The Howl of new beginnings

Maya sat squished between her parents in a sea of gowns and caps, the vibrant colors swirling around her like a kaleidoscope of emotions. At nineteen, she felt every bit the naive young girl desperate to escape the constraints of her small-town existence. The stage was set for graduation, a grand celebration of achievement that had her feeling less like a star and more like a prop, lost amidst the festivities. If only she could have traded this day for her dream: exploring the winding streets of Berlin, standing beneath the magnificent Kurfürstendamm, or reveling in the art of Frankfurt.

"Can you please try to look a little excited?" muttered Meral, her slightly infuriating elder sister, sitting on her other side. Meral's sleek blonde hair glinted under the bright lights, making her look like some sort of majestic crowned wolf. "You're graduating, for crying out loud!"

Maya stifled a yawn, her eyelids heavy as the first speaker an overly enthusiastic wolf with a penchant for motivational speeches began to drone on about "the relentless pursuit of dreams." It felt more like an audition for the world's worst podcast than a memorable ceremony. She shifted in her seat, trying to distract herself, not just from the speaker but also from the thoughts of what awaited her at home: a mood as bubbly as soda and just as sticky thanks to Meral's endless excitement.

"Don't you think it's romantic?" Delbee piped up, nudging Maya playfully. Her best friend, a hopeless romantic, seemed completely absorbed by the mushy speeches. "I mean, everyone's talking about finding their mates and how this is just the beginning of their epic love stories!"

Maya shot her a look. "The only epic love story I want is my own, between me and a suitcase full of European souvenirs preferably in Paris, thank you very much."

Delbee laughed, the sound bright and free, while Meral turned to Maya and raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow. "Oh, come on! You can't be serious. This is a time for nostalgia! For saying goodbye to the past!"

Maya tried hard not to roll her eyes. As she watched the smitten wolves practically swoon over each other in between speeches, it hit her hard how not interested she was in the whole 'forever part' right now. Right now, she was just interested in the thrill of possibility. She wanted to find her own way in the world.

The next speaker, a charismatic graduate with a jawline so sharp it could slice through the tension in the air, took the podium. Maya squinted a little, trying to decipher whether she found him inspiring or just painfully handsome. He spoke about taking risks, stepping into the unknown, and making a name for oneself. As his passionate words washed over the crowd, Maya felt the stirrings of a familiar restlessness.

"I wonder," she whispered to Delbee, "if he knows about the incredible coffee shops lined with willow trees in Germany or the charming little bookstores waiting to be explored on every corner?"

"Focus, Maya!" Delbee said playfully, nudging her again. But inside, Maya was visiting street markets in Cologne and sipping espresso while staring at the Sunset. Each dream felt more tangible than the stage she sat on.

As the ceremony dragged on, complete with more speeches and endless applause, Maya began to allow herself to visualize stepping into her future. The thought fluttered through her mind, sometimes like a sweet song and other times like an irritating fly she wished would buzz off.

Finally, after what felt like hours, their names were called. Each graduate took center stage, receiving their diplomas like keys to a new world. When Maya walked across that stage, something magical began to shift within her. She held her head high, suppressing the wave of nerves that threatened to swallow her whole. And as she turned to face her family, her heart raced with excitement this was it. This was her moment.

"Go, Maya!" Meral shouted, echoing amongst the cheers. The energy from the crowd surged through her, wrapping her in a sense of belonging, even if she felt trapped in her small-town cage at the same time.

Maya's best friend, Delbee, bounced with enthusiasm, and suddenly, between the cheers, a thought broke through the haze. What if, instead of longing for another place, she created her own new beginning right here?

The world was far too vast to spend it wishing for something else when adventure lingered in every corner, even in her mundane hometown.

As she stepped down from the stage, clutching her diploma, Maya realized that she didn't just want to escape; she wanted to conquer, to explore every possibility life had to offer. She might not have the Eiffel Tower right in front of her, but this moment felt a bit like that the anticipation before a leap, the breath before the plunge.

The ceremony concluded, the graduates released into the wild, cheering and celebrating, and in an instant, the world felt both overwhelming and exhilarating.

Maya found herself swept up in a wave of familiar faces, hugs, and excited chatter, but it was the chatter about future plans that felt like an uninvited weight on her shoulders.

"So, what are you going to do now, Maya?" asked one classmate, an eager smile plastered on her face. "Are you going to college, join the pack, or maybe travel?"

Maya opened her mouth, but all that came out was a soft, noncommittal "Hmm..."

