I step out of the clearing, the frosted grass crackling beneath my paws. In front of me lays The Pond, a sacred meeting place among my kind. It’s really more of a small lake, but no one ever mentions that. It’s been called The Pond as long anyone can remember.

The Pond holds a reflection of the night sky on it’s frozen surface. I can see every star and constellation without ever having to look up. But I do look up, my muzzle pointed towards the sky, and see the full moon hanging almost directly above the clearing.

I’m early then. The meeting isn’t supposed to start until the full moon is directly above the center of The Pond.

I hear a sound and I quickly turn my head to see behind me. I relax as I see my brother emerge from the trees, an annoyed look on his face.

“Really?” He asks, glaring at me. “I come here 5 minutes early and I’m 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 later you?”

I grin. Then I hear multiples sounds coming from the forest, and apparently so does Lyall judging from how fast he turns around. As we watch, we see multiple shapes come into focus.

Soon, The Pond is surrounded by dozens of wolf shifters, all come for the winter solstice. I look up and see the moon has reached the middle of the clearing, dead center above the pond.

The meeting has begun.