A dirt path winding through the dense trees led the group to a trail sign featuring a detailed map. Above the map, bold lettering announced the forest's name: Mount Seskin. Athen stepped forward, crossing his arms as he carefully studied the layout. After snapping a map photo with his camera, he plotted their route.
Sakura approached hands on her hips. "So, what's the plan, Athen?"
He glanced at her, his expression serious. "We need to avoid the main trails and towns. It's for our safety and theirs. The Irish might've wiped out all the wolves here years ago, leaving the rest to die off. People here won't take kindly to us, especially if we stand out. Case in point: that store earlier. None of you acted normal. We need to tread carefully."
Michael raised a hand. "Wait a second. You're saying we should avoid humans entirely? Just because we're different?"
"Different is not a word I'd use," Athen replied firmly.
Sakura sighed, shaking her head. "So this is what ya meant by livin' like a bum."
Athen smirked. "Think of it as your first training exercise. Besides, walking is not our best option right now. Sorry, Sakura."
She folded her arms, raising a brow. "Aye, fine. Where are we headed?"
Athen pointed to a spot on the southern section of the map. "Wicklow Mountains National Park. We'll likely encounter some large animals along the way, so stay alert."
Sakura's eyes narrowed. "What're we waitin' for then?"
The boys shifted into their wolf forms, each transformation a dazzling display of energy and light, as mesmerizing as a holiday light show. Sakura watched in awe, even after all this time. An ache of longing tugged at her—she wished she could transform as effortlessly as they did, but she suspected it was far more complicated than it appeared.
Climbing onto Athen's back, she gripped his thick fur. Her view was quickly reduced to blurred trees and the occasional slap of branches against her face as Athen surged forward, racing through the forest with the pack at his side.
Michael caught up, his wolf form keeping pace easily. "Coming back here must've stirred up memories from primary school," he said, glancing at her. "Did they ever ask what you wanted to be when you grew up? What was your dream career?"
Sakura sighed, her gaze distant. "No, they never asked. I spent more time sittin' at the kitchen island debatin' if I even wanted to live, let alone dream about a career path. When I was a wee lass, I had plenty of ideas, but I knew they were just dreams—out of reach."
Michael frowned. "Why would you think that?"
She hesitated before replying. "When I was young, I suffered brain trauma. It made functioning in normal society nearly impossible. Dreams have expiration dates, and I knew it. I wasn't willin' to sit around and find out how much worse it could get. The idea of beggin' on the streets for money was worse than dyin'."
Athen's deep voice broke the tension. "Becoming the Alpha of an entire society wasn't even on the list of possibilities."
Michael's eyes widened, and he glanced between the two of them. "The only reason she's still alive is because of you, Athen. You've done everything to keep her safe and guide her home. If anyone deserves a medal, it's you."
Athen nodded, somewhat caught off guard by Michael's kind words, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he focused on leading the pack safely through the rugged mountain terrain before nightfall. As darkness fell, Sakura's vision dwindled to almost zero, while the others seemed utterly unfazed, their sharp night vision guiding them effortlessly.
Leaning close to Athen's soft, furred ear, she whispered, "Ya know I can't see in the dark like the lot of ya. It's gettin' a bit spooky out here, and we should take a break."
Athen flicked his ear in acknowledgment and called out, "Alright, we're taking a break. Stop here."
The pack stopped, their forms blending into the dense forest around them. They quickly found a small clearing where the trees parted just enough to make space for the group. The area was nestled against the base of stone cliffs, offering natural protection and a sense of security. Athen padded into the center of the clearing, ensuring it was safe, then turned back to the others.
"Let's rest here for a bit," he said, his deep voice carrying through the still night.
Sakura slid off Athen's back and stretched, glancing around at the shadowy outlines of the cliffs and trees. She let out a small sigh of relief, grateful for the pause in their journey.
Alex rolled onto his side near the cliff's wall, his massive tongue hanging lazily from his jaws. Stretching his paws and limbs, he groaned, "Finally. I'm starving."
His brother flopped beside him, stretching his legs with a satisfied sigh. "So, what did you get us to eat, Michael?" he asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.
Michael reached beneath his thick fur layers and pulled out a hidden bag. Dropping it onto the ground with a thud, he grinned and declared, "A feast."
Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw practically hitting the forest floor. She was unsure what was more shocking: that Michael had hidden an entire bag of food in his fur without her noticing or that he'd been carrying raw, unrefrigerated food this time. Speechless, she simply stared at the plastic-wrapped meat in stunned silence.
Behind her, Jack watched the scene unfold with quiet amusement. He shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. His pack was a wild mix of personalities—each so different, yet bonded tightly by shared origins and scars of the past. The thought warmed him, bringing a rare smile to his face.
The twins were the first to pounce, tearing into the plastic bags with their powerful jaws. The raw meat inside was shredded effortlessly, blood dripping down their snouts and pooling beneath them. Sakura's stomach churned at the sight, and she quickly turned away, her hand clamped over her mouth.
She stumbled toward Jack, only to bend over as her earlier meal forced its way back up. Spitting and coughing, she emptied her stomach, each heave leaving her more exhausted.
Jack gently nudged her shoulder with his massive wolf head, noticing her discomfort. "You alright, babes? Did Athen already knock you up?" he teased with a cheeky grin.
