firm - not a welcoming handshake,

urged through her body, a low, electric

closer, forming a l

ne s

was no

r thickened, pulsing with life. Instinct flared hotter inside her, crowding out her doubts.

rk curls released her

e said. "You'll wa

pening - but a violent shudder wracked her body before she could get t

voice gentler now. "

s and sinew like wildfire. Her bones ached - no, shifted - deep inside her. She pressed her hands to

e Marla - muttering soothing w

ody unraveling and reweaving itself, guided by f

s explode

leeding from a wounded

le tunneling b

of the earth itself

she heard it - the low, snarling growl t

have been

elt a savage,

finally - becoming who sh

from horror movies and fairy tales. Her body remained mostly human - but her muscles were different now, coi

wild uncoiled, stretching lazily like a b

and the others were watching her with c

gnit

la said. "Stronger t

her feet, unste

hat am I?"

dened into somet

e beco

oke for the first time, voice low and

r. It's a crucible. A place to burn away what the w

w, awakened body - accepted the truth eve

the Pack,"

real work