Fari
Mornings always smelled like fresh fir, dew, and freedom. The kind of fresh smell that makes you feel alive, wild, and free. The best thing about dawn in the Midwest territory was that everything sparkled with a quiet magic. The mist that hung on the grass and the soft hum of energy that whispered under my skin were two examples.
I stretched and let my fingers touch the cool ground under my bare feet. In front of me was a large, flat area of land with trees that whispered around it. The sun came up and painted the sky in soft pinks and blush golds. It touched the tops of the trees.
"Are you ready to lose, princess of the hospital?"
I turned around and smiled at her voice, which I knew well. Page was behind me with her dark curls pulled back into a messy bun and a big, naughty smile on her face. She was my best friend, my sister in every way but blood, and the only person who could make me laugh when I was so tired from Alpha training that I wanted to die.
"Princess of the hospital?" I said the same thing, and I raised an eyebrow. "That's a new one."
"Well, it looks good on you. You help people so much that you might as well wear a crown of gauze.
I laughed and pushed her lightly on the shoulder. "And you make fun of me so much that I might just crown you with dirt."
She smiled even more and got ready to fight. "Oh, is that how it is? Okay. "Don't cry when I beat you this time."
I stood next to her and said, "You've been saying that for three years," which made her laugh.
We stared into each other's eyes. The sparring field was quiet except for the sound of leaves moving and our breathing. Then we moved, as if something we couldn't see was pulling us.
Page lunged first, quickly and sharply, without thinking. I ducked and swept my leg under her, which made her fall. She got better quickly and kicked back, almost hitting my ribs. I blocked it, but I could feel the impact shake my forearms.
The ground shook under our feet as we danced like two wolves in human skin. Every move was natural, alive, and instinctive. I could hear my wolf inside me telling me to keep going. More quickly. More power. Tell her who you are.
Page grabbed my wrist and twisted it, holding me down for a second. Then I rolled over and pushed her back. The thrill of it all, the rush of friendship and power, made me laugh.
Finally, she fell, and when she hit the ground, she groaned dramatically.
"Ugh, I hate you sometimes," she said as she looked up at the sky.
I held out my hand and said, "You love me."
"Maybe a little." She picked it up and stood up, brushing dirt off her trousers. "You are faster than you were yesterday."
As I tied my long, curly chocolate-brown hair into a low braid, I said, "Mom says I'm starting to channel my wolf's balance better." "She could be right."
For a moment, Page looked at me and then smiled. "Or maybe you're just showing off because the new warriors are watching."
I rolled my eyes. "Please." I have better things to do than try to make them like me.
She smiled like she knew something. "Of course you do."
The bell from the infirmary tower rang softly in the distance. Without thinking, I turned towards it, and my heart warmed.
I brushed the dirt off my training tunic and said, "I have to go help Mom." "We got a new litter of puppies last night, and she said she would need my help with one of the moms."
Page smiled. "Go, healer girl." I'll clean up the mess. Please say hi to your mum for me.
"Of course."
I started to walk to the infirmary along the well-known paths that wound between the cabins and gardens of the pack. The Silvercrest pack wasn't the biggest, but it was one of the most peaceful. Flowers grew along the paths. Children ran around barefoot, and their laughter sounded like bells. The soft hum of pack energy surrounded us all, making us feel alive and safe, like the heartbeat of one big creature.
Everything was in the middle of the infirmary. The building was tall and made of wood. The windows had soft white curtains that moved in the wind, and the door was open, letting in the smell of herbs.
The only sounds were the soft crackling of the fire and the steady breathing of the wolves that were sleeping. There were shelves along the walls with jars of dried herbs and glowing stones that were used in healing rituals.
"Mom?" I softly called out.
"Come back here, sweetheart," her voice said, sweet and musical.
I followed it to the back room, where my mum was leaning over a table. Her hands were glowing with energy that could heal. She smiled at me, and the lines around her hazel eyes got deeper. She had long auburn hair that was pulled back.
She said, "You are early." "How was the training?"
