When We Were Young

[Mason's POV]

I stood and stared into the glowing portal that Talon and the others had created. Despite telling myself everything would be okay, I couldn't stop the sense of dread that overcame me.

"You're wasting time." Talon snapped, stepping beside me. "I've already told you that your time is limited."

"I got it." I sighed, bracing myself.

Taking a deep breath, I dove forward into the portal.

Immediately, bright balls of light began to swirl around me, growing closer and closer until they were encasing my body. It felt like my very flesh was being burned where they touched.

Biting back the curses that wanted to escape, I endured until finally, the lights released me.

When they cleared, I found myself standing on the all-too familiar training pitch of my packgrounds. It was scattered with bodies and feathers. It didn't take long for me to realize just when this was and spurring me into action.

Up ahead, I could just make out Danica's light exploding from her wolf. Next to come wou