Chapter 106 Paths Diverge

The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow across the forest as I stood at the edge of the Ashwood pack’s territory. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze and the distant call of birds were the only sounds that accompanied me. It was a quiet moment, but the silence carried a weight—a sense of finality that I couldn’t quite shake. Margaret stood a few feet away, her silhouette framed against the fading light. She had always been a mystery to me, a lone coyote who had chosen to stay with us despite her independence. But now, it seemed that the time had come for her to walk her own path once more. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the swirl of emotions in my chest. "So, this is really it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Margaret turned to face me, her expression calm but resolute. Her golden eyes, always so piercing and wise, softened slightly as she looked at me. "Yes, Jessica. It’s time for me to go." "Why now?" I asked, struggling to understand. "You’v