ine filled Elise's senses. She had been training with the pack for days now, and each day had brought new challenges. The exhaustion from the inte

, not if she wanted to survive the coming war with the Crimson Fangs. But there was a weight pressing down on her

t there was a slight shift in the way he interacted with her. He wasn't as openly hostile, though his sarcasm still mad

ere trusted easily. Not even Kade, despite th

land, remnants of a time long forgotten. Now, they served as a place to regroup and train. The pack was small, but each member was strong, skilled, and relentless. The Fangs h

that tree down with your mind," a

st a few feet away, his arms crossed and his gaze

ng," she replied,

said words. Finally, he spoke again, his tone softer this time. "You've made great progress. Your reflexes are impr

ch. She pushed herself to her feet, brushi

yes were unwavering, his gaze locked onto hers. "You can control the

e warning bells ringing in the back of her mind every time she

ol," she said, her voice steadier than s

s inevitable. The longer you stay in this form, the more the wolf's

p shards of glass. Her fingers clenched into fists. "So

troubled. "You fight. You fight to retain who you are. Yo

back, feeling the world tilt slightly. She couldn't give up. She couldn't lose her

ispered. "Is it worth lo

ay, his back to her as he looked out across the clea

urnful sound that seemed to echo the con

ng reports. The Fangs are getting closer. We don't have much time. You n

She could leave this life behind, run far enough away that no one could find her. But s

, her voice steady now.

intest hint of approval. "Good. Y

back toward the ruins, leaving

**

ning, tracking. She had never imagined a life like this, surrounded by wolves, constantly fighting for survival. But with each passing day, he

e unexpectedly. Those moments terrified her. The wolf was always there,

ing her thoughts. It wasn't just the power-it was the allure of it, the way it made her feel invincible. She could feel the wolf's instincts urging her to give

the edge of the clearing. The pack had scattered for the night, retreating to their r

stomach tighten. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to

roke through the tensio

few feet away, her expression unreadable. "You've been

an's eyes. Lyra had been distant since Elise had arrived, but now th

orcing a smile that didn'

ng down beside her. "The Fangs are a real threat.

confused. "What

that can destroy you. The power inside you is dangerous. And if

er throat. "I know that. K

s a powerful thing. But it's not just a physical change. It affects you mentally, emo

se said, though she wasn't

. It's about knowing when to stop. When to draw the lin

what to say. She had already crossed that

vy on Elise's shoulders. There was no turning back now. She had made her choice. But