EMILY'S POV
The morning sunlight filtered softly through the hotel curtains. I woke first, senses still sharp from the previous night. I could feel Grandma shifting beside me, careful but deliberate, as if every small movement was amplified through the room.
The four wolves stayed on the floor, still in human form, stretching and yawning quietly, respecting the space between us. Mason and Tyler were in another room, giving us the calm and quiet we needed.
Breakfast was a quiet affair at first. The smells of fresh bread and coffee filled the small hotel dining room, but tension lingered in the air. Soon, Tyler, Mason, Grandma, and the wolves gathered around the table. It was time to discuss the next move.
Grandma sipped her tea slowly, eyes steady. "I will stay behind," she said. "This village… my life is here. My magic can only stretch so far."
I reached for her hand. "I understand, Grandma. But what if the hunters come back and attack you."
She smiled faintly. "I can protect myself. But I cannot leave. I've been part of this land my whole life. My duty is here."
Tyler leaned back, crossing his arms. "Then we'll move fast and keep you safe from afar. We can't afford delays."
One of the female wolves, who had been quiet, spoke up. "The hunters will keep tracking the surge from last night. We need a safer base, somewhere outside their reach."
I nodded. "That's why Tyler suggested going to your village, right?" I asked, looking at him.
"Yes," he said. "It's more defensible. Fewer eyes, more allies we can trust."
Grandma set her cup down. "You will leave, but remember — secrecy is essential. Do not tell your parents anything yet. They must believe you are still here with me. A lie for now… for your safety."
I swallowed, nodding. "I'll do it."
The wolves shifted slightly closer to me, protective and alert. I felt their loyalty like a physical presence.
Breakfast ended with a silent understanding. Tyler and Mason would lead, the wolves would protect, and I would follow. Grandma would remain behind, keeping the village and the truth safe for now.
As we left the hotel, the morning light catching on the edge of the road, I felt a mix of fear and determination. The hunters were still out there, my powers were still unstable, but for the first time since the accident, I felt… ready.
We were moving. And this time, we were moving as a team.