A sense of ease settled in Doris as she walked out of the woods. She wrapped her cloak tighter around herself as she smiled a little. It was like a hole inside her had been filled more than it had been when she went in. How long had she had that hole? How long had she felt that empty? Now she understood what it was like to feel a bit more complete. Perhaps she had been missing her inner wolf her whole life and she only realized it now.

The villagers were wide awake by the time she’d gotten back. A few royal guards were scattered in the crowds. It...