two furry feet. The paws were large, with claws so sharp it could tear out my intestines. Looking behind me, I found two more, and even a bushy tail. It twitched when I looked at it, and I gulped with fear.

Walking closer to the water once again, I braced myself for what I saw.

Instead of the wet, dark orange hair from the lake, or the pink parted lips as I tried to calm my racing heart, were something else. The same blue eyes as before, only instead of a nose between them, there was a long fox coloured snout.

I blinked, and the wolf blinked back.

My mouth parted, and so did the wolf's.

I shook my head in disbelief. And guess what?

So did the wolf.

A worried cry left my lips, and I quickly stumbled away. Red fur jostled my neck and my arms, heavy paws that scratched at the damp soil.

I was a wolf.

Why was I a wolf?

My fur was a deep sunset colour, like the richest of caramels, the strongest of foxes. I was tall, my legs long and my fur thick across my spine. I tensed, the muscles rippling as I lifted my back legs to look at them.

I felt on edge, wondering who had cursed me with the gift of a wolf, but then a voice carried along the breeze. I tensed, lifting my head to follow the sound. It came from the other end of the lake, opposite the waterfall. I felt the strange ears on my head twitch; the sound growing louder.

Someone was calling me and it sounded an awful lot like...

Flynn stepped through the bushes, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He locked sight of me and his lips curled into a grin.

The voice of my father left his lips as he called my name and I felt my head cock with confusion.

"Ailia! Come inside! It's lunchtime!"

Despite my confusion, my mind blanked, and I ran towards my father. My limbs were smooth, bolting toward him with a wolfish grin. The comfort of home washed over me as I reached him, brushing my side along his knee.

I was smaller, looking up at my father with a broad grin. "Shift back, little wolf."

Without worrying how, I automatically changed and soon was standing on two legs. Dad threw a dress at me, chuckling as I hurried to get it on.

"Dad! Did you see me? I jumped off the rocks!"

"I am sure you did, Spitfire."

Spitfire?

My mind whirled, but before I got a grasp on why, laughter tumbled from my mouth. I linked my small hand with my father's as we walked toward home. I reached his waist, our matching orange hair swaying in the breeze. Mine was cut short, the dampness from the lake sticking it to my neck.

"What's for dinner?" I wondered.

"Try to smell it yourself." Dad chuckled.

My nose twitched as we walked down the path, finding the smell of cheese and tomato. It smelt an awful lot like...

"Lasagne!" I screeched.

Letting go of my father's hand, I ran toward the small house I called home. With barely a time to look at the outside, I was pushing the dark brown door open and running inside.

"Ailia Thorne, you take those stinky feet into the bathroom and clean them!"

I groaned, my shoulders slumping.

"And wash your hands!"

My groan intensified. "Yes, Dad."

Trudging into the bathroom, I muttered annoyances as I washed my entire body in the shower. I was only little, but Dad trusted me enough to let me shower by myself as long as I took no longer than five minutes!

I did it in record time, pulling on a robe before running back into the kitchen.

Dad was muttering to about something, and my grin was broad as I sat at the dining table. I could see the lasagne on the table already, and a big bowl of salad and chips. I wrinkled my nose at the salad, but Dad must've caught me because his laugh trickled over my head.

"You have to eat healthy today, Ailia."

"Lasagne has vegetables!" I shook my head.

He laughed again, plating me some lasagne, chips and salad. I don't want salad! I don't like the weird little tomato balls. They were squashy and gross!

"Eat." He stated.

I frowned, but picked up my fork and stabbed it into the lasagne, only for it to fall from my fork.

"Da-ad! Can you cut it up, please?"

"Ailia, you are five years old." Dad chided, sitting opposite me, and I pouted. "Fine, baby, but you do it next time."

Dad leaned over me, the smell of pine falling from his clothes. Giggling, I waited for him to finish and when he did, shoved the largest piece of cheesiness into my mouth.

"So tasty!"

"Thank you, Ailia!" He chimed.

"Daddy, when I grow up, I want to cook as good as you!" I grinned through a mouthful. "I want to be a seth!"

"A chef, Spitfire." Dad chuckled.

"That's what I said!" I rolled my eyes.

Dad was staring at me weirdly, but he was smiling. "You can be whatever you want, Ailia. But you have to remember-

"I know, I know." I interrupted him. "When I grow up, I have to be strong! But I already am so strong! Nobody else has a wolfie!"

"I have a wolfie." Dad smirked.

"Yeah, but yours is an old wolfie." I shook my head. "Old man wolfie."

"Ailia!" He gasped, and I giggled. "Eat your food."

With a broad grin, I continued to eat, enjoying the cheese whilst it lasted. Tomorrow, I would show Dad just how strong I was, then he could let me be a chef! I was already strong, so I didn't need to go to work or any training. That looked annoying.

After dinner, Dad forced me to bed and, with a groan, I got dressed.

"Tomorrow, you and old wolfie can go swimming again." Dad whispered.

"Really?" My eyes widened.

"Yes, Spitfire. I promise." He chuckled, kissing my nose. "Now get some sleep."

I cheered, rolling over and squeezing my eyes shut. Maybe if I tried really hard, I could fall asleep super-fast, and that means tomorrow comes! There's no tomorrow if you don't sleep!

Dad chuckled as he shut my door, sleep fogging my mind. "Goodnight, Spitfire."

I shot awake, my body lurching as I gasped for air. The surrounding monitors screamed a wild banshee battle I couldn't control. I was sweating, confused, and no longer blind.

Where was I?

Something slammed open, and my head spun at the sound. Still breathing heavily, I felt my chest sag at the sight of my mate. Asra was already holding me before I even had the chance to cry his name, wrapping me in his embrace.

Asra was hushing me, one arm gripping my waist as the other held onto the back of my head. He pressed my face into his skin as I gasped for breath, his chest rumbling. I displeased him. I had upset him. I could feel his agitation so strongly, and his smell...

My nose ran along his skin as I inhaled, and my sense came alive with the notion. What once had been a fresh scent of musk and sandalwood smelt even deeper. Every scent wafted through my nose. Each wave of its once porous ambiguity was tangible. It was intense, warming up my insides and calming my racing heart. It wrapped around it, squeezing my lungs until I felt...secure.

"You okay?" Asra mumbled, his voice echoing in my ears.

Feeling out of it, and high off his smell, I leaned out of his throat to peer up at him. His eyes widened a little, but he stared down at me with the same ounce of concern as before. Scanning my face, I stayed sat in his lap as I tried to figure out what the fuck had just happened.

"What is it, Ailia?" He wondered.

His eyes were so mesmerising. So fucking blue. I never noticed the depth of colour that swam within them. The dark blue circle surrounding his eyes, or the tiny silver flecks amongst the iris. His textured pupils expanded as his chest rose, before shrinking back down when he blinked.

My throat felt dry. I must've been sleeping with my mouth open.

Or perhaps it was the shock.

Everything was so vivid.

Shaking my head, I squeezed my eyes shut before meeting his gaze.

"Ailia..."

"Where am I?" I wondered.

"In bed."

I looked around, nodding with confirmation. "Who am I?"

"Ailia." He frowned.

"Am I?" I whispered.

"What's wrong, Ailia?" He cocked his head.

Why did he keep saying my birth name?

I frowned, shaking my head. "Asra, I don't think I am who I think I am."