Free.

I can breathe. I take a deep breath, my chest inflating as I take in the scents of the autumn night. Rotting treefall and woodsmoke, cut hay drying the fields nearby, the fear of prey animals as I stalk the darkness.

My teeth are long, my claws are sharp. My eyes glow in the light of the full moon. I spring through the dark woods with ease, teasing my prey, toying with it before I pounce, swallowing it down nearly whole.

I feel the power of the moon pulling at me, molding me. Every moment I bask in her glow I feel myself growing stronger. My muscles tense and swell beneath my thick fur as I stalk the night.

I am prepared. This night will finally be the night. I grin to myself, my voice gutteral as I mutter.

"I've waited for this."

My dark coat blends in with the shadows as I glide through the woods. Silent as the wind itself I follow the acrid scent of woodsmoke along to the back of the run down cabin at the edge of the forest.

I pause at the treeline, thinking about my path. Gliding smoothly as any snake I practically slither along the ground, the damp grass tickling the fur of my tight belly and thick chest. Slipping from bundled haybale to splinter covered table I approach the back of the cabin unseen.

I arrive at the door.

I'm practically drooling in anticipation.

My huge, clawed hand reaches for the tarnished brass doorknob.

Suddenly I find myself blinded by artificial light from within the cabin as the door is flung wide open before me!

I'm hit in the face with a bundle of clothing.

Within seconds I'm human again, my wife cursing and yelling.


"Every month with this, I swear! Now get your damned clothes on and come to bed!"

I sigh, pulling the nightshirt on over my now pitifully human form.

"Y... Yes, love..."

Ah well, there's always next month.