hrumming with unfamiliar energy. Kaidën watched her with quiet patience, his golden eyes glinting with something unreadable. The forest felt alive between them, shifting and whisperin

u're stronger than that." Her jaw clenched. "What if I'm not?" He took another step closer. "You are." She shook her head. "You don't even know me." His golden gaze held hers. "I know what you are. And I know you need help." Lyra swallowed hard. The fight in her was still there, still burning, but another part of her-a weaker, more desperate part-wanted to believe him. She took a slow, measured breath. "Help me, then." The night stretched on as Kaidën led her through the forest. They moved in silence, their footsteps light against the earth. Lyra could feel everything now-the pulse of the wind, the rustling of unseen creatures, the way the world felt more alive, more present than ever before. "Where are we going?" she asked after a while. "Somewhere safe." "Safe from what?" He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at her, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. "You're not the only one who felt your shift tonight, Lyra." A chill ran down her spine. "You mean...?" Kaidën nodded. "The pack will know. And others will, too." She swallowed hard. "Others?" "Not everyone in this world has good intentions," he said grimly. "There are those who see new shifters as prey-an opportunity to control, to manipulate." Lyra's stomach twisted. "So what does that make you?" Kaidën smirked. "The one keeping you alive." She wasn't sure how to respond to that. Minutes passed in silence before they reached a break in the trees. Nestled between the thick trunks was a cabin. It was nothing like the quaint, cozy structures Lyra had seen in town-it was large, almost fortress-like, with high windows and reinforced walls. A fire burned in the stone fireplace outside, casting flickering shadows against the wood. Kaidën pushed open the heavy door and gestured for her to step inside. She hesitated. For all she knew, this was a trap. But what other choice did she have? Steeling herself, she stepped inside. The