s like a ghost, her thoughts playing over the events of that fateful night nonstop. She still suffered from Zander

elt different now. She heard symphonies in the wind, the trees whispered secrets, and t

e needed time to herself following her "embarrassing display" at the celebration-a rumor she let circulate since she knew it would prevent others from investigating h

e first day was peaceful contemplation. Aria set up a simple campsite in a small space close to a bubbling brook. Sitting on the water's edge, she closed her eyes and focused on the fe

e trees. For the first time since her birthday, she felt calm. She would face wha

ing her as she strolled through it; she naturally avoided spiky shrubs and pits. She became drawn to a p

omething different. Closing her eyes, following her instincts, she pushed her palm hard against the trunk of an oak tree nearby. At first, nothing changed. Then Aria started to sense something. It pulsed like a faint heartbeat u

couldn't ignore what she had experienced. Eager to explore this new power, Aria experimented for the whole morning. She found that each tree and plant had its own vita

d through the woodland with new ease. It seemed the animals noticed her change too. Birds sang t

powers to make wildflowers grow in her path. For the first time since Zander's rejection, she felt very content and self-

apping behind her. As Aria whirled, her heart was thumping. She had never seen a wolf like the one standing at the edge of the clearing. It was gigantic, easily double the size of the biggest wolves in her

felt almost comforting, familiar. Aria moved forward gingerly and carefully. The wolf's ears twitched, but it didn't move to flee or attack. Now more assured, she took another step. Just a few steps away, she

tretched hand. Aria gasped when they touched. Like what she had experienced with the trees, but immensely more complex, she was overwhelmed by a rush

till buried in the thick fur of the wolf. She lifted her head to

ew seconds ago. Like his wolf form, he was big and robust and had the same arresting amber eyes and rich brown hair. His

e man said, "I am Thorne. And Aria, y

her name? And how had he managed to evolve without the suffering and effort she had alway

mile. "You, small one, are waking up. Rare and old strength permeates y

head. "I have no idea. I am

are gifts not seen in our kind for generations. The fact that you could

again. "You mean, the

e, there were. And should you be ready to

y?" Part of her wanted to run, to reach the security of her pack and the life she knew. But another part of her yearn

e asked, surprised by

a great lot about the actual nature of our people and your heritage. Are you prepared to part fro

f-one of low aspirations and obedience. Then she recalled the power she had sensed running through her hands when she spoke with

formed his looks from just beautiful to amazing. "

familiar howl that made her blood run cold ech

e," he said urgently, "now. Some would stop you from t

Thorne presented. She decided, though, when Zander's howl returned, this

to wolf with surprising ease. The only world Aria and Thorne had ever known vanished into the depths of the forest as the sounds