The sacred pool lay deep within the stone cavern, a mirror of still water that shimmered faintly beneath the torchlight. Runes lined the walls, their glow pulsing like a heartbeat. The air was damp and heavy, carrying the scent of moss, iron, and something older—something holy.

Bella stood barefoot at the edge, a white ceremonial robe clinging to her frame. The murmurs of the gathered elders and wolves seemed distant, as though muffled by the cavern itself. Her chest rose and fell, each ...