The dawn was still a fragile thing. It was half light, half silver. I stood at the heart of the Direlands, surrounded by towering ancient stones and the low murmur of wolves gathering in quiet reverence. The air hung heavy with both weight and promise. Today, I would leave this hidden realm—this sanctuary that had become my unexpected home—and step into a world that neither knew me nor forgave.
The Direwolves stood in solemn formation, each tribe present: Air, Water, Earth, Fire… even the elusive Shadow Wolves and the seers had appeared, their presence cloaked in darkness but no less powerful. I could feel the earth beneath my feet pulse faintly with elemental energy, and it resonated deep within my bones.
At the center stood Agalaya, regal as ever, her long robes shifting with the wind. Beside her, was the council of elders. They were solemn and quiet just like the day they welcomed me into their camp. Their eyes met mine—some proud, some concerned, all heavy with hope.
Agalaya took a step forward, her eyes shone like a bright light on clear. "Thalia Fiamma," she said, her voice firm and resonant, "Your journey into the world beyond begins now. But you must understand—your path is bound to the fate of the Direlands. What you do in the world you were born reflects on all of us."
My heart pounded beneath my ribs as she paused. "I understand," I said, voice low but sure.
Agalaya stood between me and the rest of the pack. Her silver hair was woven into a crown of branches and flowers. Her eyes were ageless and fathomless as they settled on me with quiet sorrow.
"You have become one of us, because you have been tried, tested and trained. You have walked the shadow of death and emerged stronger. Today, you will walk forward."
My throat tightened as she stepped closer. She held something wrapped in black silk. Slowly, with reverent hands, she unfolded it to reveal a pendant—a wolf head engulfed in flame. She reached up and clasped it on the rope around my neck. Now it held two pendants. The stone was cold against my skin, but I felt a flicker of warmth pulse through it… as though it was alive.
"This," she whispered, "is a piece of Direland's soul. It will burn only for you. But it must never be seen by outsiders."
I nodded solemnly, fingers brushing the pendant gently. Then her expression shifted. Stern. Serious. Sacred.
"You must listen carefully now, Thalia."
I straightened instinctively. The wind paused—as if the land itself awaited her words.
"You are to never speak of the Direlands to another soul. Not even your mate, not even your children, if one day you are blessed with them. keep this as a secret just as your mother kept this secret from you. This place must remain a secret, or it will be destroyed."
My chest ached at the thought. "I understand."
"And your powers," she continued, her voice low. "You must keep them buried. Do not reveal what you are unless you are left with no choice. The world is not ready. And neither are you."
"But what if I—"
"You are powerful, yes," she interrupted gently, "but not yet whole. The fire in you is still wild, still searching. If you let it roam free in a world that fears what it cannot control, it will not protect you. It will consume you."
I shivered despite the morning sun.
"You must not return to Greenwood Pack—not yet. If they find you when you are not yet ready they will kill you and even your powers won't be able to save you then."
My head snapped up. The name still sparked fury and pain in my soul.
"You must continue with your plans for that is the path set for you. Go to the Lycan Kingdom," Agalaya said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "There, under the rule of the Lycan Prince, will you serve, will you learn and become."
"Serve?" I echoed, blinking. "Serve how?"
She smiled, but it wasn't soft. It was knowing. "In the palace, you will earn your place. To become the fire you were born in the flames you will prove yourself. You will not be seen as a warrior. You will be overlooked, tested, perhaps even belittled. Good. Let them underestimate you. Let them see only a girl. Let them speak, doubt, and whisper about you. Then, become. Rise."
I clenched my fists. A burning stirred in my chest—not rage this time, but purpose.
"I don't want to be a slave anymore. I will not serve or grovel before anyone."
"Then you must start somewhere Thaila. Prove to them that you are not to be thrifled with. But in a good way. The direwolves are only known for good."
