Knox's POV
The Warden appeared at the cave mouth.
He was bloodied, enraged, his robes torn and singed from the collapse of the Hollow. Dark energy crackled around his hands, and his eyes burned with ancient fury. Behind him, a dozen mindless soldiers stood in perfect formation, their eyes empty, their bodies ready to kill.
He had found us.
The team scrambled to their feet, grabbing weapons, forming a defensive line. Fenris limped forward, his blade raised despite his broken leg. Lyra pulled Gretha behind her, her hands trembling but her jaw set. Sven stood beside Valerie, his eyes burning with defiance.
And I stood in front of them all.
I couldn't shift. I couldn't fight like a wolf. I was mortal, human, broken. But I could still stand. I could still protect.
"I can still die for yo
