Caspian's Legacy: The Scent of Truth (book two)

chapter twenty-three

The golden sun came over the hills, bathing the clearing in its warm, inviting light. Oak yawned, stretching her arms above her head and flexing her toes. She felt rested for the first time in a few days. Beside her, Caspian stirred, rolling onto his back and blinking up at the bright sky. He let out a long yawn before sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Good morning," he grinned at her. "I hope you had a restful sleep."
"Thanks!" she yawned. "I did. How about you?"
Caspian nodded, stretching his arms above his head. "Not bad. Feel any better about finding the Tear of Luna?"
Oak hesitated, her golden eyes meeting his. "To be honest, I'm still not sure. But I do feel like we should give it a try. We have nothing else to lose, right?"
Caspian nodded solemnly. "You're right. We should gather the others and get started. The sooner we find it, the sooner we can bring it back and restore peace to our pack."
The rest of the pack slowly stirred, yawning and stretching as they awoke. The youngest wolves, still tired from their journey, were the last to join them. Oak and Caspian exchanged worried glances. They knew that this day would be difficult for them, but they also knew that they had to be strong for their pack.

Caspian's eyes scanned the hills in the distance as the sun rose higher into the sky. "Alright, everyone," he said, his voice strong and commanding. "We're going to search for the tear of Luna today. It's hidden somewhere out there, and we need to find it. We'll split into groups to cover more ground."

Soren and Aurora looked at each other with worried eyes but nodded in agreement. "We'll cover the north," Soren said, glancing at Oak. "You and Caspian can cover the south. And the rest of you can split up as you see fit." The other wolves nodded and began to disperse, each group heading off in a different direction. Oak and Caspian exchanged a final glance before setting off together, their feet padding quietly over the soft grass.

"We'll meet here after we cover more ground!" Caspian shouted; his voice echoed across the grassy plain, scaring off some crows. Oak nodded, feeling a knot form in her stomach as they began to walk. The air was cool and crisp, and the scent of flowers and grass tickled their noses. The sky was a brilliant blue, with only a few fluffy clouds drifting lazily overhead.

"Do you think it's safe to be in our human forms?" Oak asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced at Caspian, her golden eyes filled with worry. They had both shifted into their human forms so they could move faster and more quietly. The forest they were in was thick and dense, with towering trees that blocked out the sunlight, creating a dark, mysterious atmosphere.

Caspian always felt safe in his human form rather than his wolf form. He thought for a moment before answering Oak. "Yes, I think it's safe. We're faster and more agile this way. And our senses are just as sharp, if not sharper. Besides, we need to be quick if we're going to find the Tear of Luna." He paused, searching her eyes for any sign of reassurance. "Don't worry, Oak. I'll keep you safe."

Oak never really needed someone to protect her; she is in her 30s for Artemis's sake. Caspian is only sixteen; in reality, it was him that needed to be protected, not her. But she knew he meant well, and she trusted him. So she nodded, trying to put on a brave face. "Okay," she whispered, her eyes still filled with worry. "Let's keep moving."

Caspian nodded at her words, his expression serious. They continued to walk through the forest, their steps silent and careful. The air grew cooler and damper as they ventured deeper into the heart of the woods. The trees were taller and thicker here; their branches were intertwined to form a canopy overhead that blocked out most of the sunlight. The forest floor was carpeted with soft leaves and moss, making their footsteps nearly silent.

The pair felt their hairs stand on edge as they ventured deeper into the heart of the woods. The silence was deafening, only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves or the hoot of an owl far in the distance. The air became thick with tension, and they both found themselves constantly glancing over their shoulders, expecting danger to lurk around every corner.