"Come on, you have to have something in mind!" another friend chimed in, and suddenly the questions came from all directions, each inquiry feeling like a reminder that she was supposed to have her life figured out just because she'd graduated.

But the truth was, she hadn't settled on a plan, and the thought of being caught in a predefined path made her skin crawl. She glanced around at the chaos of celebration: families taking photographs, the scent of barbeque wafting from the food truck nearby, and laughter spilling into the summer air like joyful confetti. All around her, people had their futures mapped out as if they were staring at neatly drawn lines on a geography map, while she stood at the edge of an endless ocean.

"Maya!" Meral's booming voice cut through her thoughts. Maya turned to see her sister, beaming with excitement, her arms wrapped around their parents. "We've got a surprise for you!"

Maya raised an eyebrow, curiosity replacing her earlier anxiety. Her parents polished their proud smiles as Meral produced a beautifully wrapped box adorned with a pastel bow, handing it triumphantly to her.

"Open it!" Delbee urged, bouncing on her toes with infectious enthusiasm.

Meral watched wide-eyed, just as excited as Delbee.

Maya slowly unwrapped the gift, revealing a stunning leather journal embossed with delicate swirling designs. The moment she opened it, the pages whispered promises of adventures yet to be penned a blank canvas primed for her explorations.

"It's gorgeous! Thank you!" Maya exclaimed, her heart swelling with gratitude. It was a reminder that stories weren't just waiting in distant lands; they were waiting to be written, right here, wherever she chose to go.

Her mother stepped forward, a gentle smile gracing her features. "We thought it would be the perfect gift for you. We know how much you love to capture your thoughts and dreams. This is a place for you to explore those ideas, whether you decide to travel or to stay here and create something amazing."

Maya felt the weight of her parents' belief in her settle like a warm blanket around her shoulders. She glanced around again, this time catching the glint of hope in Delbee's eyes, the sparkle of possibilities reflected back at her. A flicker of excitement ignited in her heart, pushing away the lingering uncertainty.

"Thank you for always believing in me," Maya said, her voice a little shaky with emotion. "I really appreciate it."

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the celebration, Maya slipped away from the crowd, seeking solace in the quiet sanctuary of her room.

The familiar scent of her floral-scented candles and the warmth of her soft bed welcomed her like an old friend. She flopped onto her mattress, sighing contentedly. As she lay there, she began to visualize her upcoming trip the cobblestone streets of Paris, the vibrant art in Florence, the majestic landscapes of the Alps, and those little moments she hoped to capture in her heart (and with her camera).

"Just seven more days..." she murmured softly, staring at the ceiling as if it held all the answers she needed.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her daydream. It was a message from Delbee: "Congrats again! Can't wait to hear about your adventures in Europe! Make sure to take TONS of pictures!" Maya replied with a quick thumbs up emoji, then placed her phone down and turned on her side, letting her thoughts drift. It was time to focus on what truly mattered her desires and dreams. She refused to let the pressure of societal expectations weigh her down like a ball and chain.

Back in the living room, she could hear Meral and her parents talking enthusiastically about summer plans and college orientations, their laughter ringing through the house like music. Maya felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with anxiety. She admired the warmth of her family, but the thought of embarking on the next stage of her life felt daunting. She pushed herself up from the bed and took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was also her moment to embrace.

With a flick of her wrist, she grabbed her laptop and opened a travel blog she had bookmarked. Beautiful photographs and captivating stories of wanderlust filled the screen, and for the first time that day, she felt a bubble of excitement brewing in her stomach. The sights she longed to see weren't just destinations each one held potential adventure, learning experiences, and new friendships.

Suddenly, an idea struck her like lightning. She began typing furiously, crafting a checklist. A planner at heart, she knew that organization would help calm her nerves. As she scribbled down a list of places she wanted to visit like the Louvre, the Colosseum, and the pristine lakes of Switzerland she could feel the tension in her chest beginning to loosen, inch by inch.

"Oh, and don't forget to pack the essentials!" she mumbled to herself, going through each important item she would need for her journey. Her mind danced with dreams of sipping coffee at a café in Berlin, sketching out the Spree River in her travel journal, and indulging in gelato while wandering the streets of Frankfurt.

Her thoughts then drifted back to Delbee. She felt grateful to have a friend who understood her passion for adventure and exploration. They would often spend hours daydreaming about distant places and sharing what they would do if they could get away now, that dream was about to become a reality.

