We stepped into the village. Small huts were scattered between the trees, smoke rose from chimneys, and people moved calmly among the cabins. I could feel all eyes turn to me instantly. Some were curious. Others serious. A few... almost skeptical.

  I stood there in the middle of the square, stiff as a statue. The silence was heavy, as if the whole village was holding its breath.

  Then, the stillness broke.

  A woman stepped forward through the crowd. She wore a large fur cloak that looked like it came from a bear, and in her hand she held a staff. It wasn't just any staff—it was carved with symbols: a wolf, a moon, and a whole pack in motion.

  Her eyes studied me carefully. Her entire presence radiated respect—and strength.

  "I see you have succeeded, my children," she said in a deep yet gentle voice. "You have brought the woman who can break the curse."

  I gasped.

  "Dear child," she continued, turning to me. "You have a heavy burden ahead. Many choices to make. A journey, full of trials. That is why these eight men were chosen—not to lead you, but to protect you as you find your own path. Your decisions are your own. Let no one make them for you. Only through your own choices—and mistakes—can you find the way."

  I nodded. Not because I knew what to say, but to avoid looking completely lost in front of the entire clan.

  She looked me in the eyes, then turned to a younger woman at her side.

  "Amelia, show her to the bath. Give her new clothes and show her to her hut."

  Amelia smiled warmly and nodded. She was slender and moved with a grace that made her seem like she floated rather than walked. Her chestnut-brown hair was tied up in a messy bun, with a few loose curls framing her soft, round face. Her eyes were light green, with a hint of playfulness behind the kind expression.

  "Come with me, Tracy."

  Sacra turned to the other women. "Prepare the food. Tonight, we celebrate. Everyone has returned, and the task is complete—for now."

  A cheer broke out, flutes and drums began to play, and the air filled with the scent of fire and joy.

  I glanced at Will. He stood on the edge of the group, silent. For once, he looked almost... thoughtful.

  I followed Amelia toward one of the huts.

  Amelia gave me a kind smile. "Come, I'll show you where you can wash up. Then I'll bring you some clothes."

  We walked through the village until we reached a small hut on the outskirts. When we stepped inside, I was met with a surprise—a bathtub. Or, well, something that resembled a bathtub, but still. Amelia began filling it with warm water, and steam rose toward the ceiling, wrapping the room in a soft mist.

  "It's not boiling hot, is it?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'd prefer to survive this bath without cooking my insides."

  Amelia laughed. "No, it's the perfect temperature."

  She started laying out soap, shampoo, and a small towel. "I'll be back soon. Everything you need is right here."

  She left and closed the door behind her.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  My clothes hung on me like a wet blanket—dirty, cold, a reminder of how many days had passed since the crash. When I sank into the water, it was like my whole body melted. I closed my eyes. For a moment, it felt like I was lying on a beach, not in a hut in a village full of wolf-people.

  When I was done and had just wrapped a towel around myself, Amelia stepped back in with a set of clothes in her arms.

  "I hope you like them," she said. "A mix of bear and deer hide. They'll keep you warm, trust me."

  "Thank you, really." I took the clothes with reverence. "How do you even get things like this?"

  Her dimples appeared as she smiled. "Just because we're wolves doesn't mean we can't live like humans."

  I laughed and shook my head. "Sorry. That was a pretty dumb question. I blame the lack of sleep."

  "It's okay. When you're ready to find your hut—just let me know."

  "Thanks, Amelia."

  She returned my thanks with a brief smile and left me alone in the steamy room.

  I got dressed and ran my fingers through my hair. There was no mirror, but I silently hoped I didn't stand out too much.

  When I stepped out of the hut after the bath, the celebration was already in full swing. Laughter, music, and the scent of grilled food filled the air. People danced between the huts, some sat in groups around fires. It felt like the whole village had exhaled—one moment of relief.

  I spotted Sac by one of the fires, talking to two girls. He noticed me and grinned widely.

  "There you are!" he called, waving. "I almost thought you'd run off."

  "You're not getting rid of me that easily," I replied with a smile.

  He gestured toward the two girls. "This is Niva and her sister Rina."

  They both nodded politely, though their eyes were curious. Niva stepped closer, a playful smile on her lips.

  "We've already heard a bit about you," she said. "You're kind of... the star of the evening."

  "Not exactly what I had in mind, but okay," I said cautiously.

