curled into the crisp air, carrying the scents of roasted maize and spices. Children's laughter echoed be
s loose, dancing around her shoulders in the breeze, and for the first time in what
head toward the warmth of the s
la
anding a few paces away, arms cross
alive toda
lighter," s
s usually sharp features. "Good. Y
yebrow. "And what
ith quiet mischief. "
with birdsong and the rustle of leaves. Sunlight broke through th
fallen leaves, and the air smelled of earth and growing things. Several Pack members
a large rock, her silver hair tied ba
ed, "you're finally ready to st
e found herself smili
apping her hands once. "To
ted with
her through each inhale, each exhale, teaching her to match the
yes," he murm
ll of a dove, the flutter of wings, the distant rush of
is voice low. "It's alive. You
ady breath of the forest. Her scar warmed, pulsing in t
ed brighter, clearer, as if she could s
a moment, they simply stoo
ame mo
cise motions of their training. It was not just fighting; it was
limbs uncoordinated, earning gentle la
ees, Elara!"
center!" a
h the earth, not against it. She caught Kael watching her, his
tripping, the Pack cheered, clapping and whoopin
ine, bright sound that felt stran
a nod of approval, but instead
n," h
and playful jabs breaking the intensity of the drills. They took breaks unde
e, every gentle scolding from Nana Isha when so
no shyly approached her, holding o
he mumbled,
the figure carefully
e breaking through. "Pa
her throat, ruffling his hai
ng the tiny wolf, its features rough but full of lif
quiet stream at the edge of the clearing. They knelt by th
ipple around the stones, the reflect
re so much?" s
, brow furrowing.
gaze. "Why do you care if I lear
oment, turning a small
Gave me a home, a purpose. They gave me a family." He paused, looking at her with eyes t
g back tears. "I don't k
his voice gentle but certai
stars appearing like pinpricks of light. Fires were lit, and the scent o
. Tano sat beside her, showing her how to peel roasted plantains without burning h
ara felt warmth spreading through her, a quiet,
as real. When she smil
re, surrounded by the Pack, she fel
stories under the stars. Nana Isha spoke of the moon's blessing, of the ancien
eart, grounding her, reminding her that she
shoulder brushing against
e smiled, a quiet, privat
, since the world turned upside down, Elara allowed herself to
the scent of herbs and woodsmoke comforting around her
owls of the Pack in the forest, the sound no lo
softly, not with pain, but with warmth, reminding her that s