~ RONAN ~
I pull Lyra closer to me and drop my guard, letting my wolf surface just enough to brush against hers. It’s instinctive—my beast recognizes its mate and rushes to merge our forces. We collide in a flurry of raw energy and growls. When she tenses in my arms, gasping for air, I mold her tighter against my chest, already knowing she’s seconds from bolting.
There’s no turning back. Not for her. The first step of the shift has already begun—whether she’s ready or not.
“It’s okay, baby girl,” I growl, my voice thick and low. “It’s time. Let her out. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
With her in my arms, I make my way out of the kitchen, no longer able to mute the primal cry from the moon. My pulse pounds, the rush of blood in my head almost deafening. A quick flick of my wri
