The glowing eyes inside the hidden tunnel did not blink. The cave fell silent except for the frightened breathing of the pups behind Mira. Dust still drifted from the cracked stone wall, and the cold air pouring from the tunnel smelled old, like forgotten earth and ancient snow.
Mira did not move, nor did Rowan.
Sera slowly stepped in front of the pups. “Stay behind me,” she whispered.
The eyes moved closer. A low sound followed, not a growl, not a roar, but a weak, broken whimper.
Mira frowned. “That is not a predator,” she said quietly. The shape stumbled forward into the dim firelight. It was a child, and the boy collapsed onto the cave floor.
He was no older than seven. His silver hair was matted with dirt and blood, and his small body shook violently from the cold. Deep claw mark
