The howl died in the distance, swallowed by wind.
Mara stood frozen at the bedroom window, one arm wrapped around Azilla, the other pressed flat against the cold glass. Her wolf clawed at her insides, desperate to run, to hide, to grab her pup and disappear into the night. But her legs refused to move.
"That wasn't close," Crystal said quietly. "The sound carried on the wind, could be miles away."
"Or it could be at the edge of the city." Mara's voice trembled. "Hunting."
"Hunting what?"
Mara didn't answer. She didn't need to. The man lying unconscious on her bed was answer enough.
The streetlights remained dark. The whole block had gone still and silent, like the world itself was holding its breath. Mara waited, counting heartbeats, listening for any sound that didn't belong. Azilla
