Chiara and I shifted effortlessly, slipping into the dense woods behind Carlo’s house. My wolf, Blue, was restless, itching to run, her energy mirroring the anxiety clawing at my mind. I wasn’t made for fighting—my strengths lay elsewhere—but I could help with evacuations. I just needed to know my mom was safe. That was all that mattered.
Our paws pounded against the dry earth, snapping twigs and rustling leaves beneath us. My lungs burned with every breath, but I pushed forward, ignoring the ache in my legs. No matter how tired I was, I wouldn’t stop. Branches whipped at my fur, but their sting was like velvet against my thick coat—nothing I couldn’t endure.
"This way," Chiara’s voice echoed through the mind link, sharp and urgent. I saw her dart toward the edge of the forest, slipping