"There will come a time, Thalia," Agalaya said slowly, "when this land will cry out for you. When danger knocks on the sacred trees of the Direlands, no one but you will be able to save us."
I stared at her, stunned.
"You are not done here. Your roots are in fire, but your destiny is a circle. You must go to grow, and return to protect."
My breath caught. "Will I… know when that time comes?"
"As deep calls unto deep, the flame will reach out to call you," she answered cryptically. "When the world burns, you will feel it. And then you must decide—what to save… and what to let die."
"This is now my home. I will protect it." I said with determination. She gave a slight nod.
"You carry four elements within you. Protect them. Guard them." and with that Agalaya turned to leave.
"Your friends will escort you to the gates." An elder from the air wolves said and followed after Agalaya.
"We leave you with our blessings" An elder from the earth wolf said and touched my head. I groaned as I felt a stinging pain on my lower back. He turned and followed after the air wolf.
"Your mother would be proud of you." The water wolf elder simply said and turned.
The priestess and seer were the last to speak. "Go fulfill your destiny." They said in unison.
When they turned to leave the whole direwolf tribe followed after them except six—
Zephyr, pyra, Nia, kaelen, Nyx and Azure.
Zephyr walked towards me, arms crossed, wind tousling his loose hair. "You know the rules," he said, his voice lighter, teasing. "Stay hidden. Same tone. Same wolf. No element. No power."
I nodded with a furrowed brow, letting the warnings settle in like stone.
Pyra approached next, her fiery curls tamed by a silver clasp. She handed me a scroll, bound in ember-thread. "Read this," she said simply. I accepted it with reverence.
The scroll was filled with warnings, its ink tinged with heat. Secrecy must be your shield. The Direlands must never be mentioned beyond these walls. Your magic must remain unseen—used only in direst need. The world you enter will never accept a supernatural queen. They will seek your blood—and ours.
I folded the scroll carefully and tucked it into my belt. The heat from it felt faintly alive against my hip.
Kaelen, ever the stern guardian who taught me to walk with fire stepped forward with silent intensity. "Your Fire is great, Carry it well."
"I will," I whispered.
Nyx emerged from the half-shadows. His voice was little more than a breath. "Fiamma the knowledge of your existence would bring fear to our Enemies. Stay hidden but you must be seen."
He stepped back without waiting for a reply.
Nia floated by. "I saw something In the deep. The water revealed what no man has seen. Three fates tied in one. Your destruction, our doom and your heart. Choose wisely."
My heart raked with emotions. Confusion, sadness and then fear. I was about to ask questions but she just sprinkled some water on me and floated back.
Azure appeared quietly at my side, her blue robes trailing like river mist and her eyes brimming with tears. She took my hands. "Your destiny starts today. Remember us, carry the memory of our bond, our truth. And when you're overwhelmed and lost, when you want to find your way back—remember your way back—remember you have a family."
I nodded slowly, swallowing the tightness in my throat.
"All the secrets....." I starmmerd. "How can I keep them?"
"That is a burden you must carry" she said as she held my hands.
Now it was the time for farewell. They walked beside me quietly as they led me to the entrance of the land.
Zephyr called softly beside me. "See you when you get back, Firebrand."
Pyra stamped a fist over her chest. "Don't scorch the place up, okay?"
Azure leaned close and whispered, "I'm proud of you."
Kaelen's lips twitched with the barest smile. "Stay grounded."
Nyx's voice echoed faintly. "Beware of other creatures. The witches, sirens, shape shifters and even fellow werewolves."
I walked on until I could no longer feel them beside me, swallowed by silence.
At the threshold, I stopped. There was no wall, no gate—just a shift in the air. Here, elemental magic thinned. The soil beyond blended into untamed grass and wind-stirred leaves. On the other side lay the world—forests, roads, cities, kingdoms, and packs. None of them knew who I was. None of them would care if I burned or broke.
I closed my eyes and whispered into the air, "I carry you."
Then I stepped forward.