The ancient settlement unfolded before them like a secret kept for centuries. Mystic and Aaron followed the elder through winding paths between stone homes that seemed to grow from the mountain itself. Gradually, the hidden community came to life. Doors creaked open. Children spilled into the streets, pausing their games to study the strangers with curious eyes.
Parents emerged more cautiously, standing in doorways with protective stances. Aaron's keen senses picked up the complex tapestry of this place—mingled scents of different shifter lines, subtle energy signatures marking wolf from bear, from cat, from others he couldn't identify.
His gaze lingered on the forearms of those they passed. Some bore the same intricate tattoo he'd seen on Mystic's skin—a symbol marking her bloodline. Ot
