The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing. The air was crisp and cool, tinged with the scent of pine and damp earth. Opal hugged her knees to her chest, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the crescent moon charm on her bracelet. Tonight, they would face their first shift. Tonight, everything would change.
Elena stood before them, her eyes earnest, her voice steady. "There's a place… a clearing in neutral territory. It's safe, hidden, and protected by ancient magic. No one patrols there. No one will find you." Her eyes softened, a flicker of pain crossing her face. "It's where my parents took me for my first shift. It's… sacred. Untouched by any pack. It's the safest place I know."
Forrest's eyes widened, his face brightening with hope. "Really? A place that safe exists?" He looked at his siblings, his voice trembling with excitement. "We could actually enjoy the shift… like we're supposed to. Without fear."
Brooks nodded, his face thoughtful. "It sounds perfect. And if it's hidden that well, Azeala wouldn't be able to find us. We'd be safe."
Ridge looked at Elena, his face softening. "Your parents trusted this place? It must be really special."
Elena's eyes glistened, her voice breaking. "It is. It's… where I feel closest to them. It's a place of memories… of peace." Her voice steadied, her gaze determined. "I want you to have that. I want you to be safe. Please… let me take you there. I'll protect you. I swear it."
Opal's chest tightened, her heart aching at the sincerity in Elena's voice. She looked at her brothers, their faces filled with hope. It did sound perfect. It sounded safe. But as she looked at Ash, she noticed his rigid stance, his silver eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight. Her stomach twisted.
Ash's voice echoed suddenly through her mind, cold and sharp.
Ash (mind link):I don't like this. Something's off.
Opal's heart skipped a beat. She looked at him, confusion swirling in her mind.
Opal (mind link):What are you talking about? It sounds safe. Perfect, even.
Ash's eyes remained on Elena, his body tense.
Ash (mind link):That's exactly the problem. It sounds too perfect. Too convenient. Why suggest it now? Right before our shift?
Ridge's voice cut through the link, cautious but curious.
Ridge (mind link):What are you getting at, Ash? You think it's a trap?
Ash's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing.
Ash (mind link):I don't know. But my gut is screaming at me. Something's wrong. It feels like we're being led… away from pack territory. Away from help.
Forrest's voice was sharp, defensive.
Forrest (mind link):Why would Elena betray us? She saved Opal! She's been with us this whole time.
Brooks's voice was soft, hesitant.
Brooks (mind link):She risked everything for us. If she was working for Azeala, why would she have helped us escape?
Ash's eyes were cold, calculating.
Ash (mind link):I don't know. But it feels wrong. Too easy. Why would she know about a place that's so well hidden? And why insist on taking us there now?
Opal's stomach churned, her heart pounding. She didn't want to believe it. But she trusted Ash. She trusted his instincts.
Opal (mind link):Then… maybe we don't go.
Ash's eyes flicked to her, his face softening.
Ash (mind link):What are you thinking?
Opal took a deep breath, her mind racing.
Opal (mind link):What if… what if we go near pack territory? Not inside… just close enough that if something goes wrong, we can call for help. The pack would hear us. They'd come running.
Ridge's eyes widened, his expression thoughtful.
Ridge (mind link):That's smart. We'd have backup if something went wrong. We wouldn't be alone.
Forrest's voice was hesitant, his fear evident.
Forrest (mind link):But… what about Elena? She said she'd protect us. If we go near pack territory… she can't come with us.
Brooks's eyes softened, his face conflicted.
Brooks (mind link):She's helped us this far. I don't want to leave her behind. But… we need to be safe.
Opal's heart ached. She looked at Elena, her friend, the one who had risked everything to help them. She didn't want to betray her trust. But she also didn't want to walk into a trap.
Opal (mind link):We tell her we'll meet her later. After the shift. We don't tell her where we're going. Just… that we need to be alone for the shift. It's not a lie. We do need to be alone. And if she's telling the truth… she'll understand.
Ash's face softened, his shoulders relaxing.
Ash (mind link):That's… smart. We don't accuse her. We don't make her suspicious. But we keep ourselves safe.
Ridge's voice was firm, resolute.
Ridge (mind link):We stay close to pack territory. If anything goes wrong… we call for help. We stick together. We stay safe.
Forrest's voice was small, scared.
Forrest (mind link):I… I don't want to believe she'd betray us. But… if you're right… we can't take that chance.
Brooks's voice was quiet, trembling.
Brooks (mind link):I trust her. But… I trust you more, Ash. We do this your way.
Opal took a deep breath, her heart steadying.
Opal (mind link):We tell her we're going alone. We meet her afterward. If she really cares about us… she'll understand.
Ash's face softened, his eyes glistening.
Ash (mind link):Together. No matter what.
Opal looked at her brothers, their faces filled with fear and hope. She felt their love, their trust, their strength.
Opal (mind link):Together. Always.
She turned to Elena, forcing a smile. "I think… I think we need to do this alone. The shift… it's our rite of passage. It's something we need to do together. Just us."
Elena's face fell, her eyes widening. "You… you don't want me to come?" Her voice was small, trembling. "I thought… I thought you trusted me."
Opal's heart broke at the pain in Elena's eyes. She reached out, taking her hand. "We do trust you. But… this is something we need to do as siblings. It's tradition. It's… sacred. We'll meet you afterward. I promise."
Elena's shoulders slumped, her face pale. "Oh. I… I understand." Her eyes flickered, fear flashing across her face before she quickly looked away. "I just… I wanted to protect you."
Opal squeezed her hand, her heart aching. "You have. More than you know." Her voice was soft, trembling. "We'll see you after. I promise."
Elena nodded, her face pale. "Okay. I'll… wait for you. Just… be careful. Please."
Opal watched her walk away, her heart heavy with doubt. She prayed they were wrong. She prayed Elena's loyalty was real.
But no matter what, they would face the truth tonight.
Together.