Aisha and I had been talking for what felt like only a few minutes, but in truth, time had slipped away from us far more quickly than we realized. The conversation flowed easily between us—light, familiar, almost comforting—until the atmosphere around us subtly shifted. The surrounding Lunas began to stir, their attention drawn elsewhere, their laughter fading as they stood and gathered their things.
It took a moment for it to register.
Then Aisha looked outside the tent and let out a soft laugh.
“We’ve been talking for so long,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Look— the Alphas are already returning from the hunt.”
Only then did I notice it too.
Movement outside. Excited voices. The distant presence of returning warriors.
I exhaled a small laugh, pushing myself u
