POV: Luna
"Eclipse, you're up."
Ryder's voice cuts through the morning fog as I stand at the edge of the training grounds with the rest of my class.
Today's exercise is solo tracking. We're supposed to follow a scent trail through the forest, find the marked target, and return without getting lost.
Simple enough.
Except my gut is telling me something's off.
"You'll have one hour," Ryder continues, holding up a small vial. "Your target is marked with this scent. Track it, tag it, come back. Don't shift fully unless you absolutely have to."
I nod and take the vial, committing the smell to memory. It's sharp and earthy, like pine mixed with something metallic.
"Any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Good. Move out."
I head into the forest, leaving the other students behind. The trees close in