Pushing aside her worries about starting a new job or the responsibilities that awaited her after her trip, she made a note to call Delbee later to go over their travel plans together. They had already discussed exploring together someday, and now it felt like a mission they were both excited to embark on.

After a few moments of blissful anticipation, Maya glanced at the clock. It was time to reintegrate into the family gathering. She wanted to share her excitement with her loved ones, who were just as eager to celebrate her graduation.

Draping a light cardigan over her shoulders, she made her way back to the living room, where the air hummed with chatter and joviality. "Hey, everyone!" she called, a bright smile spreading across her face. The warmth of the gathering surrounded her like a soft embrace, and she felt her earlier anxieties dissipate like fog in the morning sun.

"Maya!" her mother, a fierce werewolf matriarch with kind eyes, smiled and beckoned her over. "We were just talking about your graduation! Come join us!"

As she sank into the comfortable couch, she was greeted by the familiar faces of her family, each one glowing with pride. Their laughter echoed in the room, but it was the stories about her journey the challenges she'd overcome and the dreams she aimed to pursue that filled her with a renewed sense of purpose.

"Have you thought about where you'll go first?" Jade asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief but betraying a genuine curiosity. He always had a knack for getting right to the heart of the matter, and she appreciated that about him.

"I've been thinking about Europe maybe Germany first," she replied, lightheartedly. "I can already imagine myself standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, sketchbook in hand, capturing everything."

"Germany? Truly?" her little brother Logan squeaked, bouncing in his seat as if he were the one going on an adventure. "Can we come with you? What if we ran wild in the streets, howling at the moon? They'd never know we were werewolves!"

Everyone chuckled, and Maya looked at him fondly. "You know that's not how it works, right? Each country has its own rules."

Her mother laughed, ruffling Logan's hair. "We might have to keep our true identities hidden, but imagine the stories we could swap when you come back!"

In that moment, as her family celebrated together, Maya realized this was a gift wrapped in unity. The adventure that awaited her would not tear them apart, but rather, weave new stories into their family tapestry. She could envision herself returning home with tales of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and friendships harvested from distant lands.

"Speaking of stories," her dad chimed in, "I have a few wild ones from our last pack retreat to share! You won't believe what happened with the old shack in the woods..."

as adventures would in lands far away. Maya couldn't help but smile as her father animatedly gestured to underscore his points. That's when she noticed, hidden amongst the laughter, a sense of underlying tension in the air something she could only attribute to the recent whispers in their werewolf community.

It wasn't just the exhilarating sense of freedom that awaited her; there were darker clouds looming as well. The pack had faced various challenges lately, and the stories of rogue wolves lurking beyond their territory were becoming more prevalent. As they gathered around, Maya found herself thinking of these threats, but she shook the thoughts away. Tonight was for joy and celebration.

"Dad, tell us about the time you and Uncle Finn thought you could hunt the dreaded " her mother pretended to shiver dramatically, "Bigfoot!"

The living room erupted in laughter as her dad began recounting a tale of wild escapades and blunders during one of their camping trips that had gone awry. His storytelling was seasoned with a healthy dose of humor, allowing Maya to relish the comfort of her family's laughter while wrapping herself more tightly in the warmth of their bond.

The night wore on, filled with anecdotes from her aunts and cousins, each one showcasing a blend of human quirks and wolfish traits that made their pack uniquely special. Each laugh seemed to echo through her; she felt an unwavering resolve building inside her that she wanted to take forth on her adventure.

Eventually, the conversation shifted when her older sister, Meral, leaned in. "Maya," she said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "When you travel, be careful. There are pockets of rogue werewolves out there, and it's important you're not just physically prepared but also take precautions especially if you're traveling alone."

Maya nodded, acknowledging that the world wasn't the same as it had been. "I will, I promise," she replied, feeling the weight of her family's concern. She remembered the tales those who had strayed too close to rogue territory never returned. "I'll check in regularly. As her family discussed the possibility, formulating the details of the potential journey filled the room with excitement. They mapped out routes, made lists of supplies, and even brainstormed safety protocols. The more they spoke of it, the more Maya felt her future unfolding, filled with opportunities to grow, connect, and maybe even contribute toward a better understanding among werewolves.

Finally, after many plans were laid out, her father spoke again, "Just know that we trust you, Maya. You've shown nothing but responsibility and bravery qualities that are vital on this journey. Don't hesitate to ask for help whenever you need. We're here for you."

Maya's heart swelled with love and gratitude for her family