Chapter 42
Mika
As I processed his words, a realization dawned on me. Devon and I had been the leaders of this pack for a significant period of time. We had experienced both joy and heartbreak, welcomed new members into our family, and expanded our territory. Through it all, we had remained united with the pack, thanks to the protection of the forest through its symbiotic relationship with us. The forest had also shown us that we could leave its boundaries by carrying a token from the oak of life. However, there was one thing the forest couldn't provide - freedom to stay away for extended periods of time without consequences. It was like the underground fungus, mycelium; if you traveled too far, it would eventually break apart and who knew what would happen then? But that was something f
