Chapter 7 The Weight of Revelation

The first light of dawn broke over the forest as Elena stumbled back to her cabin, her legs shaky from the transformation. Her human form returned with the sunrise, leaving her exhausted and overwhelmed. Every nerve in her body tingled, her mind replaying the events of the night: the spectral wolf, the searing mark, and the moment she became one with her wolf.

The cabin door creaked open as Caleb stepped out, his face lighting up with relief when he saw her.

"Thank the moon, you're back!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Where have you been all night?"

Elena's voice trembled as she spoke. "I... I shifted, Caleb. I'm not dormant anymore."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "You shifted? How? When?"

"It happened in the forest," she said, sinking onto the porch steps. "The spectral wolf guided me. It said I had to let go of fear to awaken. And then... it just happened."

Caleb crouched beside her, his expression a mix of awe and concern. "Elena, do you realize what this means? You're connected to something much bigger than this pack. That wolf, the mark-this is all tied to the old legends. You could be the one they've been waiting for."

She shook her head, panic creeping into her voice. "I don't want to be part of a prophecy, Caleb. I just want to live a normal life."

"Normal isn't an option anymore," he said gently. "But you don't have to face this alone. I'll help you figure it out."

---

As the day wore on, Elena's mind swirled with questions. She avoided the other villagers, fearful they might notice the change in her. The mark on her palm, though faint in the daylight, still felt like a beacon of danger.

Later, she decided to visit Mira. Despite their strained relationship, Mira had always been deeply interested in werewolf lore. If anyone could help her understand the spectral wolf's prophecy, it was Mira.

When she reached Mira's cabin, she hesitated. The tension between them made this visit even harder, but Elena knew she couldn't do this alone.

Mira opened the door, her usual sharp expression softening with surprise. "Elena? What are you doing here?"

"I need your help," Elena said, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "It's about the spectral wolf."

Mira's eyes narrowed. "What do you know about the spectral wolf?"

Elena took a deep breath and told her everything: the mark, the visions, the transformation. Mira listened intently, her expression unreadable.

When Elena finished, Mira leaned back, her arms crossed. "You're part of the prophecy," she said bluntly. "The spectral wolf only appears to the chosen. If it's marked you, it means you're meant to lead."

Elena's stomach churned. "Lead what? I'm barely holding myself together."

Mira's gaze softened. "You'll figure it out. But you need to be careful. If the elders find out, they might see you as a threat to their power."

"Why would they see me as a threat?" Elena asked.

"Because the prophecy doesn't just talk about leadership-it talks about change. And change is dangerous to those who cling to control."

---

As night fell, Elena returned to her cabin, her mind heavy with the weight of Mira's words. The spectral wolf's mark wasn't just a sign of her transformation; it was a symbol of a destiny she never asked for.

But as she stared at the moonlit forest, a new determination began to stir within her. She didn't fully understand what lay ahead, but she knew one thing: she couldn't run from it anymore.

The wolf within her was awake, and it wasn't going to be silenced.

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