Freedom.

Finally, she tasted freedom.

Her legs couldn't stop as she climbed the fence at the edge of the garden. It was the closest barrier to the world beyond the castle she was forced to call home. She didn't want it any longer. She never wanted to begin with, in truth. Her heart always ached to be somewhere else, exploring the world, doing anything but being trapped in that place and forced to learn to be a lady. The daughter of the king had certain expectations thrust upon her. Especially when she was the only child. But she was being suffocated by her parents. She had been getting ready to marry a prince her parents picked for her.

But no more.

She felt like she was running for hours by the time her legs finally collapsed beneath her. Deep in some forest she knew was still part of her kingdom. But she needed to rest. Leaning up against a rather large tree, she closed her eyes for a short rest.

---

When her eyes opened next, she could tell immediately that something was wrong. Her whole body felt strange. She was laying down, but it was different. Looking down she was surprised to see a set of paws instead of her hands. Looking across her body — was it her body? — it looked like a wolf. What the hell happened to her? She had only shut her eyes for a few minutes... right?

Trying to rise to her feet, it was strange to find herself on four limbs instead of the usual two. What the hell? What happened? Where was she? The strangeness of this new body and new place overwhelmed her. She tried to walk on unsteady legs but fell rather quickly. She grunted with frustration, wanting to figure out how this body worked before trying to figure out where she was. Then maybe she could enjoy the fact that she was far from home, free from her duties.

But right now? All she felt was mild annoyance.