3

Head in a fog

Golden Summit

Samson

My brothers and I have been on a strict schedule all week to prepare for our alpha ceremony on Sunday. From meeting with allies to discussing enemy packs. Brushing up on the laws of the pack and speaking with pack members individually to assure them of our competence to lead.

It’s Friday, and I had planned to train all day. I woke at 4:45 and changed into shorts and sneakers. I started by running the territory. I ran up and down every road where the pack cottages are, then went for the border. After about 15 minutes of running the border, I make it to Culloden Woods. The sun is starting to rise, and the orange hues glisten in the woods. Even then, it doesn’t cut through the thick fog. It just illuminates it, giving the effect of a fire with smoke.

I walk forward, right to the edge of our territory, toward the woods. Just as I am about to cross it into the woods, a hand grabs my arm and yanks me back roughly. I turn and snarl, only to be met with my baby sister Reagan’s doe eyes. They are pale blue, like her mother's. No, she doesn’t have the same mother as us; ours passed away giving birth. Her mother is our father's friend; he refuses to make another Luna, so they just stick to friends with benefits. Luckily, she can’t have any more kids now.

I yank my arm away from her and turn back to the woods.

"You’re going to go in, Sam. You can’t leave the territory; Dad will be angrier than he already is." She sternly says I feel her eyes on the back of my head.

"What has his pants in a knot now?"

"You’re supposed to all go at 6 for your fitting at 7; it’s already 6:30; you won’t make it now."

Well, shit.

"Just hurry back and shower; you smell like a pig." She turns and walks back to the house.

I stare at the woods a second longer, then head back to face another day with my overbearing dad.

---

Kendrick

It’s Friday night finally, and after a hectic, stressful morning, I could think of nothing better than a night swim. Dad drilled us all morning about how irresponsible it was for Sam to forget our appointment. Annoying, I know, but after finally getting to the tailor and finishing our final fitting, he calmed down a bit. After that, we had lunch with a few business partners who happened to be in our territory at the time. It was such a long, boring day.

When we finally got home, it was already dark. Cyrus and Duron decided to turn in for the night like responsible future alphas. Sam and I decided that we were going to swim in the pool. We raced each other upstairs and changed into our trunks. We both stepped out of our rooms at the same time. He quirked an eyebrow at me, then took off running down the stairs. I run out on the balcony off of the game room and jump over the edge, diving down into the pool. I come up for air and look at the door just as Sam makes it out.

"I win." He laughs and cannonballs at me, splashing me. After about an hour of senseless fighting and splashing in the pool, we decide to get out and turn in for the night since we have to be up early once more. I go up to my room and immediately go to the shower.

The hot water warms my chilled skin, as it is a crisp fall night. For some reason, my heart hasn’t stopped racing since I returned home. I thought I was just excited to swim, but this is something else. My wolf seems on edge for some reason, and it sends goosebumps down my spine.

What’s wrong, Phoenix?

He ignores me and continues to pace, driving me insane. I turn off the shower and get out, barely drying off. I throw on pants and a T-shirt, not bothering with shoes, and head out of my room. I leave the Alpha Manor, walking God knows where. I figured I might as well stop fighting my body with whatever was happening. My wolf stopped pacing but was now at attention with his ears perked. I watch my feet as they get wet from the dewy grass. My feet stop, and I snap my head up to see that I’m facing Culloden Woods. It’s completely silent except for my breath. Wait, and three others?

I snap my head to the right to see Cyrus and Duron staring at the woods, and when I look to the left, Sam is staring right at me. I look at the woods once more to see complete darkness lurking within the trees. The fog is thick.

"Why are we here?" Samson asked all three of us to look at him.

"I don’t know what’s wrong, but Percival is uneasy," Duron states that he is looking back to the woods.

I look at both Cyrus and Duron as they just continue to stare into the woods. Into the deep abyss for reasons unknown.

---

Fusilis

Andricia

I run through the woods, dodging trees as they approach. The visibility is always low, but I know the woods so well that I never hit trees. I’ve been on this path since I was 14, and it never changes. It always takes me exactly 20 minutes to make my way around and back to the pack house. I continue sprinting through the woods while my beast naps as usual.

One day I should venture out farther to see what lies beyond my woods. I don’t know how far they stretch; I have never tried to reach the edge. Maybe someday I will just do something different than my old routine. My beast bolts upright suddenly out of the blue with her ears perked up. I lose my focus and trip on a branch that isn’t ordinarily there. I begin to fall forward and immediately tuck and roll to avoid face-planting. Once I am back on my feet, I brush myself off.

What’s gotten into you?

I turn to my right and see nothing but darkness and thick fog. If I just start running that way and don’t stop, what will I find? Is there an end to these woods, or do they go on for as far as I can make it on foot? Why do I have an undying urge to run and never look back?

"You are late?" Kira links me worriedly.

I look at my Apple Watch and see that it has been 30 minutes instead of my usual 20. I instantly turned and ran in the opposite direction. My beast huffs and sits down, annoyed for some reason, as I head directly back to the pack house. When I get back, it is silent, as almost everyone has gone to bed. I make my way up the stairs to shower off my sweat and dirt. My beast lets out a slight whimper and lies down once more.

What’s wrong with you?

No response. She blocks our connection with a huff, leaving me in the dark as always. I finish my shower and dry off completely. I decided not to wrap my hair today and let my wet, curly locks fall down my back. I walk over to the window, looking out in the direction that I just came from. Once more, I see nothing but darkness. If only I could safely light the forest to see what mysteries lie behind the darkness.

---

Golden Summit

Duron

We all stand enchanted by the woods, unable to peel our eyes away. Our wolves are doing the same as if they are waiting for something. It’s completely silent, though nothing happens; we just wait.

A slight breeze wisps across our faces and all of our eyes go wide. It smells like a smoldering forest as if the woods are actually on fire. For some reason, my wolf immediately drops drool from his mouth. My heart is racing out of my chest, but I don’t know why. If I just go into the woods, what will I find? I go to take a step forward, but a voice brings me back.

"What are you all doing?" Our father's voice booms from behind us, pulling us all from the trance. We whip around, noticing he is still in his suit from today. He hasn’t turned in for the night yet like we have, as we all stand mostly in pajamas.

"You have to be up early for the last preparations of the ceremony, so get to bed now!" His tone is final and leaves no space for questions.

He turns and walks toward the alpha manor with us in tow. I look over my shoulder one last time at the enchanting Culloden Woods.