Aya's POV
My feather didn’t move either.
At first.
I followed the instructions, tried to empty my mind, tried to think of conversion. Pheromones to magic. Instinct to intent. But the more I thought about it, the more my thoughts tangled. And yes, I still have pheromones even if I don't have a wolf. I just kinda can't use it to it's full potential and I can't use mind link.
Then the elder spoke again.
“Stop trying to lift it.”
Everyone froze.
“Magic is not force,” he said calmly. “It is redirection. Your pheromones already move things—emotions, reactions, power dynamics. Stop treating them like something shameful or crude. They are energy.”
Something clicked.
I thought of the bond. Of the way my presence affected Johanis without me doing anything at all. Of how emotions shifted ju