"Good." Page says I'm getting faster.
"That's because you're learning to trust your wolf."
I smiled and walked up to her to give her a roll of clean bandages. "She is still a bit on edge."
"That's normal." My mom's eyes got softer. "She's getting bigger, just like you." You'll learn how to move as one soon enough.
I looked down at the person on the table. She was a she-wolf lying still, with a full belly of life. I was in awe, but quietly.
I said quietly, "She's beautiful."
"Yes, she is," Mom said in a soft voice. "But she was having trouble giving birth. We stayed with her all night, and now she's sleeping. Her puppies are doing fine.
I smiled, and my heart felt warm. "That's great news."
Then my mum turned to me and touched my face. "Fari, you have a good heart." The goddess of the moon must have blessed me twice to get you.
I leaned into her touch and took in the sweet smell of honey and lavender. "I learnt from the best."
She chuckled softly. "Go on, you flatterer." Your dad is trying to find you. He said something about wanting to see your form before dinner.
"Again?" I playfully groaned. "He looked at it just yesterday."
With a loving roll of her eyes, she said, "You know your father." "He thinks that every fight is a chance to turn you into a warrior."
I said, "I'm pretty sure he forgets I'm not trying to be Alpha," but I wasn't angry; I was just loving.
She said in a soft voice, "You're still his little warrior." "Go now before he gets here and starts bothering my patients."
I laughed and walked away, back into the light.
I knew my dad would be there, watching the younger warriors fight near the edge of the training grounds. His broad shoulders and dark hair with silver streaks made it easy to see him. When he saw me, he smiled, which made the lines on his face look less harsh.
He spread his arms and said, "There is my favourite fighter."
I ran to him, and he held me close for a moment.
He said, "You're covered in dust," and then he let me go.
I said with pride, "That's what happens when you win."
He laughed. "You've been with Page for too long."
I said, "She's getting to me."
He stopped laughing and smiled softly. "I'm proud of you, Fari." You have your mother's kindness and the heart of a fighter. A weird mix.
The words made my heart race. "Thanks, Dad."
He put his hand on my shoulder. "Clean up." Soon, dinner will be ready. And stay inside the borders tonight. The patrols saw some rogues up north.
"I will."
* * * * * * * * * *
By late evening, the sky was red and gold. I pulled on a light jumper and snuck out of my family's cabin. I felt like I had to run, and my wolf was pacing under my skin.
I promised her in my head that it would only be a short run. We'll stay close to the border.
The change was easy. My bones melted, my fur grew, and my senses got sharper until everything became clear. The leaves rustled, the birds flapped their wings, and the steady hum of life made the forest around me come to life.
I looked at my paws, which were as white as the moon. My wolf was medium-sized but very strong no one had seen her except me. In the dim light, her coat shone a little a bright white color. Mom always said it was a strange color. A gift of strength and cleanliness.
I ran ahead, feeling the wind blow through my fur and the ground soft under my paws. Running always made me feel free. Every breath and heartbeat was a song of wild happiness. The trees went by so quickly that for a moment I wasn't the healer's daughter or the beta's child. I was just there.
When I got to the stream, I slowed down. The water looked like the sky at dusk, with silver and blue colours. I lowered my head and drank a lot. The cold drink felt good on my tongue.
The woods were quiet and still. I shut my eyes and listened to the wind, the land's heartbeat, and the soft hum of fate whispering in my head.
There was a feeling inside me that I couldn't put into words. I felt a chill run down my spine even though it was warm outside.
I shook it off and looked at the bright horizon one last time.
I told my wolf that it was time to go back.
With a soft huff, she agreed.
I turned back towards the path, and my paws made a soft crunching sound on the leaves. I was really happy. The moon rose beautifully, and the stars began to shine above the trees.
As I walked, I thought about how Mom laughed, how Dad hugged me, and how Page teased me with a smile. My group. My family. My world.
At the time, I didn't know that this peace would last for a very long time.
As I ran home under the rising moon, all I could see were the trees, the stars, and the steady beat of my heart.