The light burned brighter than anything I had ever felt. It poured out of my chest, through my veins, through my hands, and finally through my entire body. My vision went white, then red, then a thousand colors I didn’t know existed. The shadow-forms shrieked, twisting in agony as the fire of my mark tore through them.
I fell to my knees, my fingers digging into the stone, trying to hold myself together. My wolf inside me roared, letting me feel its full strength for the first time. It wasn’t just a beast anymore—it was me, a part of me I had never dared to touch.
The massive figure before me stepped closer, its molten-gold eyes studying me like a teacher judging a pupil. “Control it.” it said. “Or it will destroy everything you love.”
I clenched my fists. My chest flared again, and sud
