THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION

POV: Callum Wells

I heard the others converse, make plans, and feel hopeful. I felt ill from it. How were they so innocent? Calm amid the packs? Saving us all with the powers of the children? That story was a fable.

But as the evening went on, I was plagued by a persistent discomfort in my stomach. What if they were correct? What if there was an alternate route? I shook my head, attempting to dispel any uncertainty. I'd gone too far to go back at this point.

The cave became still as the morning drew near. Most had gone to sleep, worn out after the activities of the evening. But I was unable to sleep. As my thoughts raced, I relived each step that brought me to this point.

Curled up beside Ivory and Darrel, I found myself staring at Jeremy and Darcy. They appeared so little and so innocent. Was I truly ready to give them up for power? "Can't sleep?"

Ivory was observing me with cautious yet nonhostile eyes when I turned around.

"Just thinking," I said in a whisper. She inched forward, t