The massive wolf in front of her lowered his enormous head until his nose brushed against her fur, inhaling deeply. His hot breath fanned over her, and she shivered as he drank in her scent, memorizing it, claiming it. He lingered for a moment, then suddenly threw his head back and howled.
The sound ripped through the night—powerful, announcing her presence to the world. Her ears rang with the echo, her chest vibrating from the sheer force of it.
When his howl ended, he began to circle her, his heavy paws crunching against the dirt. Harriet’s wolf stayed still, but inside, her human self trembled. She knew he wouldn’t harm her, not in the way others might. Yet the fear remained, etched into her bones. She had seen his ruthlessness. She had heard the screams of that man who he had done so
