Oak had always thought of leaving the pack for some time. She wanted time for herself and to go on a journey of self-discovery. She knew that the rest of the pack wouldn't understand, but she couldn't keep living a life that wasn't her own. She wanted to find her own path in this life and figure out who she truly was without the burden of being the Alpha's gamma. The Tear of Luna seemed like the perfect opportunity to do just that.

"Should I leave or stay? This is harder than I thought," she muttered to herself, trying not to wake the three younger wolves. The stars twinkled above her, seeming to dance through the branches of a nearby tree. She took a deep breath, the cool air tickling her nose, and let it out slowly. The scent of the pond was stronger now, a mixture of earth and water that reminded her of home.

"Maybe I should try going back to bed and see if I can get some more sleep. Tomorrow will be another long day for all of us," she thought to herself. She stood up slowly, stretching her arms above her head and yawning loudly. The movement woke up Caspian, who blinked blearily at her.

"The hell are you doing up this late? It's four in the morning; we need to find the tear of Luna before dawn," Caspian trailed off, realizing that Oak was already awake. He sat up, rubbing his eyes with the back of his arm. He didn't realize how utterly tired she looked; the dark circles under her golden eyes say it all.

"You look tired, too," Oak replied softly, noting the dark circles under Caspian's eyes. "Maybe we should try to get some sleep out here. The grass is soft, and we'll be able to rest better than in the cramped den," she offered. She didn't mention her own doubts about finding the tears of Luna, not wanting to add to his burden. Instead, she nestled down next to him, curling up into a ball.

"You are adorable when you're like that," Caspian teased, a twinkle in his amber eyes. Oak rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. He nestled closer to her, their bodies pressing against each other. The soft grass cushioned them, and the cool night air caressed their skin. They lay there in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company and the peacefulness of the night.

"We need sleep," Caspian mumbled, already starting to drift off. Oak nodded, her eyes feeling heavier and heavier by the second. She closed them, trying to focus on the sound of her heartbeat and the rhythmic breathing of the other wolves around her. The soft grass beneath her was like a comfortable mattress, and the night air was cool but not cold. She felt safe and protected, and for a moment, she forgot about the dangers that lay ahead.