He closed his eyes. Shadows tightened around him like a cage. His gold eyes flickered, then flashed black for a second. I gasped. My mark burned hotter than ever, reacting to the danger he was in.
“Gage, open your eyes. Look at me! Listen to me!”
He did, slowly. The gold light softened for a second. I could see him—my Gage, scared but still himself—and I felt a small surge of hope.
“Remember who you are.” I whispered. “The pack, your friends, me… we’re your anchor. You don’t belong to it. It’s not your master.”
He gasped, clenching his fists. “I… I… I…”
The shadow lunged, snaking across his chest. I could feel the guardian inside him trying to push outward.
“No!” I screamed, slamming my hand on his chest. The mark exploded in light, sending the shadows recoiling. My chest burned like
