The journey back to Black Hollow began shortly before sunset.
The sky above Moonveil territory was painted in shades of gold and orange as Ayla and Luca left the pack's borders behind.
For the first few minutes, neither spoke.
The events of the day still lingered heavily in Ayla's mind.
The test.
The council.
The cheers.
The acceptance.
Everything felt strange.
Not bad.
Just strange.
A few months ago, she had been running through burning ruins with nowhere to go.
Now she had just been welcomed by one of the strongest packs in the region.
Life was strange.
Luca glanced sideways at her.
"You've been quiet."
Ayla snorted.
"I've been quiet for weeks."
"Exactly."
He pointed dramatically.
"And now you're thinking."
Ayla rolled her eyes.
"I'm always thinking."
"That's terri
