Demetrius led the way out of the dark, suffocating confines of the underground pits, guiding me up through the quiet castle corridors and out into the crisp, sun-dappled expanse of the forest trail. The cool afternoon air bit sharply against my flushed skin, immediately soothing the residual burn in my muscles.
Since we had come straight from the training grounds, I hadn't brought my shifting gear. Without a word, Demetrius stepped into the shadow of a massive oak tree, giving me a moment of privacy. I quickly unbuckled my sword belt, unlaced my boots, and stripped out of my sweat-soaked tunic and trousers, leaving them in a neat pile near the base of the trunk.
Closing my eyes, I reached for the familiar, primal pulse resting deep within my soul. The shift came over me like a wave of pu
