The sun was high in the clear sky. Distant cries echoes from the training arena, where most of the younger shifters practiced their skills in battle and combat.
Liana sat beneath the sprawling branches of a grand oak tree, the ancient tree’s gnarled roots cradling her as she was surrounded by the Golden Arc council. The weather was cool, perfect for an impromptu picnic. Yet, as Liana faced the weathered members of the pack, cold sweat crept down her spine.
The council members were a mix of formidable elders and battle-hardened veterans, their faces lined with age and experience. Their emotions were raw and varied: some wept tears of joy, while others clutched her hands, their grip trembling with a mix of reverence and emotion. Liana felt a whirlwind of nerves and confusion as she tried
