The following morning, sunlight spilled into the packhouse in golden streams. The air was warm, carrying the scent of pine, fresh earth, and the faint hint of herbs from the kitchens. Today was the day, the ceremony.
I woke early, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. Asher was already awake, quietly stretching in the corner of the room. He glanced at me and gave a small, reassuring smile. “Ready?”
I nodded, trying to steady my hands. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Kaelen and Kaelric were around too, bustling with quiet energy. Gage leaned against the doorway, his golden eyes calm, but there was a subtle glint of pride and anticipation in them. Arlo, as always, had a notebook in hand, though today he wasn’t writing anything down, he just watched, his face soft with quiet h
