The clearing went silent. Even the wind seemed to hesitate.
The figure who had spoken my name stepped closer, slow and deliberate. Moonlight spilled across their face, revealing lines of exhaustion and scars that had healed wrong. But their eyes, sharp grey and steady, never left mine.
I didn’t know them. Not personally. But the wolf did. Every subtle twitch of its muscles screamed recognition, dread, and something I couldn’t quite define.
Asher moved in front of me, protective out of instinct, but the wolf’s deep growl cut through the tension like a blade. Not at the stranger, at Asher. Warning him to stop.
The sound was low, commanding and primal. Even Asher froze.
I reached out, laying a hand against the wolf’s fur. Its body trembled beneath my touch.
“It’s okay.” I whispered. “Yo
