The Silverwood Legacy

Chapter Eighteen: The Meadow's Call

After the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Rowan felt a familiar pull. The meadow in the woods had become her sanctuary, a place where she could escape the growing pressures of her new reality. Today, she carried with her the shifter book—the one that listed all the animal shifters and their clans. She hoped it would offer some clarity as her birthday approached.

The walk to the meadow was peaceful, the air crisp with the scent of pine and earth. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Rowan felt a sense of calm wash over her, as if the woods were calling out to her, offering solace and strength.

Reaching the meadow, she found her usual spot by the pond and sat down, letting the serenity of the place envelop her. She opened the book, its pages filled with ancient illustrations and descriptions of various shifters. As she turned the pages, she wondered which form she might take. A wolf? A panther? The endless possibilities both excited and unnerved her.

Unbeknownst to Rowan, Alex had followed her from school. He had noticed her slipping away, a determined look on her face, and his curiosity had gotten the better of him. Keeping a respectful distance, he watched as she settled by the pond, engrossed in her book. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, sensing that there was more to Rowan than met the eye. Deep down, Alex wondered if Rowan could be his mate, but he kept that thought to himself. They wouldn't know for sure until she shifted.

Rowan flipped through the pages, her fingers tracing the intricate drawings of each shifter form. She imagined what it would be like to transform, to feel the power and grace of an animal within her. The thought filled her with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The book described the unique abilities of each form, the strengths they brought, and the responsibilities they carried.

As she continued reading, she felt a presence nearby. Glancing up, she saw Alex standing at the edge of the meadow, watching her. Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected to see anyone, let alone Alex. She waved him over, feeling a strange mixture of embarrassment and curiosity.

"Hey," she greeted as he approached. "What are you doing here?"

Alex shrugged, his usual confident demeanor softened by a genuine interest. "I saw you heading this way and thought I'd check in on you. This place seems special to you."

Rowan nodded, closing the book. "It is. It's where I come to think, to figure things out."

Alex sat down beside her, his eyes catching sight of the book in her lap. "Is that the shifter book your father left for you?"

"Yeah," Rowan admitted. "I'm trying to learn as much as I can before my birthday. There's so much I don't know."

Alex's gaze softened, his expression thoughtful. "You'll figure it out, Rowan. You're stronger than you realize. And you're not alone in this."

Rowan felt a warmth spread through her at his words. Despite the mystery surrounding Alex and his group, she felt a growing connection to him, an inexplicable trust. She hoped that, with time, she would understand more about her heritage, her future, and the bond she felt with Alex.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Rowan asked, "Alex, have you shifted yet?"

Alex nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, I have."

"What are you?" Rowan's eyes widened with interest.

"I'm a werewolf," Alex replied. "We're a bit different than shifters. We usually shift at the young age of 13. My parents are the Alpha and Luna of our clan. Our friends are also werewolves. Matt is the Beta, Luke is the Omega, and Sarah and Emily are Guardians."