Paws hit the ground once he and Grady shifted, and soon they were pulling the sleigh. We were off at about the same pace as last time, even with two wolves, since we had more weight. Grady didn't appear to be limping in his wolf state, but over the racket we made, I couldn't be sure.

The air tasted wetter, heavier, like the sky could barely contain the white-out it would unleash on everyone in just a few hours when winter was officially here. If there was ever a time I hoped ...