Ron's POV

My heart pounded as I leaped into the chaos, claws extended. In wolf form, I lunged at Ryan’s flank, my orders clear: stop the dragon.

But his scales, glowing like molten lava, deflected my claws like they were nothing. His wing flicked, sending me sprawling into a crate, wood splintering around me.

Pain shot through my ribs.

—He’s too strong.

Crouched behind a splintered crate, my heart slammed so hard it felt like it’d crack my ...