Wing by Lorraine Lin

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“AAAAAAAh!”

A chorus of squeals filled the boudoir as I stepped out from behind the folding screen, the wedding dress glittering as it came into the light.

“Our Wing!”

“Look at you!”

“You’re so beautiful!”

I took a deep breath and bashfully rolled my eyes the other way as Alice rushed in first for a group hug, then the other girls followed. Softness and fluffy wagging tails covered me. There was a deft smack to my butt.

“Ow! Who did that?” I snapped at a roar of giggles, but no one confessed.

“Girls.” A sterner voice commanded, parting the sea of fur.

“You’re going to get all dirty right before the wedding. The corset should be tighter.”

“Mom, it’s fine.”

“Look at this.” She fussed, fixing my hair, straightening the sleeves, patting out imperfections that no one else would notice.

“Mom, I’m not a kit anymore.” If anything, the ensemble felt incomplete without my sword.

She gently but firmly started grabbing my tails through the skirt and yanking them down. “It’s bad enough you don’t hide these like the rest of the village. Stop holding them so high, do you want everyone watching to think you’re a prostitute?” The girls lost their shit. “Your white fur already makes you look naked—”

“Mom!” Whirling around to pull all nine tails out of her reach, I grabbed her shoulders and tugged her to face me. My tone softened as I saw the tears at the corners of her eyes. I leaned in for a gentle hug. “I’m ready.”

There was a quick rapping at the door. “Places everyone!”