I enjoyed this story. Having an alien love interest learn how to be a person (and a wolf for this jam!) feels like a risky move. It means that more focus is on the MC to carry the story and the romance. Thankfully, Xander has enough depth to carry more interpersonal drama and personality to make me laugh. He leads this story until Wesley gets his bearings, in both the story and his new body.
The theme doesn't come through as clearly. I can see that interpersonal growth on the characters and the expansion of the alien race meet up with the theme, but it doesn't read as strong as it could be.
The ending feels a bit odd to me. Most of this VN is focused on procedural details and on immediate sensations, and this seems to run counter ending as it does. I expected a small epilogue for how Xander is enduring afterwards, given his state and the government situation. Since you hit the word count, I suppose that requires some editing to refocus the story on the sweep of emotions, and I don't think that fits with what you are wanting to do. If only you had 1000 more words lol.
The small touches on art direction, such as hands against the starry sky, are quite memorable. I'm interpreting this entry as writing focused, so details like that were very fun!
I can't wait to see you create more stories.