My bones broke and rebuilt themselves in a rush of light and muscle. My vision sharpened. The pain faded.
My wolf surged forward.
Kael—now a massive black Lycan hybrid with obsidian fur and ember-colored eyes—nodded once and took off.
I followed.
The second leg was… easier.
Not painless, but smoother. My wolf ran with more grace than I ever could. Her breath didn’t falter. Her muscles didn’t scream. She was built for this.
We reached the next checkpoint and turned back.
By the time we reached the first one again, I was ready to collapse—but Kael shifted back into human form, grabbed his clothes, and barked, “Get dressed. Last three. Let’s go.”
I shifted, tugged my clothes back on with trembling hands, and started the final stretch. My human form was slower, weaker, but I forced my
