I was ready to take on the world, and I desperately needed to shift into my true self. Baran didn’t have to know. After a sleepless night filled with thoughts of Grey, I was ready to reconnect to Old Mother in the forest and start listening to all of her creatures and memorize their scents, their way of life. And I would be able to spy on Grey. I yearned to see him again.I knew it was unnatural to be so obsessed with a human or any man, for that matter, but I felt something different with Grey.I dressed quickly in my leather skirt, tie-top, and boots and ran downstairs. My stomach protested as I passed the kitchen. I was starving, but bland, stale meat wouldn’t do. I wanted warm flesh. I would have to avoid humans and livestock on my way to the falls because my restraint was wearing thin.I carefully smelled the air, but Baran’s sent was already fading. The city wasn’t awake to see my escape, but the animals were stirring for their breakfast and mine. My mouth watered at the thought of eating.
