Awakening The Silver Wolf

RAVENNA POV 

I sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window as the landscape shifted around us. The road stretched ahead, winding through dense woods, the kind that seemed to stretch endlessly, thick with trees and the scent of earth and pine. 

Mia, focused on the road, hummed softly to the music playing in the background. The hum of the tires on the asphalt was calming, the rhythmic sound blending with the soft murmur of the car's engine.

We passed the edge of the forest, and the trees began to thin out, revealing a quaint town nestled in the valley below. The buildings were charming—old stone cottages with ivy climbing the walls, colorful flower boxes hanging from window sills, and cobblestone streets that curved around like a maze. 

Why does every house in this place look old? It was as if the territory was built in the old era.

It felt like something out of a dream, so picturesque and peaceful, it seemed untouched by time—nah, that was a lie. Time touched everywhere. 

Mia slowed the car, her eyes scanning the town ahead. "This place is beautiful," she said, a hint of awe in her voice. "I had only come here twice before, and I was young." 

I smiled, leaning forward to get a better look. The town looked like the kind of place that might exist in a forgotten corner of a storybook—a place where secrets lingered in the shadows and the air was thick with stories waiting to be told.

Darius' pack was beautiful. 

We pulled into a small parking lot near the center of town and got out, stretching our legs after the drive. As we walked through the town, we passed artisan shops and small cafés with outdoor seating, their tables adorned with checkered tablecloths and delicate china cups. The smell of fresh-baked bread and brewing coffee wafted in the air.

"Let's grab some supplies for the hike," Mia suggested, glancing around. "Maybe a couple of snacks, some water, and a map."

"I don't know how to hike," I admitted, my gaze drifting to a nearby store.

"There's always a first time for everything," Mia said. "And hiking isn't that hard, you'll see."

I nodded and followed her into the shop, the door's bell chiming as we entered. The shop was cozy, shelves packed with everything we might need for our camping trip—dried fruits, trail mix, and canteens. 

I was as broke as a vending machine after payday—completely emptied out, with nothing but a few crumpled receipts and broken dreams left inside—so Mia was doing the paying. 

Yeah, that was how broke I was. I needed to get a job. 

As we gathered our things, I noticed a local woman behind the counter, her eyes warm as she offered us a friendly smile. "You girls hiking in the mountains?" she asked in a soft, melodic voice.

"Yeah," Mia answered, placing a few items on the counter. "We're camping for the weekend. Do you have any recommendations for trails?"

The woman nodded, her smile deepening. "You can't go wrong with any of the mountain trails. But if you're looking for something a bit more secluded, the Old Pine Trail is perfect. Not too many people go there, so you'll have the forest to yourselves. Just keep an eye out for the fog—it rolls in fast in these parts."

I offered the woman a small smile. "Sounds perfect," I said. 

With our bags full of supplies, we left the shop and wandered around the town a little longer. The streets were busier, the sun climbing higher into the sky. 

As we walked, we paused to admire the old architecture, the cobblestone streets winding through the town, and the distant peaks that loomed over it all, like silent guardians.

"This territory is an old one," Mia said, looking up at the building. "One of the territories that rose with the wolves. According to what our elders tell us, this territory, the land, the pack, have been here for five centuries."

"Five hundred years," I breathed, awe filling my voice.

I knew this territory was old but I would never have guessed it was that old. The other territories, including my old pack, have been around for maybe about three or two centuries. 

The old territories were rare and kept to themselves. This pack did the opposite of keeping to themselves. 

"Yeah. Five hundred years," Mia said, her gaze distant. "We've come a long way in this pack." It was something to be proud of, why then did Mia's voice hold a hint of sadness?

We made our way back to the car, the town fading behind us. We loaded everything we brought into the almost filled booth and we were back on the road.

***

We have left the towns and small villages behind and now we are deep into the territory, the mountains coming into view.

When I had first seen the mountains, I had opened my mouth for close to a minute until Mia poured water into it, almost making me choke.

God, the mountains were beautiful. They were so towering that a fog seemed to envelop them. The sky above appeared even bluer, and I could almost feel the air would be more refreshing up there.

If there were such a thing as superpowers, I'd wish for the ability to teleport—just so I could reach the mountains instantly.

The journey felt endless, and even though it seemed to drag on, we still made a stop at a spring we found along the way, taking a quick swim to cool off.

We couldn't resist it. The water looked so refreshing. I did indeed see the bottom. 

The car rumbled to a stop at the base of the mountain, the engine sputtering as Mia cut the ignition. I opened the door, stepping out into the crisp mountain air. The scent of pine and fresh earth filled my lungs, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, taking it all in.

I was right: the air was fresher here.

"Well, this is it," Mia said, grinning as she pulled her backpack from the backseat. "The hike's just ahead."

I nodded, slinging my pack over one shoulder. The mountain loomed ahead, its towering peaks dusted with the last remnants of snow. We both looked up, the path ahead disappearing into the dense forest of towering trees and rocky outcrops.

"Have you ever hiked here before?" I asked. 

"Nope," she answered, shaking her head. "I've hiked in other places but not here. That woman back at that shop knew her facts. There's no one here and that's perfect. More than perfect." 

I hummed as we picked out what we'd need for hiking. We couldn't carry much, otherwise, we'd come falling, our heads meeting the ground first. 

I shuddered at the image that played into my mind of us falling to our death. I shook my head and pushed that image far, far away. 

"Let's leave the car here," Mia said, glancing back at the vehicle. "We'll come back for it later when we're ready to camp."

"Would it be safe here?" I asked. "Darius will have our heads if something were to happen to his 'baby'."

A shiver went through my body at the mention of Darius. God, I needed to get my shit together.

"It'll be safe," Mia assured, already walking ahead. "No one comes here."

We started walking, the gravel crunching beneath our boots as we made our way toward the trailhead. The excitement of the hike and the adventure ahead made the air feel lighter like anything was possible in this wild, untamed place.

This was my first time hiking. I might fall and bash my head on a rock, or break my leg, but who gives a fuck?

Definitely not me.