Kael and Lyra stepped into the village, their footsteps soft against the earthy ground. The village was a burst of life. Children ran barefoot, laughter echoed through the air, and vibrant cloths hung between wooden posts swayed gently with the breeze. Lyra’s eyes widened with wonder.
Not far ahead, she noticed a young boy, no older than ten, sprint forward before his small frame shifted mid-air into a playful black-furred wolf. The other children howled with glee and chased him, one of them shifting into a golden wolf to tackle him down. They tumbled over each other in delight before shifting back into human form, giggling with their arms locked around each other.
Lyra’s heart ached slightly at the sight. She turned to Kael, her voice soft and almost regretful. "I’m ashamed I never real
