The winds howled outside the pack hall, clashing violently with the laughter and music that had marked the early part of her birthday. As Maris stood in the midst of confusion, the weight of the cloaked figure's words hung heavily in her mind. She felt the pulse of energy from the pendant against her skin, its warmth steadying her nerves even while panic swirled around her.
Kylie’s hand gripped Maris’s tightly, her eyes darting around the hall as if trying to assess the impending danger. “What do we do?” she whispered urgently, the chill of fear creeping into her voice.
Maris didn't have a clear answer. She was still processing what the figure had said about being a key and sealing rifts. The idea of having such responsibility thrust upon her was overwhelming. Glancing over at her father
