The Silent Journey

**Angel**

The morning air was cold and damp as I walked through the forest, the soft sounds of nature surrounding me. Each step I took brought me further away from the safety of the mansion and closer to the unknown. The tall trees cast long shadows, and the trail ahead seemed to stretch on endlessly. Despite the fear I felt, the determination in my heart pushed me forward.

The forest surrounding the mansion was dense, and I knew I was venturing into dangerous territory. However, I was familiar with these trails. When I was younger, I often explored the forest with my brother, and the memories of those times gave me a sense of familiarity and security that I desperately needed.

As I moved forward, the sound of my footsteps was muffled by the carpet of dry leaves on the ground. The darkness of dawn was beginning to lift, but I knew I needed to keep up the pace, taking advantage of every moment before anyone at the mansion noticed my absence.

My mind kept drifting back to what I had left behind. The image of my son, asleep in his bed, was a constant weight on my heart. I knew Dimitri would take care of him, that he would be safe, but the thought of not being there if something happened made me uneasy. Even so, I was convinced that what I was doing was necessary. I needed to find my family, to discover what was happening with my old pack, and, if possible, to obtain information that could help all of us.

The walk was long and exhausting, and the forest seemed to close in around me. The silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of animals that I knew wouldn't harm me. Nature was alive, but there was a disquieting stillness, as if the forest itself was aware of the approaching threat.

Finally, after hours of walking, I stopped to rest. I sat on a moss-covered rock, taking deep breaths and trying to calm my racing heart. By now, Dimitri had probably discovered my departure, and I knew he would be furious. I imagined the harsh words he would say, how much he would accuse me of being irresponsible. But I couldn't turn back now. I had to keep going.

As I rested, my thoughts wandered to Haizel. I didn't trust her, and something about the way she had been behaving lately made me even more suspicious. There was something in her eyes, something calculating, that made me believe she was plotting something. But now, alone in the forest, I was too far away to do anything about it.

I got up and continued my walk, knowing that each step brought me closer to the border. Worry for my mother and brother weighed on my thoughts. They had always been a fundamental part of my life, and the idea that something might have happened to them was unbearable. I needed to see them, to know they were safe.

Time seemed to drag on, but finally, the trees began to thin out, and I saw the edge of my old pack's territory in the distance. My heart raced at the familiar sight, but a shadow of fear also settled in. There was a sense of imminent danger, as if something was waiting for me on the other side.

When I finally crossed the border, I was met by two wolves I recognized immediately. They looked at me in surprise but quickly shifted back into their human forms.

"Angel," one of them said, still surprised. "What are you doing here alone?"

I took a deep breath, relieved to see familiar faces. "I need to see my mother and brother. Something is happening, and we need to talk."

They exchanged worried looks but nodded. "We'll take you to them. But it's dangerous, Angel. Lucian is near, and there are rumors he's planning something big."

"I know," I replied, trying to stay calm. "That's why I'm here."

As they led me through the territory, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. I was finally close to my family, but I knew the danger was drawing near. Every step I took brought me closer to the answers I sought, but it also led me deeper into a web of intrigue and danger that I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

In the distance, I saw the imposing figure of my brother, his serious expression as he approached. My mother was by his side, and seeing their faces brought me a sense of relief I hadn't realized I needed so much. But the look in their eyes said it all. There was something they knew, something that would change everything.

I was about to discover what was really happening, and I didn't know if I was ready to hear the truth. But, either way, I was here, and there was no turning back.