Page 3 of Feuding with My Shifter Werewolf

"I feel like I'm suffocating here," I admit, my voice cracking slightly. "Like I'm going through the motions of a life that doesn't fit me anymore. I need... I need something more. Something that matters."

"Kristen, listen to me." Helena's voice is gentle but firm. "I've known you for a long time, and I've watched you grow into an exceptional researcher. But more than that, I've seen your passion for the work."

I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, her words hitting a deep, hidden place inside me. "You really think so?"

"I do. And if this project is calling to you, if you feel in your gut that it's what you need to do, then you owe it to yourself topursue it. Don't let fear or doubt hold you back. Because time and life waits for no one."

I nod, even though she can't see me. "But what about funding? Frank already said no."

"There are other ways, Kristen. Grants, private donors, crowdfunding. It might take some hustle, but if you believe in this project, you'll find a way. And you know I'll support you however I can."

A smile tugs at my lips, a flicker of hope rekindling in my chest. "I don't know what to say, Helena. Thank you. For everything."

"You don't need to thank me. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"When you're out there in those mountains, chasing your dreams, don't forget to take a moment to breathe it all in. To remember why you fell in love with this work in the first place."

I laugh softly, wiping at my eyes. "I promise. And I'll send you lots of pictures."

"You better. Now, get some sleep. You've got a lot of work ahead of you."

We say our goodbyes, and I sit there for a long moment, just holding the phone and letting Helena's words sink in. She's right. I can't let fear or doubt hold me back.

But how?

I grab my laptop and start researching grant opportunities late into the night. The glow of the screen illuminates my face as I pour over websites and application guidelines, my mind buzzing with possibilities.

I can almost hear my parents' voices in my head, their well-meaning concern echoing through my thoughts. They've always supported my passion for wildlife research, but I know they worry about the practicalities.

Stability, security, a clear career path - these are the things they value, the things they've always encouraged me to prioritize.

But as much as I love and respect them, I know I can't live my life according to someone else's expectations. Not anymore. The restlessness in my soul, the yearning for something more - it's too strong to ignore.

I think back to all the times I've felt out of place, all the moments when I've questioned my purpose. The long hours in the office, the relationships that never quite fit, the nagging sense that I was meant for something greater.

It's as if I've been wandering through a fog, searching for a clear path forward.

But now, as I immerse myself in the possibilities of this research project, I feel that fog starting to lift. The idea of spending months in the wilderness, studying the intricate ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains - it fills me with a sense of excitement and rightness that I haven't felt in years.

I know it won't be easy. Securing funding, planning logistics, convincing others of the project's merit - these are all challenges I'll have to face. But for the first time in a long time, I feel ready to face them.

As the night wears on and my eyes grow heavy, I finally close my laptop and lean back in my chair. The apartment is quiet, the only sound the gentle hum of the refrigerator. I take a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm settle over me.

Then I press play.

I watch the final scene of the documentary unfold, my chest tightening with a profound yearning that's become all too familiar these past few months.

Towering peaks stretch towards the endless blue sky, their snow-capped ridges glittering like diamonds in the sun. Aherd of elk grazes peacefully in a wildflower-strewn meadow, oblivious to the camera capturing their majesty.

As the familiar scenes roll, the tension in my body eases, replaced by a sense of tranquility and rightness I haven't felt in years. It's as if the very images have reached into my soul, soothing the relentless ache of displacement that's haunted me for as long as I can remember.

I've watched this footage dozens of times now, but tonight, something shifts deep within me. The mountains...they're calling to me in a way I can no longer ignore or rationalize away.

Maybe this is what I've been searching for all along. Maybe the answers lie not in research papers or prestigious grants, but in the midst of the real thing.

The untamed wilderness.

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