Timothy's POV

The shift hurts more than usual.

My bones crack and reform. My skin splits as fur pushes through. My face elongates into a muzzle, teeth sharpening to points.

It takes maybe thirty seconds, but it feels longer with everyone watching.

When it's done, I'm standing on four legs. My wolf form is big, solid black with silver-tipped fur. Kael is awake and ready, his consciousness merging with mine.

Finally, he growls in my head. Time to end this.

Across the circle, my father shifts too. ...