~Aurora~

　　Twelve long hours later, after being questioned at cross land gates, we reached the outskirts of the forest. The Captain of our pack had announced that this is the farthest we can go, following the map I have drawn out of sheer memory.

　　"Alright then. Halt the jeeps here. We will go on foot." I announced. It was around dusk, the sun was setting. My men were preparing their gear as quickly as possible. We are a team of seventeen members, including Torin and Guard Captain.

　　Fifteen minutes of preparing ourselves later, I was checking my vest as it seemed to fit perfectly. I looked back up and caught gazes with the woman who was seemingly distraught at the commotion. It wasn't a commotion, but it must be overwhelming to stay around tough men who are more than prepared to give their lives for the pack today.

　　"The healers will stay with me in the formation. In front of me." I announced mindfully. That was the best tactic I could use at the moment.

　　"As you wish, Alpha Aurora." The Guard Captain acknowledged me as we then fell into formation.

　　Five men in front, four men at the back, two men on each side of our formation, and the healers with me and Torin in a diamond formation in front of me. This was the best formation which could get us through the night.

　　"We will have to walk on foot for an hour, due west." I announced, my voice reaching everyone. I held the map in my hands. It was easier if I was the one guiding it.

　　Soon, as dusk had taken over and the sun was completely out of sight, we took out our individual flashlights. It illuminated the path we were walking over. Hence, easier to fight off predators if they ever tried to attack us.

　　Half an hour or so later, Beta Torin wanted to hold a little conversation. I admit that all of us were a nervous wreck.

　　"Hey, Alpha…

　　I just realized that we have not formed a mind link yet. The procedure is still pending. The elders will assist us with it."

　　"Right. I've only realized that just now. We will adhere to the norms and follow the procedure as soon as we get back home. If I'm not wrong, I remember dad and you forming the mind link in one hour." Beta Torin chuckled.

　　"That is because your dad and I have a great compatibility. He's a strong wolf with a stronger mindset. Wavelengths and other factors matter, don't they?"

　　"Right…"

　　Post this conversation, I was still under the impression that Beta Torin is the one I trusted the most.

　　A little more into the walking, I suddenly paused as I gasped. Oh lord…

　　This area. It was way too familiar. The revelation I had had begun between these two trees.

　　'Mom! Dad! I don't want to do this! I'm scared!'

　　My child version had been sobbing to my parents to take me back home. Dad came rushing in, his blueish grey eyes wanting me to trust him.

　　'Oh, Aurora. Please don't make this harder for us, little one. There is nothing to be scared of! Look! Look at this thing!' Said dad. Behind him, my mom held an apprehensive expression on her face. Yet, she kept her distance and watched us from afar. She had stationed herself behind a tree.

　　'Isn't it beautiful…?'

　　I had calmed down, comparatively. Dad gave me the artifact to hold onto. I looked at his face. He was smiling at me.

　　…That was the brief memory that flashed in my head.

　　I looked down at my hands, the map had fallen to the mushy floor of the forest. I…was trying to recollect the ivory, smooth texture of the artifact. Our pack's emblem was imprinted and carved into the ivory. It was one of the most mysterious pieces of article I've ever held so far. Or maybe, it's just my perception.

　　That's because I didn't really know what was inside it.

　　No one in this world knew what was inside the artifact…except for my parents.

　　At that moment, my determination to find that article and use its powers as a means of prophetic revelation to reveal the killers of my parents.

　　That's right.

　　I will use one of its powers to find the true face of the killer of my parents. I was so sure, so sure that it was a murder and not an accident. If it was revealed as an accident, maybe my mind would be at peace, at last.

　　"...Alpha Aurora!" Getting myself out of the trance, when someone was shaking me profusely by my shoulders, I gasped as I stepped back into reality. I gulped heavily, looking around myself.

　　"I- I'm sorry."

　　"It's alright, dear Aurora." It was Beta Torin who stepped in and took the place of the Guard Captain, Captain had shook me to bring me out of the trance, apparently.

　　"Do I take this as an indication that we have gotten close?" Beta Torin immediately followed you with a question.

　　"Yes. Incredibly close."

　　Seeing how disconfigurated I was being, Beta Torin quickly patted my shoulder.

　　"You're going to be alright, Aurora. We are here to protect our Alpha." The healers nodded along with Torin. Their strength, when combined with mine, will be magnificent. We could even defeat the formidable witch who reigns these lands!

　　"Come on. Guide us." I didn't realize I was being pushed by Torin to keep up with the dynamic. I was under the impression that Torin wanted to hurry things up for a reason. And the reason being at night, this place turns into the most treacherous nightmare. Our activity must have disturbed the land animals anyway. I don't want any more creatures to rise to the surface. The ones being land krakens.