Chapter 22

## Elara's POV

The forest clearing bathed in silver moonlight created an almost sacred atmosphere for my transformation. My parents had chosen this spot carefully—a secluded area in Thorn territory where the forest felt more alive, more primal than the woods near Lunastride Academy.

"Are you ready, sweetheart?" my mother asked, her heterochromatic eyes reflecting the moonlight.

I nodded, excitement and nervousness making it hard to speak. My father stood nearby, his powerful presence reassuring. Margaret and Uncle Soren waited with a few other close pack members, their faces a mixture of anticipation and concern. The twins had been left at home—too young to witness what was about to happen.

I closed my eyes, focusing on Anna within me. This is it, I thought to her.

We're finally becoming one, she whispered back.

The first sensation wasn't pain, but rather the sound of bones breaking. I looked down at my hands in fascination as they began to twist at impossible angles. Through my rapidly blurring vision, I caught sight of my mother's worried expression, her mismatched eyes filled with concern.

That's when the real pain hit me.

My neck contorted, and I collapsed into a patch of pink starlight flowers. Agony tore through me like silver daggers piercing every inch of my body. I couldn't hear Anna anymore—her absence leaving me feeling desperately alone in this torment.

"Keep breathing, my Volana girl," my mother encouraged, her voice seeming to come from very far away.

I tried to follow her instruction, but my lungs felt like they were being compressed, reshaped. I gasped as I felt my canines elongating, my jaw restructuring to accommodate them.

I screamed, but the sound that emerged was halfway between a human cry and a wolf's howl. My heart raced dangerously fast, blood pumping through my veins like liquid Volana energy.

My mother moved closer, her hands beginning to glow with a soft light as she attempted to ease my suffering with her Volana abilities.

"Stand back, Rhiannon," my father warned. "She needs to complete this final stage on her own."

I watched through tears as my fingers stretched, white fur with starlight patterns emerging from beneath my skin. My nails bled as they transformed into claws. It felt as though my skin was being forcefully stripped away, my entire being reconstructing itself through excruciating pain.

Despite everything I'd heard about transformation, nothing had prepared me for this. How could people possibly go through this multiple times? Would it truly become easier, as everyone claimed?

I sensed Anna struggling to help, to communicate, but the connection between us wavered through the pain.

Just when I thought I couldn't endure anymore, my spine cracked loudly, extending through my back as muscles grew around it. My Volana power surged, and in a blinding flash of starlight, the transformation completed.

And then, remarkably, the pain vanished as if it had never existed.

I stood on four paws, my senses overwhelmingly enhanced. I could see every detail of the forest—each leaf's intricate pattern, the texture of the bark on distant trees. My hearing detected the gentle flow of a stream I hadn't known was nearby. But most astonishing was my sense of smell—I could distinguish countless forest scents, and beyond them all, a familiar pine-and-rain scent that I immediately recognized as Caius.

Freedom feels amazing! We're finally truly one! Anna's voice returned, vibrant with joy.

My mother, now transformed into her snow-white wolf form, approached cautiously. Elara, my starlight girl, are you alright? her thoughts reached mine.

Better than alright, I responded. I feel... complete.

My father's magnificent sandy-gold wolf form moved closer, pride shining in his eyes. Around us, other pack members had transformed as well, each wolf unique in size and coloration.

Margaret, still in human form, clapped her hands excitedly. "Let's go for a run! You need to get used to your new form!"

Without waiting for further encouragement, I felt energy surging through my new body. I chose a direction at random and took off, my snow-white form streaking through the moonlight like a shooting star.

## Caius's POV

"Nyssa? This is Alpha Caius," I said into the phone, keeping my voice low as I stood in Alaric's office.

"Yes, Alpha," the jeweler responded.

"About the sapphire necklace that was stolen—I need information about its importation."

"Of course, Alpha. Though that necklace was stolen... didn't you catch the thieves?"

"I did, but I need to know where it originally came from and who sent it."

There was a rustling of papers on the other end. "Let me check the records... It was imported from the Umbra Wastes region, through Alpha Alaric's designated channels."

I frowned. "When exactly did you receive this shipment?"

"Just last week. It was quite a special piece—I'm sorry it was stolen."

"I'll ensure it's returned to you once I've completed my investigation. I'll need all documentation related to this necklace."

"Certainly. Does this have something to do with your father's followers?"

I paused before answering. "It might. Thank you for your help, Nyssa."

After ending the call, I carefully examined Alaric's files, making sure to leave everything exactly as I'd found it.

Our mate is transforming right now, Max reminded me for the tenth time. We should be there.

"It's better that we're not," I thought back firmly. "Her Volana powers will intensify during transformation."

Through Max's heightened senses, I could feel echoes of Elara's pain. The scent of honeysuckle and rain grew stronger in the air—her transformation was progressing.

Surprisingly, her transformation seemed to complete within minutes. Most wolves, especially on their first shift, took hours or sometimes all night. Her quick transformation was yet another sign of her powerful Volana abilities.

Max howled internally with the desire to join her, to run alongside her snow-white form that I could picture clearly despite not seeing it. I exerted extraordinary willpower to remain in human form and continue my investigation.

Suddenly, Beta Lucas's voice entered my mind through our pack bond: Alpha! There's an emergency. You need to return to Ash territory immediately!

What happened? I demanded.

It's your mother... she's been attacked. At the border of the Umbra Wastes.

I felt my blood freeze, all thoughts of Elara instantly forgotten. My mother was in danger.

I'm coming, I responded, already heading for the door.