Chapter Twelve – Edge of the Trial
The forest edge was alive with shadows, sunlight filtered unevenly through dense canopy. Today wasn't just a walk—it was the first exam.
Gabriel's voice had carried over the clearing earlier that morning. "This trial is about observation, decision-making, and teamwork. Points are awarded for completing tasks safely, demonstrating awareness, and anticipating challenges. Remember: hesitation costs more than a misstep."
Claire had added, serious, less playful than usual: "I won't be guiding you step by step. You have your instructions. Use them. Trust yourselves—and each other."
Alex led the way, restless energy coiling in her limbs. "We've got this," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
Anna's green eyes swept over the twisted roots, uneven terrain, and shallow ravines ahead. Her hand brushed faintly over the wolf mark beneath her collarbone, a silent acknowledgment of instinct and calculation. She didn't move first; she watched, calculated, and plotted the safest path.
Raymond trailed them, muscles coiled and shoulders tense. Protective. Silent. Steady.
Their first obstacle appeared: a gully with slippery moss-covered rocks. Alex's impulse was to jump; Anna crouched, precise. "Step here first," she instructed quietly. "Test the footing, then move carefully. Hesitate less but don't rush."
Alex blinked, then grinned. "Okay, so decisive. I love it."
Raymond went first, testing the ground for them. Alex followed with flair, while Anna's movements were deliberate and controlled. Each step earned points in the back of their minds, invisible but vital: observation, foresight, teamwork.
As they moved deeper, small challenges tested their coordination: fallen logs, twisted roots, sudden drops. Alex's bravery carried them across risky jumps; Anna's strategy minimized risk; Raymond's strength ensured safety. Every task was part of the exam, even if it wasn't written on paper.
Finally, they paused at a clearing, a natural checkpoint of sorts. Alex leaned against a tree, grinning. "We're alive. So far, so good."
Raymond ruffled her hair with a smirk. Anna nudged Alex's hands with her elbow, soft and amused, letting out a quiet laugh. The bond between them—reckless, careful, steadfast—was as strong as ever.
The forest remained quiet, but not empty. Anna's wolf mark pulsed beneath her collarbone, subtle but alive, echoing the forest's awareness of them. She didn't speak. She didn't need to.
Points were being tallied, lessons were being learned, instincts sharpened. The edge of the trial had been crossed, but the exam had only just begun.