Lyra stood in the clearing behind the Alpha House, the morning air cool and sharp against her skin. Her wolf was restless — not anxious, but alert, ready. Mira stretched beside her, shaking out her arms.
Kayden approached with a seriousness that made the air feel heavier. “Today we focus on resistance.”
Lyra nodded. “Blocking corrupted magic.”
Kayden’s gaze softened. “Exactly.”
He gestured to a small wooden totem carved with runes — not dangerous, but designed to mimic the sensation of corrupted magic without harming her.
Lyra frowned. “What do I do?”
Kayden stepped closer. “Let it touch your aura. Then push it out.”
Lyra swallowed. “Push it out how?”
Kayden’s voice gentled. “The same way you push out fear. The same way you push out pain. Your wolf knows how.”
Lyra inhaled slowly,
