Ayla's POV
I shouldn't have fallen asleep. Not with everything happening, not with Professor Arkon captured and the full moon only three days away. But the exhaustion finally pulled me after dawn, after hours of planning with Damien, Elena, and Sienna.
The dream started differently than my usual nightmares.
I was standing in a meadow filled with wildflowers, the sun warm on my face. Everything felt peaceful, safe. Then I heard laughter. Children's laughter.
Two little girls ran past me, identical white hair streaming behind them. They couldn't have been more than five years old. One chased the other through the flowers, both giggling, both happy.
"Ayla! Wait for me!" the second girl called.
The first girl, the one being chased, turned and smiled. It was me. Younger me. And the girl c
