The first two lycans leapt from the edge of the canal with a dry roar that sliced through the air.
Sage and I faced them without thinking—
without breathing.
It was all instinct.
Fang.
Claw.
Survive.
The first came at me with avalanche force.
I dodged by inches, spun my body, and buried my claws in his side.
I felt bone crack beneath flesh.
He howled, twisted, sank his teeth into my shoulder with brutal force.
I screamed—
not from pain,
but from rage.
I took him down in a single stride,
sank my fangs into his neck,
and slammed him to the ground
until he stopped moving.
Beside me, Sage was rolling with the second.
Her lupine form was quicker, sharper.
But he was bigger.
Heavier.
She slashed his face with a clean swipe—
but the lycan rammed into her,
sent her flying a
