Chapter fifty three

My paws pounded the soft earth of the forest floor, a rhythmic drumming that echoed through the silent trees. "Faster, faster," the mantra played on a loop in my mind, urging me further, deeper into the sanctuary of the ancient woods. The wind whipped through my fur, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine needles, a stark contrast to the sterile air of the palace.

Every muscle in my powerful wolf form screamed with exertion, but there was a joy in the effort, an exhilaration that surprised me. "So, I wasn't useless after all," the thought flickered across my consciousness, bringing a sudden sting of tears to my eyes. All the years of feeling weak, a burden on my family – they seemed to melt away in the face of this newfound strength.