KAIA'S POV
Leander’s breath came in ragged bursts, each one harsher than the last. His whole body trembled, every muscle pulled tight like he was trying to hold himself together with nothing but sheer will. His hands shot up to clutch his head again, his fingers digging into his hair, and I saw the strain twist across his face. His jaw locked, and then—
A loud scream ripped from him. It sounded raw, painful, and completely inhuman.
“Leander!” My heart lurched as I bolted forward. Panic burned up my throat. “Are you okay? Please, talk to me!”
He didn’t answer.
His head snapped back, and the sound that came out made my blood turn to ice. It wasn’t a wolf’s growl. It wasn’t anything I’d heard before. It sounded like the earth itself was groaning, and beneath it was something darker, some
