A Therian's Trail: Ch. 24 Book 3

Instructions

The flower crown was ready. We had made it with lavender, daisy, poppy, and rose flowers. Bone held it up in the sunlight and smiled. "Perfect!" she hugged me tightly. "Go give it to him," I nodded to Aspen, who was running around in the field. Bone took a deep breath before trotting off after him with the crown behind her back. "Hey, Aspen!" she called. Aspen skidded to a halt, snapping back to reality. "Oh, hi, Bone!" Aspen yipped. "Watcha got?" Bone blushed, pulling out the flower crown. "It's for you," she grinned. "Silver and I made it." Speechless, Aspen stood stone-still as Bone placed the crown on his head. "How do I look?" Aspen whispered. "Beautiful," Bone replied and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. I smiled to myself as the two lovebirds hugged. Ava, who had been working on her bobcat mask in the den, nudged my shoulder. I winked back at her. <><><><><><><><><><> The days passed quickly after the fight with Garnet. We mostly chilled in the den, going for walks and stargazing. I couldn't get rid of the sickening feeling that something was wrong with the wolf. One night, I couldn't help but worry, so I stood, stepping over the sleeping bodies and racing into the field. How do I summon him? He would always come at random times. I clutched my head, staring at the stars. "Please," I murmured. "Come." Nothing. Tears threatened to pour. I fiddled with my amethyst, the one Shadow had given me. That's when I felt a warm sensation in my chest. "W-what?" I gripped my body. Was my heart coming out, like when I had to fight Autumn in the forest fire? Instead, the amethyst glowed. It shot out of my hand and levitated in the air. The field disappeared. <><><><><><><><><><><> My eyes fluttered open. I was standing in the Realm of Stars. "Hello?" I called. "Anyone here?" A breeze swept over the starry meadow. The long, silver grasses stirred, revealing a figure moving through. As it crept closer, a twinge in my chest told me this wasn't the wolf. The mist that had formed around me began to fade, as the wolf had in the field. The shadow stalked closer... Garnet!? <><><><><><><><><><><><> "GARNET!?" I gasped as the German Shepherd therian rose to his full height. "Silver. I was expecting you," he smirked. "E-expecting me?" I stepped back, but the darkness pushed me up to him. I shook off my fear, staring him down. "Where is the wolf?" I demanded. "Oh, him," Garnet rolled his eyes as if the thought hadn't even occurred. "I'm sure you'll find out eventually." Worry gnawed at my heart. "As for you," Garnet glanced behind his shoulder, then nodded towards me. "This isn't your turf anymore." Darkness crept over me, blurring my surroundings until I was back in my field. I collapsed into the grass, pounding the dirt. "No!" I screamed. "No..." If Garnet was in the Realm of Stars... then that means.... The wolf! I stood, brushing grass from my pants and racing towards the mountain.