Smoke still curled from the scorched dirt, the ring of fire I’d unleashed smoldering like a wound carved into the earth. The pack had scattered at first, shouts and panic rippling through the yard. But now… they stood at a distance, circling me like prey animals watching a predator.

Their eyes weren’t filled with loyalty. Or even pity.

They were filled with fear.

Luka stood in front of me, bare-chested from shifting, blood and ash streaking his skin. His golden eyes burned, not with ...