The eclipse finally ended, and the world seemed to exhale with me. The shadows that had pressed into every corner of my house lifted, leaving an uneasy calm behind. I could still feel it—the presence of the skinwalker, its hunger lingering in the air even though it wouldn’t return today. My chest was tight, my hands shaking slightly, but for the first time in hours, I could breathe without thinking the creature might strike again.
Asher stood near the window, his shoulders rigid, eyes scanning the darkened yard like he expected it to come back at any second. Gage and Arlo were close, too, each carrying their own tension. The Luna and Alpha were here as well, watching quietly, letting the house hold its breath.
“We can’t stay like this.” Asher said finally, his voice low, tight with frust
