The first hybrid child is home safe, and her parents have thrown a feast.

~~~

It's her first taste of the forest beast side of her culture. She's been trapped in the thorn kingdom for a long time, and it never felt quite right to her. Yes, they worked alongside nature, and that felt right. But they taught that everyone was an enemy, anyone not of the tribe a foe to be vanquished.

But here, as long as they aren't hostile, anyone can be a friend.

They live in the forest instead of in huts, living alongside the animals and nature instead of trying to control them.

It feels so right.

And she can't help but let a small smile cross her face, a smile that hasn't been there in a long time.

She's home.