ly that cages did n

a perfect circle, etched with runes dulled by time but still potent with magic. Vines crept along the wall

ainm

alms resting on the cold ground. The symbols beneath her skin r

not p

her more than

watching her with measured calm. "Y

ze. "You don't get

d at his lips. "I g

ould've been telling me

plied evenly. "I said I

d I was the thr

isk," Riven corrected.

diately, pressure pressing down on her shoulders-no

aid," she s

"Of what you might do if

. "Of what you alre

retched be

rned awa

. "Tomorrow, we

echoed in

ini

her power-bu

he sliver of sky visible above the circle. The moon hovered th

osed h

ro

the bond could still carry thought throug

till

f the council's territory, fists clenched at his

e accepted their decisi

left the forest. "L

isking ev

ing," Aeron replied. "N

-wolves loyal not to the c

k was d

in tow. They stopped just outside the

elder said without preamble. "

ned. "I won't b

ll power is a weapon. The dif

forward. "Begi

unes

at the Ancient Wolf within her. Her breath hitched, but s

bered Aer

what teache

, she

ergy s

xchanged gla

isting," o

jaw ti

hought grimly

hand against the ground and whispered a vow meant fo

not be

and silence, Aeron felt i

g becam

They pushed Elara's limits carefully-never enough to shatter her cont

were

rned thei

ded to calm rather than force. She learned that the Ancient Wo

it all, his

y," he said one evening, pa

. "You wanted control. Th

what I mean,

. "You mean I'm not bec

she intended. Riven stopped

eron moved l

ted him-Kaelen among them. Wolves gathered

he council directly,"

?" one of

ed. "She holds long

cle, the elders

verwhelming the runes. Pain flared-sharp and

soaked

s scr

ng beneath a

ut, dropping

Riven sa

ers hes

owly, eyes glowing-not s

id, her voice layered and

ound t

e beneath her palms-not breaki

ders r

"You're not resisting the runes," h

doubt gnawing at him. He had chosen the pack over

ce, Aeron pre

n rose

ilence were beg

le answe

ission-but wi

, the runes beneath her skin pulsing in slow, deliberate rhy

their movements. Riven followed, his expressi

he eldest

did no

nce

" she sai

ristled. "Yo

fted h

ared-not blu

ssure v

ng as the circle dimmed, its ma

nvoluntary step

understand," she said, her voice steady but resonant.

round

clearing, Aeron ste

s er

gic flared. The council turned, fury and fear coll

ited-bright

ere,"

all, fierce, an

en them. "Stop! T

Aeron demanded

raised th

a spoke

oug

ir st

ut absolute. Wolves froze mid-motion. Ma

elders

nd slowly. "There wi

ce fo

kily. "You could'

aid simply.

them closing at last. When their hands met,

oida

elder bow

change," he sa

into his face. He had betrayed them-a

higher, one tr

t Wolf had

had chos