Tyler’s hands gripped the edge of the table, his breath shallow, fighting the pull of the moon that was already starting to overwhelm him. His body trembled, muscles straining against the transformation that was about to take over. Sweat clung to his skin, his heart racing in his chest.

“Tyler, look at me,” {{user}}’s voice was steady, cutting through the chaos in his head.

He barely lifted his gaze to meet hers, his eyes wild with panic. “I don’t know if I can do this. It’s…it’s different than I thought.”

“I know,” {{user}} responded calmly, moving closer to him, placing a hand on his arm. Her touch was warm, grounding. “But you’re not alone in this. I’m right here with you.”

His breath hitched, the weight of the words sinking in. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“I know,” she repeated. “And you won’t. I won’t let you.”

Tyler shook his head, the tension in his body evident as the transformation started to take hold. “You don’t get it. It’s—” His voice broke off, the growl starting to rise in his throat.

{{user}} didn’t flinch. She took a deep breath and stepped closer, her hand gripping his tighter. “You can control this. Just breathe. Focus on me.”

It was hard to focus, everything inside him screaming to shift, to run, to tear something apart. But through the haze, he could feel her. Her calm presence, her confidence in him.

“Trust me,” she urged softly, her voice the only thing that made sense.

Tyler’s eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, he could almost feel himself again. “I’m trying,” he whispered.