Serafine POV
Two days have passed by in a blur of exhaustion and silence. We move during the day, following the safe paths that the Hollowfang Raven scouts ahead of us. During the night, we rest in the deep forest follows. We stay hidden away using the heavy shadows and thick ferns that grow wild along the borderlands
I’m now traveling in my human form, my body is aching with every single step that take push through the pain, I’m determined not to be weak. The Silvermane hound keeps close but always in the tree line, moving like a silent ghost at my side
The raven stays above us, watching out for everything that’s happening. I know I could shift and run, but I don’t want to drew attention These lands don’t belong to packs. Places like this belong to those who have no place left
When the first sight of the outcasts settlement comes into view, I stop still and just stare. I never imagined it would be like this.
It’s not a sprawling city, but more of a cluster of weathered buildings that are tucked between towering evergreens that are jagged stone outcroppings. Smoke curls lazily from different chimneys, and the narrow streets of packed dirt wind between the homes and shops that lean unevenly against each other It’s like they were build with whatever was on hand at
the time.
The walls are patchwork, stone and wood, and some are covered in faded paint. Others are covered in vines that have been left to grow wild. It smells like wodosmoke, leather, oil and warm fresh baked bread.
People walk past me as I step into the outskirts of the settlement. Their heads are down, minds on their business. Some look fully human. Others have faint signs of their wolf lineage lingering, things such as sharp golden eyes, stronger builds, but I can tell instantly most are wolfless, either born that way or stripped of their wolves by choice. No one spares me more than a glance. There are no pack greetings, no deference to rank or title. It feels strange.
It’s nothing I expected to walk into. I keep my head low and my pace steady as I try to blend in. The Silvermane stays hidden in the shadows behind the buildings, trailing me unseen. The Hollowfang Raven is still flying high, watching the streets from above.
I walk past the small shops and homes, there’s a smithy with cracked stone walls, and clothes store with faded blue banners that hang from the roof. There’s also a baker, where the scent of warm bread makes me stomach twist painfully with hunger.
I have little food left, and no money. I have just the small amount of items that I stole from Xander’s pack but it’s not going to last long enough. I need somewhere to sleep and I need work if I am to stay unnoticed.
After wandering for what feels like hours, I finally stop in front of a simple building that is tucked at the edge of the central square. The stone steps of it are worn smooth by use, and the pain on the heavy wooden sign above the door is faded but still readable.
The Haven.
The words are carved deep, surrounded by a simple crest of intertwined branches and a crescent moon. The door stands open, almost welcoming, with warm light spilling into the street. I hesitate. The Hollowfang Raven lands on the nearby rooftop and cocks its head, watching me with that dark, knowing stare. It’s telling me to step inside and I know I need to. I take a breath and step inside while trying to hold down my nerves.
The room is bright and smells of herbs and dried flowers. I notice that shelves line the walls, each one is filled with blankets, bandages, and bottles of tinctures. There’s a small fire that is crackling in the hearth. I can’t see any fancy decorations or unnecessary luxuries, only practicality and comfort. It’s like everything is the basics, what you need to survive with, not what you need to live a luxurious life. A woman stands at the counter, sorting through folded clothes and she looks up as I enter.
She’s older, perhaps in her early fifties if I have to guess. Her silver–streaked black hair is braided tightly down her back. Her dark eyes study me carefully. It’s not with suspicion but with the kind of sharp awareness that comes from seeing too much.
She’s wearing simple clothes, loose trousers and a long tuni with a leather cord tied around her waist.
“Can I help you?” she asks calmly, her voice low and even.
I stand there frozen for a moment, unsure of w Successfully unlocked! fore I nod, clutching my pack tighter. “I’m…
looking for a place to stay. I just arrived.”
Her eyes narrow faintly, taking in my worn clothes, the dirt on my boots, the exhaustion on my face. “Not many come here without a reason. What’s yours?”
I swallow hard, I didn’t plan this part. I didn’t consider what to say if people asked me. I could lie. It would be safer. But the
10
Finding A Home
exhaustion in my chest and the burning weight of the last few days strip the words bare before I can thank ran from my father. Then from someone else who treated me just as badly I had nowhere else to g
Her expression softens slightly. She nods once. “You’re not the first. You won’t be the last the gestures to a nearby chair Sit Rest for a moment”
I do as she says, sinking down into the worn cushion with a grateful sigh. I needed this, just a seat, that isn’t the flose of broken trunk of a tree. The warmth of the fire is soothing after days of cold and running
The woman finishes folding the last of the clothes and then joins me the beans het in her chair, arme crossed “My name is Eliana. I run this place for those who have nowhere else I can give you a bed for a few nights and I can point you to places in the settlement that may be hiring But I’ll warn you now, out here, everyone works for their keep”
I nod quickly. “I’ll work. I don’t expect anything for free.”
“Good” She smiles faintly for the first time. “You’ll need that attitude”
She reaches behind her and pulls out a wom sheet of parchment, sliding it across the table to me. It lists places the smithy the tavern, a leatherworker’s shop, the healer’s hut, and several others. There’s a lot of places in close by which is good
“Start here,” she says. “Most of them need extra hands, especially with winter coming”
I nod again, fingers tracing over the list. My heart feels steadier now I have no pack, no home, no one to protect me anymore. But for the first time, I have choices.
The Hollowfang Raven calls softly outside, a low croak of approval. The Silvermane hound remains hidden, watching and waiting.
For the first time in my life, I think I might be free to decide my own path.
