LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S/KELLY THOMPSON'S POV
We continues sailing across the dark lake, the urgency of their situation weighing heavily upon them. Jason takes over paddling, his powerful strokes propelling them swiftly towards the far shore.
As we near the bank, I scan the treeline for any sign of pursuit. So far, the night remains still save for the gentle lapping of water against the canoe.
"Where do we go from here?" I ask Jason in a hushed voice.
His brow furrows as he considers our options. "We need to get as far away from pack lands as possible. The human town to the east has a train station. If we can make it there undetected, we might have a chance of escaping to England as planned."
I nod, glancing down at Eden. Our son sits quietly between us, the golden scepter still clutched tightly to his chest. His eyes are wide and alert.
As we near the shore, Jason's keen eyes scan the treeline for any signs of danger. "We'll need to move quickly and quietly," he whispers. "The forest will provide some cover, but we're still vulnerable."
We beach the canoe and Jason helps Eden and me onto the rocky shore. As soon as his feet touch the ground, Eden sways slightly, fatigue evident in his small frame. Without a word, Jason scoops him up, careful not to jostle the scepter still clutched in our son's arms.
"I can walk, Daddy," Eden protests weakly, but his head already rests heavily on Jason's shoulder.
"Save your strength, son," Jason murmurs. "We have a long journey ahead."
As we move into the shelter of the trees, I can't help but marvel at how natural Jason looks carrying Eden. Despite the years of separation, the bond between father and son is evident in the tender way Jason holds Eden, and in the trust with which Eden clings to him. My heart aches at the sight, a bittersweet reminder of all we've lost and all we stand to lose again.
We move swiftly through the forest, Jason leading the way with his superior night vision. I follow close behind, straining my ears for any sound of pursuit. The forest is eerily quiet, as if holding its breath in anticipation of the coming storm.
After what feels like hours of trekking, Eden's soft voice breaks the silence.
"Mommy, Daddy, I'm scared," he whispers.
Jason and I exchange a glance over Eden's head. In that moment, I see my own fear and uncertainty reflected in Jason's eyes.
"It's okay to be scared, sweetheart," I say softly, reaching out to stroke Eden's hair. "We're all a little scared right now. But we're together, and we're going to keep each other safe."
Jason nods in agreement. "Your mother's right, son. Being brave doesn't mean you're never afraid. It means doing what needs to be done even when you are afraid."
Eden seems to consider this for a moment before asking, "Like how you're fighting to protect our pack, Daddy?"
A pained expression flashes across Jason's face before he manages a small smile. "That's right, Eden. And now the bravest thing we can do is make sure you're safe."
We continue our journey in silence for a while longer. The first hints of dawn are just beginning to lighten the eastern sky when Jason suddenly stops, his body tensing.
"What is it"? I whisper, my heart rate instantly accelerating.
Jason's nostrils flare as he scents the air. "Water," he murmurs. "And... something else. Stay close."
We creep forward cautiously, the forest floor muffling our footsteps. As we round a large oak tree, I see what Jason has sensed: a small clearing with a bubbling stream cutting through it. But it's not the water that has Jason on high alert.
There, crouched by the stream's edge, is a figure. Even in the dim pre-dawn light, I can tell it's not human. The creature's form is too lithe, its movements too fluid as it laps at the water.
"Another werewolf?" I breathe, barely audible.
Jason shakes his head minutely. "No," he mouths silently. "Shapeshifter." He precises.
My breath catches in my throat. Shapeshifters are rare and notoriously unpredictable. Some are allies to werewolf packs, while others are fierce rivals. There's no way to know which kind we've stumbled upon.
Jason slowly pushes Eden behind him, shielding our son with his body. I move to flank Eden's other side, my muscles coiled and ready to spring into action if necessary.
The creature at the stream suddenly stiffens, its head snapping up to look in our direction. In the growing light, I can see its eyes gleaming with an unnatural intelligence. It rises slowly, its form seeming to shimmer and blur at the edges.
"Who goes there?" a voice calls out, neither male nor female, but somehow both at once. "Step into the light where I can see you."
Jason squeezes my hand, a silent question. I step back, nodding slightly. We've been spotted; there's no use in hiding now.
Jason steps forward first, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "We mean no harm," he calls out, his voice steady despite the tension I can feel radiating from him. "We're just passing through."
I follow, keeping Eden close behind me. As we enter the clearing, the shapeshifter's form solidifies, settling into the appearance of a slender woman with silver hair that seems to catch the first rays of dawn. Her eyes, a swirling mix of gold and green, study us intently.
"A werewolf, a human, and..." her gaze lands on Eden, her head tilting curiously. "Interesting. What brings such an unusual family to my territory?"
"We're seeking sanctuary," I say, deciding honesty is our best option. "We've traveled far to escape those who would harm us," I continue, my voice steady despite the fear churning in my gut. "We didn't know this area was claimed."
The shapeshifter's eyes narrow, flicking between the three of us. "Sanctuary, you say? From whom?"
Jason steps forward, his shoulders tense. "A rival pack. They... they threatened our son." His voice catches slightly on the last word.