Nova's wolf stood in the ring. Glowing like the moon with blood on her back from where Helga had taken a bite.
She put her head down, taking control back.
She saw their faces.
Her classmates. Professor Draven. The warriors.
Eyes wide. Frozen. Uncertain. Afraid.
Nova took one shaky step back. Then another.
She looked toward Aeron — his face pale, mouth parted, eyes locked on her.
Nova: Do they think I'm a monster?
Seraphine: Let them.
Panic clawed through her ribs.
Seraphine took over again. She didn't remember the moment she turned to run. Only the blur of trees as she sprinted from the ring, snow exploding beneath her paws.
Voices called after her.
She didn't hear them.
She crashed into the forest, leaping over roots, weaving through trees. Seraphine ran with the speed of an
