“I’m always ready for a second round.”

Tala said cheekily, making John cough in shock. Chase laughed at his awkwardness and swept his arm out towards the field.

“Alright, you two,” he said to the couple, “let’s try another run. And this time, John?” He smirked as the gamer looked up at him questioningly. “Watch your step. Heard you heal quicker than us, but let’s not test that with a broken ankle, alright?”

John sighed. “I’ll do my best. I’m not that used to running.”

“Then hopefully it won’t be that much of an adjustment to switch to four legs instead of two.” Chase chuckled. “Go on, Tal. Get running.”

The cute teen gave the pack’s trainer a mock salute with a “Yes Sir!” through a fake serious pout, and ran off. Both men shook their heads with a smile before John stretched his legs a little and jogged after her, this time trying to focus on her more like he had focused on Marissa.

He looped around the field keeping up with her easy run. After the second lap, recognizing markings used for different games in the grass, his vision tunneled in on her. The gamer picked up speed, gaining ground until Tala looked back and dug her claws in, pushing harder, ears folded. John matched her speed, surprised he could keep up with the wolf, but staying on her tail. Her scent grew stronger and his stride lengthened. He started gaining ground. The girl’s tail was just outside his reach when movement on the edge of his vision caught John’s attention. He whirled, turning to face the threat and Chase was standing there, hands open and palms forward.

’Was he always so tall?’ John grumbled in annoyance at having to look up even higher to see the man, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end.

“John?” Comfort, softness. Tala’s voice.

He shook his head, trying to refocus. Though the gamer turned to look at the grey wolf, he never fully looked away from the other man in the clearing. She tilted her head at him, ears relaxed, tail moving slowly in cautious friendliness.

“You can hear me?” Her voice came again and John was stunned. His mind took a moment to catch up.

He was eye level with her. Looking into her eyes, looking up at Chase, and he could hear her as if she were speaking even when she was in her wolf form. ’No, this can’t be real…’

Still not a dream, John.

’Okay.’ He started to panic, looking down at himself to see the claws and fur somewhat matching the look of Tala’s wolf form. ’Deep breaths.’ The new lycan stumbled, tripping over his new limbs and both the others stepped forward.

“I know this is probably a bit overwhelming, lad, but just keep calm,” Chase said soothingly. “Nobody here means you any harm. When you’re ready, try taking a few more steps,” he encouraged.

The gamer flexed a few muscles, trying to get a feel for the new form while the other two watched him. Tala sat and kept her thoughts to herself as John took a tentative step forward, finding his balance.

“Good!” Chase was almost too excited and John grumbled, making Tala giggle.

“He’s just trying to be helpful,” she chided. “He’s used to working with children.”

The clumsy wolf huffed and she laughed again. ’Alright, but how do I change back?’

Are you sure you want to?

He ignored that, focusing instead on Tala’s response. “Well,” she paused thoughtfully, “most of us just need to focus on our human form to switch back. That’s how we tend to go back and forth once we’re used to it, but your power is so different, I’m not sure how you’d do it.”

“Looks like you two can communicate pretty well.” The trainer smirked. “I’m guessing you two have already bonded then?”

John watched his partner’s reaction at the man’s words. She seemed… shy? He took another step forward, partially placing himself between the two. ’What’s that mean?’

“I’ll explain it later. It’s a little embarrassing,” she admitted. “For now, do you want to try to change back and see if you can?”

Taking a deep breath, John closed his eyes and tried to focus on the image he had in his head of his human form. He waited like that for what felt like ages, hoping for some kind of confirmation that he’d successfully shifted back. He could hear the two lycans’ heartbeats and the breeze coming through the trees.

Ding!

His eyes flashes open excitedly, only to be annoyed again at the popup he saw.

Nice try mutt.
New quest: Switch back
Learn how to turn back into a Real Boy by the end of the day.
Reward: 468xp, $60.00, bonus gift.
Accept Refuse

The ‘Refuse’ button was greyed out and the new wolf audibly growled as he clicked ‘Accept’.

’Alright then, if the normal way they use won’t work for me, what are you suggesting?’ he barked at the goddess in his head. ’And what the ever loving fuck is a ‘bonus gift’? Pulling more Chester shit on me?’ His claws dug into the soft dirt and his vision blurred red until a cold nose touched his cheek, startling him.

“Hey,” Tala soothed. “I know it’s hard at first. There’s a trick we sometimes use, but give it one more try. You just need to stay calm.” She nuzzled under his chin and he shuddered, tension leaving his shoulders he hadn’t realized he was holding. “There. Now, it’s better to picture your human body, but not really a picture of it. The look isn’t what’s important, but how it feels. The feeling of the wind in your hair or the sun on your skin. The texture of clothes or the way your fingers tingle touching something that excites you.” John’s eyes slid closed, drifting into the images she was spinning in his mind with her voice. Her breath caught a little as she continued, heart beating faster, “The fire of a kiss, or the feeling of your skin against someone else’s. An orgasm…”

A shudder ran down the gamer’s spine as his girlfriend’s hot breath brushed past his ear and his eyes opened again to meet hers. He had to blink a few times before he realized she was smiling at him and holding his hands in her own. ’That… worked?’ He looked them both over, stunned to not see something crazy like a tail or something sticking out and Tala started giggling at his antics.

“You did it! All on your own too!” She laughed.

Forgetting that Chase was there watching, still excited by the talk that got him to shift back, John grabbed the tanned girl around the waist, pulling her tight to him and kissed her.