The Last Spirit Wolf (Elena Norwood)

-Vera-

"V, it's time to go," Noah kisses my forehead.

I groan.

"Ten more minutes," I say, twisting in his arms to face away from him.

He chuckles.

"Come on, we can't be late, and you still have to pack."

"Ugh," I say, feeling every inch of my body heavier than I should.

We slept for a good four to five hours since we skipped dinner, but I still feel so heavy and tired.

Unreluctantly. I get off the bed as Noah fetches my duffel bag.

"I feel like I *just* unpacked that." I say, groaning again.

I proceed to pack up *again* a few clothes and underwear. I don't expect this visit to be eventful. and even if it is, I have always had Sofia's wardrobe available to me so I decide to pack light.

In only ten minutes, I am fully packed but not at all ready to go. I lay on the bed again, closing my eyes.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" Noah comes over me, placing his hand on my forehead, "you don't seem to have a fever."

"I don't, I'm just really tired," I reply, not opening my eyes.

"We could postpone the trip if you're not feeling up for it..." he says.

My eyes shoot open.

"No, absolutely not. I'm up. We're going."Content is © by NôvelDrama.Org.

I change into my pants, loose t-shirt and sports shoes. Most of the running will be done in our beast forms so I'm not concerned with my outfit right now.

After quickly brushing my teeth and splashing some cold water on my face, I'm good to go.

"Ready?" Noah asks, carrying my duffel bag on his shoulder for me.

"Ready." I say, at least trying to sound energetic.

Noah creaks the door open, checking if there is anybody in the hall. When the coast is clear, we exit the room and make our way up to the library, where we will enter the tunnels that lead to the back of the Castle. Once we get there, we slowly push the massive doors open and enter.

Thankfully, Elden made sure to have every scholar and apprentice out of the library for us to

leave unnoticed.

"Good, we're all here," I hear Eli off to the corner of the library.

As we approach, I see the other warriors that will accompany us.

"Vera, this is Emmett, Rowan, Ryker, Colt, and Arlo; Ezra you already know. These are some of our best warriors and will keep you safe if it comes down to it. They are all aware of how crucial the success of this plan is for the continuation of this Kingdom," Noah says. I nod at them, but they remain quiet. This is them in mission mode and I'm not about to throw them off.

"And gentlemen, I know I don't have to tell you how important it is that you return Vera to me, unharmed," he says, looking at them directly.

Some of his aura seeps through his comment and the one named Rowan gulps; they all nod, otherwise unfazed.

Elden, who has been listening to everything off to the side, comes closer to me and takes my hand, placing a small wooden box in it.

"For good luck," he says, his eyes hiding an ulterior meaning that I can't quite figure out.

I frown at him, but before I can ask him anything, Eli speaks.

"Wonderful, pleasantries are over. Let's get a move on," he says, opening the fake door to the tunnel.

One by one, each warrior enters the tunnel, carrying a torch to help guide the way; we have to go in in a line since we wouldn't fit otherwise.

I'm the last one to go in, but before I step inside, I turn towards Noah.

He smiles at me reassuringly as he comes closer to me to hug me. I hug him back.

I get on my tippy-toes to kiss him on the lips as his hand rests on my cheek.

Eli clears his throat and both Noah and I roll our eyes.

"I'll be right here, waiting for you to come back," he says, handing me my duffel bag.

I smile at him and turn towards the tunnel, Eli shutting the door behind me.

I take a deep breathe, and begin walking behind the warriors.

After walking for about half an hour, the line suddenly stops.

"Uh," I hear Ezra.

We have reached the end of the tunnel.

"Oh," I say, understanding what's going on.

For someone who is unfamiliar with these fake doors, it can be hard to understand how they work.

I squeeze through the line to make my way to Ezra.

"Here," I say, pushing the door forward until I hear the distinct 'click."

The door opens and we are met by chilly night air. One by one, the warriors leave the tunnel behind and I shut the door once the last one is out.

Without a second thought, I go into Elden's green house, strip, and switch to my wolf. We have no time to lose. I close my eyes, completely naked, and summon my wolf. For some reason, she's harder to reach than usual; I thought I was getting better at this. After several seconds, she comes to the surface.

*Are you ready?* I ask, putting my hand on her cheek gently.

She nods and closes her eyes.

Soon, I feel the tell-tell eruption all over my body where she is taking over.

When I return to where the warriors are, they have all already switched to their lycan form. When they see me approaching, they each nod at me.

It feels good to be in my wolf form, despite how apprehensive I may feel about it amongst people I don't know. Not to mention, I can't gauge their reaction to me in their lycan form.

I nod at them and quickly we start running, rounding up the Castle just as Ezra told me.

The ground beneath our paws feels incredible as we run and the chilly wind on our face is amazingly liberating. It's in this form that we feel the freest.

We run for a few miles until we have rounded up the Castle and we are at the entrance of the forest.

We pause for a moment, looking back at the Castle, feeling Noah moving about inside.

*I promise I'll be back soon.* I think to myself while thinking of Noah.

My wolf nods, finally turning away before the others get too far ahead.

The countdown has begun...