I needed air. The library, with its towering shelves and overwhelming revelations, felt like it was closing in on me. My heart pounded as I pushed myself to my feet and stepped back from Mr. Hale.
“I need time,” I said, my voice cracking but resolute.
Mr. Hale studied me for a long moment, then gave a solemn nod. “Take all the time you need. No one here will rush you, Lyra. This is your journey.”
Without another word, I left the library, the creak of the door echoing behind me. My feet carried me outside almost on instinct. The fresh air hit my face, cool and crisp, and I breathed deeply, trying to still the storm inside me.
The pack grounds stretched out before me, a mixture of rustic charm and bustling life. Wooden cabins surrounded a large central courtyard, where wolves in human fo
