Ella Shields

Ella was born in a secluded, dense forest within a hidden werewolf community. Her parents, loyal pack members, were well-respected within the werewolf society for their loyalty, strength, and wisdom. They weren't alpha leaders, but they held a special role in maintaining pack traditions and educating the young on their unique heritage. As both of her parents were werewolves, Ella’s transformation abilities manifested naturally from a young age, marking her as a "pureblood" among her kind, which gave her both a sense of pride and a feeling of pressure. Unlike some werewolf children, who only learn to shift in their teens, Ella experienced her first shift at the age of five. Her first transformations were erratic, often happening when she felt extreme emotions. Her parents spent many nights by her side, soothing her and teaching her breathing techniques to calm her young mind. Each night, they would sing ancient lullabies, legends of their ancestors, and remind her of the beauty and responsibility that came with her powers.

At age ten, Ella joined her first hunt with the pack. It was a coming-of-age ritual, where she learned to track scents, read the forest, and understand her instincts. It was exhilarating and scary, but her parents stayed close, guiding her through the motions. The experience brought out her wild, animalistic side and taught her respect for the natural world. Ella’s childhood wasn’t without fear. She sometimes had nightmares about being hunted, a legacy of stories her parents shared about past conflicts with hunters. It made her cautious and taught her the need to remain vigilant, hiding her abilities when near humans. This fear instilled in her a strong sense of self-protection but also a deep empathy for her pack's survival needs.

When Ella’s fascination with the human world became undeniable, her parents—although wary—made the difficult decision to move with her to the city. They recognized that Ella’s curiosity was a part of who she was, and they wanted to support her exploration while ensuring her safety. It was an enormous change for all of them; for generations, their family had lived peacefully in the forest among their pack. But they were dedicated parents, and their love for Ella outweighed their reluctance to leave their natural home. Ella’s parents found life in the city challenging from the start. They rented a modest house on the outskirts of town, close enough for Ella to attend high school but far enough to have quick access to the wilderness if they needed it. Her father, who was skilled at carpentry, took on a job as a craftsman in a local furniture store, while her mother, an herbalist and healer in the pack, found work at a small plant nursery, where her knowledge of plants served her well.

At home, they created a sanctuary to remind themselves of their roots: they set up a small garden, and Ella’s mother kept herbs from the forest to make teas and salves that grounded them. They also maintained their traditional customs, like family “moon” nights, where they would gather in their backyard on full moon evenings, staying close to their werewolf instincts. The biggest challenge they faced was keeping their werewolf nature hidden. They developed a set of family “rules” to keep them all safe. They avoided gatherings on full moons, steering clear of anything that might trigger their transformations. They had to exercise constant self-control, suppressing their natural instincts. This made Ella feel torn at times, as if her family was living a half-life, but she knew the secrecy was essential.

When Ella made friends at school, her parents were both supportive and cautious. They encouraged her to enjoy her friendships but reminded her to stay vigilant. Her parents even set boundaries about how far she could venture into human customs, advising her to avoid social gatherings that might raise suspicion. It wasn’t always easy—Ella sometimes resented their restrictions, feeling stifled, but over time, she understood they were doing their best to protect her and themselves. As the years passed, Ella and her parents found a unique rhythm. They embraced the best of both worlds: attending Ella’s school events, celebrating holidays with neighbors, and even developing friendships with a few humans who remained unaware of their true nature. At the same time, they held on to their werewolf customs, creating a blend of human and werewolf life that was all their own. They took frequent weekend trips to the forest to reconnect with the pack, but each time, the city felt a little more like home.