Upon catching the remark, Athen transformed back into his human form, his face set in a glare. He raised his middle finger at Jack before grabbing a piece of raw meat directly from the shredded bag. With a sharp bite, he tore into it using his human teeth, then seamlessly shifted back into his wolf form, clearly unimpressed.
"I'm fine, lad," Sakura managed to say, her voice still shaky. "Just need a minute." She waved them off and wandered toward the forest shrubs for some air.
Athen growled after her, his tone firm. "Don't go too far! We don't know what's out here."
Sakura waved dismissively, glancing back over her shoulder. "Aye, aye. If I see anythin', I'll scream bloody murder. Don't ya worry about me," she called, disappearing into the undergrowth.
Her guardians, lost in the primal satisfaction of their meal, seemed oblivious to her abstention. Sakura paused, searching for a place to spend the night. She wandered through the forest and marveled at the multitude of trees and open spaces. Sakura struggled to reach a toppled tree inside the foliage over a small cave, its branches forming a natural shelter. Upon entering, she discovered the interior was more spacious than expected, with ample room to accommodate them all, like a nest for a litter of newborn wolf pups.
Athen stood behind her, now in his human form, licking the blood from his lips as he stepped into the clearing. "You found a den. Nice job," he said casually.
Sakura jumped, letting out a piercing scream as she whirled around, her heart racing. Seeing him standing so close, she smacked his chest with an open palm. "What the feck, Athen? Did ya have to sneak up on me like that, ya ballocks?" she scolded.
Athen raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. "I couldn't leave you out here alone. Jack and I decided to tag along and make sure you were alright. Michael stayed back with the twins to keep them in line."
Sakura exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "A little warning would've been nice," she muttered, gazing at the rustling shrubs. Sure enough, Jack stumbled clumsily into view, brushing twigs and leaves off his clothes with a sheepish grin.
"Didn't you think I'd miss out on the fun?" Jack teased, trying to look composed despite his awkward entrance. "Aren't you hungry? I left a pile for you."
"I've never eaten raw grub before. I haven't."
Athen frowned, baffled by her response. "Really, why?"
"Humans don't eat meat raw."
Jack expressed an audible astonishment. He was ashamed for overlooking such an essential piece of knowledge. "That's right, sorry, love."
"Why can't humans eat raw meat, Jack?" Athen asked.
"Undomesticated animals have evolved digestive systems sufficiently adapted to manage raw meat. Our stomachs cultivate more acidic digestive juices, which help break down harmful bacteria and parasites that might be present in raw meat. Humans have less acidic stomachs, making them powerless against pathogens."
"Sakura isn't human."
"Correct, but revising a diet so abruptly is dangerous. So, Sakura has to eat human nourishment and portions of raw meat to adapt."
"Want to try it?" Athen asked.
Sakura hesitantly replied, "Sure."
She returned to the eating grounds, where the pack had returned to human form. She had already devoured their portions and lingered on Sakura. While she was away, they had prepared a makeshift fire. The twins pretended to be bending fire with their hands over the destructive flames. Michael was sitting on the dirt, laughing at the idea of bending anything at their will. Beside him, over a plastic sack, was banded diced stew meat.
Under the dappled moonlight filtering through the leaves, Sakura sat with them as Athen and Jack joined. The flickering flames illuminated their faces.
Jack said, "Sakura, we understand this is a big step for you. But it's a part of your genealogy, and we're here to support you."
The twins nodded in agreement, their expressions filled with encouragement. Someday, she must learn to eat raw food to make it easier for them to travel.
Sakura hesitated, her fingers tracing the edges of the makeshift plate holding a small portion of raw meat. She knew she needed to embrace this aspect of her identity, but the idea of consuming raw flesh was daunting.
Athen leaned in and spoke softly, "Eating raw meat is not about violence or savagery; it's about the circle of life."
Jack nudged him to keep his mouth shut while Michael held back his laughter. With a deep breath, Sakura picked up a piece of the meat, expressing repulsion on her face. She observed its texture and color in the dancing firelight, trying to steady her willpower.
She brought the meat to her lips, her heart racing. As she took her first bite, she tasted the unusual chewy flavors. It was an acquired taste.
Sakura finished chewing and swallowing, her eyes filled with emotions—uncertainty and a growing sense of acceptance. She looked at her friends, a small smile breaking through. "It's...different," she admitted, "but so disgustin'."
Athen grinned, and Michael silently cheered. Jack raised his flask from his pockets in a toast, and the twins celebrated by stuffing their faces. The campfire crackled and danced, casting flickering shadows across the faces of Sakura and her companions as they sat in a circle, savoring leftover bites of raw meat.
While eating her food, Sakura still pondered why she could not transform. She said, "Lads, I've been at it for a good while now, but I still can't seem to transform."
Athen leaned forward. "It's not something that can be rushed. Transforming is deeply tied to your emotions, connection with your inner self."
Jack said, "It took me ages to master some of my abilities, too. It's all about patience and practice."
The twins nodded in agreement. "I only recently began transforming properly a few years back," Alec assured her.
Michael added, "And don't forget, your ancestry is unique to you. Comparing yourself to others or setting random deadlines won't help. You'll transform when the time is right for you."
Sakura sighed, her gaze fixed on the fire. "I've this nagging sense that I'm not measuring up, lettin' the lot of ye down, I am."
Athen placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No, you're not. We're a team, and we'll face this together."
Sakura managed a small smile, touched by her friends' support. She felt vastly more valuable and had additional optimistic stories, but the night it was time to rest.