  Rina gave a crooked smile. "We like new faces around here. Especially when they stir things up a bit."

  Sac turned to her. "Can you get something for Tracy to eat? I'm guessing she hasn't had a proper meal in a while."

  "Right away," she said and disappeared into the crowd.

  Niva stepped even closer and glanced around, like she wanted to make sure no one was listening.

  "Okay, real talk—out of those eight guys you came here with... which one are you checking out?"

  My eyes widened. "What? Excuse me?"

  "Come on," she said, laughing softly. "They're the clan's golden boys. You must've fallen for at least one of them? I mean, you spent days with them in the woods."

  "I've literally just gotten dry and I'm about to eat my first proper meal," I said with a crooked smile. "Thinking about who's the 'cutest' hasn't exactly been my priority."

  But you've thought about it. You know you have. Just for a second here and there...

  "Fair," Niva said, raising her hands. "But if I had to guess... Rex? No. He's more of the 'wise leader' type."

  "Exactly. Feels more like someone's dad than someone you'd flirt with."

  Niva laughed. "Okay then, Sac?"

  "He's wonderful. But more like... a safe friend."

  "Mm, it's obvious he enjoys talking to you," she said, glancing toward the fire. "Okay, Gus?"

  "He seems nice, but he keeps to himself."

  "Yeah, he's the quiet type. Wics?"

  "A little too serious"

  "Tou·ché. Sate?"

  "He has a girlfriend. That much is clear."

  Niva let out a quick laugh. "Yeah, Eira would literally rip your throat out if you even looked too long."

  I grinned. "Noted."

  "Luc?"

  "He smiles too much. Like he knows something you don't."

  "He probably does," Niva said with a wide smile. "And Nick?"

  I thought for a moment. "He seems... observant. Like he's always reading the room. Not in a bad way, just... carefully."

  "So... that only leaves one."

  I hesitated. "Will."

  Niva raised her eyebrows. "Ah. Will."

  "What?" I asked quickly. Too quickly.

  "He's... yeah, he's hot. But he's not exactly easy to read. It's like he keeps the world at arm's length."

  I shrugged. "He's just... annoying. Half the time I don't know if I want to talk to him or punch him."

  "That usually means something," she said with a grin.

  I rolled my eyes but couldn't help laughing.

  I needed this. A moment of something normal. Something that wasn't about curses, transformations, or death.

  Rina returned with a plate full of food and handed it to me. I accepted it with a quiet thank you and sat down on a low wooden bench. The food was warm, the flavors simple but comforting.

  All around me, the celebration continued—music, dancing, fires crackling in rhythm with the laughter. I heard someone start drumming in time with a flute, and a group of people began dancing in a circle.

  But my body had started to protest. My eyes felt heavy, and every sound around me grew more muffled. I looked over at Sac and the girls who were still talking and laughing. I wanted to be part of it... just not right now.

  I've been strong all day. But now... I'm done.

  I stood up slowly and searched for Amelia with my eyes. She stood a bit away by another fire, but as soon as she saw me, she came over.

  "Tired?" she asked with a kind smile.

  "More than ever," I mumbled.

  She smiled understandingly and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Come. I'll show you to your hut."

  We walked in silence through the village. The others were still singing, and someone had started playing an instrument I didn't recognize. The path wound through the trees, away from the celebration, into a cluster of spruces weighed down with snow.

  My hut sat off to the side, almost as if it had been waiting for me. Inside was a low bed made of furs and a small fireplace, the flames still glowing softly.

  "Sleep well," Amelia said. "Try to ignore the music."

  "I'll do my best."

  She closed the door behind her, leaving me alone.

  The silence in the room was almost deafening after the noise outside. The fire crackled gently in the corner, and I just stood there for a moment, still.

  What am I even doing here? I should be in my own bed. Mom... Zoe...

  But there was no bed at home anymore. No Zoe. No Mom. Only my dad—who thought I was dead.

  I pulled off my boots and crawled into the furs. The scent of smoke and hide surrounded me, but it was warm. Safe, almost. I turned onto my side, closed my eyes.

  I didn't belong here any more than I belonged back home

  .

  And yet... something in Sacra's eyes, in Sac and the others' presence, made it feel... a little less foreign.

  I closed my eyes.

  And this time, I fell asleep without dreaming.