Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

Lana

F or a moment, everything was still. Too still. There was nothing to distract from the ache growing in my chest. Then the light was back, but this time, it was brighter. More vibrant. It exploded from the woods around me, blinding me. I raised an arm to shield my face.

The light peaked, then slowly faded, but the realm didn't return to the muted hues of the misty woods. The view around me was clearer, crisper. I lowered my arm, squinting as my eyes adjusted to the new normal, and that's when I saw them.

Three figures stood in front of me, mere feet away. I blinked, trying to make sense of it. Were they part of the test? Had I passed?

I took a step back, my heart racing. They solidified, the light still too bright to make out details, but I could see that the one in the middle was holding something. A book. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Were these the guardians of the relic? Or something else entirely? I had a million questions, but no words would come out.

They finally came into focus. They were warriors. The way they stood with their shoulders back, and their clothes. Worn leather armor covered their chests and shoulders, etched with intricate patterns.

"Daughter of the Shadow Pack, we're at your service." The warrior in the middle handed me the book.

My fingers trembled as I took it from him. "What is it?" I exhaled. "I mean, I know what it is, but what does it do? How does it work?"

He held my gaze. "It's a repository of power. Spells, rituals, and knowledge that the world has tried to forget. But the book doesn't just hold information—it has a will of its own."

I nodded, thinking of the dagger. I was getting used to that by now.

"It chooses who can read it. Those unworthy never see more than blank pages. The book tests the reader's mind—intellect, intent, and strength. And it doesn't give up its secrets without a price," he finished.

I let out a slow breath. So, I'd completed my tests, but the book still had to deem me worthy. "What kind of price?"

His expression hardened. "The more you draw from it, the more it draws from you. Every spell, every ritual, it takes a piece of your mind. The power to alter reality, predict the future, summon forces beyond comprehension—it's all in there." He paused, his lips pressed into a grim line. "But those who rely on it too much? They lose themselves."

There once was a man named Thorne . . .

The two other warriors stepped forward. "We have been waiting."

"For what?"

"For you to claim your place."

Goosebumps rose on my skin. "And what place is that?"

The middle warrior stepped closer, placing his hand on the book I held. "You are the alpha of the Shadow Pack."

I blinked, trying to process his words. They seemed to hover at the surface, then sank into me with such force, I momentarily forgot to breathe. "I don't know—I don't have any experience with this."

He patted the book. "This is your guide. Your heritage. Everything you need to know is within these pages."

"If I'm worthy?"

The corner of his mouth lifted, then he stepped back between his shadow brothers. "What will you have us do?"

My thoughts were a tangled mess. What was I supposed to do with this new information? How was I supposed to lead a pack that I didn't even know existed until a week ago? And what about my friends? My family? What about everything I'd just seen in the vision?

I couldn't do this alone.

My heart ached, and my mind drifted to Destin. He was my anchor, the one constant in the midst of this chaos. I let my thoughts drift to the memory of him, his hands on my face, his lips on mine. The way he kissed me. Like he needed me. I wanted him here with me. Was that selfish?

I drew a deep breath, my chest tight. The air was cool and crisp, the leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The forest floor was soft beneath my feet. It was like the woods were breathing with me, their energy pulsing with my own.

"This feels heavy. This responsibility?" the middle warrior asked.

"You think?" I clutched the book to my chest.

"You now hold the weight of our pack, but you also have abilities. Gifts that come with your new role."

I frowned. "Abilities?"

The warrior on the left stepped forward. "You can move between shadow and light. Between this realm and the world you know."

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

He motioned to the shadows at the edge of the clearing. "Watch." He stepped into the darkness, and I gasped as he disappeared. My heart pounded, and I took a step forward, but the middle warrior held up a hand.

"Wait."

I stopped, my breath coming in shallow bursts. Then, as if nothing had happened, the warrior reappeared on the opposite side of the clearing.

I stared, my mind struggling to comprehend what I'd just seen. "How did he . . . ?"

"You have the same ability. You can move between worlds, Lana." The middle warrior's eyes twinkled with amusement.

I swallowed hard, a mix of awe and fear churning in my gut. "But I don't know how to do that."

The warrior smiled, his expression softening. "You will learn. We will help you."

I nodded, but my thoughts were already spiraling. If I could move between worlds, that meant I could go back. Back to the real world. Back to Destin.

I turned to the warriors. "Show me how."