CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The moon hangs heavy in the sky, spilling silver light across the cobbled streets of Golden Paw. I can hear the distant howls of my packmates, a familiar lullaby that tugs at the edges of my consciousness. But tonight, the melody of our kinship is overshadowed by the thrumming of my heart.
I'm standing at the edge of the forest, the darkness of the woods clashing with the lit pathways of our town, waiting for Luca. An owl hoots, and I try to steady my nerves, taking deep breaths of the crisp night air. The scent of pine and damp earth fills my lungs, and it grounds me, reminds me that no matter what happens, I am part of this world, this pack.
"Skye," Luca's voice startles me from my thoughts, his form emerging from the shadows.
"Luca," I greet him, my voice barely
