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Without a second glance, I hopped away, my furry paws barely making a sound on the pristine temple floor. My heart pounded as I moved silently past my friends, who remained unaware of the escape plan I was trying to enact.
Or so I thought.
As I reached the threshold of the chamber, a low growl rumbled through the air, sending shivers down my spine. I turned to see Callan, his panther form sleek and powerful, his eyes fixed on me with a mix of concern and determination. He had caught the faintest scent of my rabbit form, and there was no deceiving his keen senses.
In an instant, I was off, darting through the doorway and into the forest beyond. My little bunny legs carried me faster than any ordinary rabbit could hope to go. Oliver’s shouts followed me as I sped away, but I was determined to outpace them. I was headed nowhere in particular, just needing to create space between me and my problems.
The world became a blur of green and brown as I raced through the woods, my heart pounding in my chest. I was a streak of white against the backdrop of nature, my instincts guiding me deeper into the forest as I dove and twisted onto paths I knew Callan wouldn’t be able to follow with his much larger size.
I couldn't afford to look back. The disappointment of not regaining my memories still weighed heavily on me, but right now, all that mattered was putting distance between me and the temple, and my persistent pursuers.
I came to a panting stop in what seemed like a secluded patch of the forest. My little rabbit heart raced, and I couldn't help but reflect on the weight of disappointment that hung over me like a storm cloud. Not being able to reclaim my stolen memories felt like a crushing blow, a cruel twist of fate.
I sank down onto my fluffy haunches and let out a long, weary sigh.Well, isn't this just fantastic?I tittered to myself.
Where the fuck was this ring? It was as if I had played a twisted game of hide and seek with my own memories, and I was losing at every turn. Guilt gnawed at me as I considered the implications of not having that ring. The realm suffered under my family's rule, their indifference allowing towns to languish in poverty while they reveled in their opulence.
I knew that they would never stop coming for me, never stop chasing me. It was a relentless pursuit that showed no mercy. I worried about the safety of my pack back in Clover, especially about Lily and Wolfe. What would happen to them if Cas came for them? He didn’t know any of this; he thought I had the ring.
The only thing standing between the Queen and carrying out her plot.
As I sat there, surrounded by the comforting embrace of the forest, I knew I couldn't stay in this melancholic reverie for long. There was too much happening, and even if I couldn't regain my memories, I had a duty to protect those I cared about and try and figure out where I hid the ring.
I was alone in the forest, my thoughts echoing in the solitude when suddenly, I felt a warm touch on my furry back. It was Callan, his panther form melding with mine, and I could sense the concern in his touch.‘Rowan, are you crazy? Why did you run off like that? You could have gotten yourself killed.’
I felt a pang of guilt as I responded, my thoughts reaching out to him in the way only shifters could.‘I needed some space,’I admitted, my mental voice filled with a mixture of sadness and frustration. ‘I couldn't face them, not after what Prim said.’
Callan's presence in my mind was a comforting one, and he tried to soothe my unease. ‘You can’t get your memories back.’ His mental voice was calm and stoic, practically reading my mind.‘We'll figure this out together.’
I nuzzled against his panther form, feeling the warmth of his fur against mine. I shouldn’t have let myself, but I couldn’t resist. ‘I know,’I replied softly. ‘But I just . . . I don't have any answers, Callan. I don't know where the ring is, and I feel so guilty that I can't stop my family from causing more harm.’
Callan's mental touch remained steady as he said, ‘We'll find a way. We won’t rest until this is over. I promise.’
With a deep breath, I pushed away my worries, focusing on the present moment. ‘I just needed a moment to catch my breath,’ I admitted, feeling a bit more composed.‘Let's head back before they get too worried.’
Callan withdrew his touch, and together, we began the journey back to where our friends waited, their shouts of concern echoing through the forest. As we made our way through the dense undergrowth, I couldn't help but marvel at the fact that I had finally managed to shift on my own. It was a small victory amidst the chaos, but it was enough to give me a glimmer of hope for what lay ahead.
* * *
We revertedto our human forms, the lingering adrenaline from our earlier encounter still pulsing through our veins, quickly dressing. My dagger was securely fastened to my hip. We had retreated to the familiar depths of the caves, with no further attacks or threats lurking in the shadows. It appeared that Prim had indeed fulfilled her promise by sending our enemies away, and Finn had used his magic to reinforce the tunnel for added security.
Seated in a circle, we collectively pondered our next course of action. Nia, Oliver, Callan, Finn, and I engaged in a forlorn discussion, tossing ideas back and forth.
My frustration was evident in my voice as I spoke first. "We need to find that damned ring, but where do we even start? It could be hidden anywhere in this realm, and we don't have a single lead."
“It could be in either realm, even. We just don’t know,” Nia added.
Oliver nodded, his thoughtful expression mirroring my own concerns. “Directly confronting the Queen and Cas would be too risky. They have an entire army at their disposal, and now they're aware of our presence."
Callan's gaze was fixed on the cave floor as he weighed our options. "We can't stay here, Rowan," he finally stated, his voice somber. "This realm holds nothing for you, especially now that we know retrieving your memories is impossible. You’re safer on the mortal side, where we have backup."
I let out a heavy sigh, coming to terms with the painful reality. Our initial mission had crumbled, and the peril we were in stared me in the face. "So, what's the plan?"
Oliver leaned back against the cave wall, his expression pensive. "Maybe it's time to consider returning through the portal to the Clover pack," he suggested. "We can assess the situation there, regroup, and determine our next steps."
Although it pained me to think about leaving the Faerie realm behind, it did seem like the most sensible choice. "Perhaps it's safer for us on the mortal side, at least for now," I reluctantly admitted. Guilt at leaving the people who lived so harshly to fend for themselves still wormed its way immediately into my heart.
Our group huddled together in the dimly lit cave, the decision to return to the Clover pack weighing heavily on our minds. I looked around at my Fae companions, “You don’t all have to come back with me. I know you have places to protect and people depending on you.”
