Dravina POV

They caught up with us sooner than I expected snarling, growling, the scent of betrayal rolling off them.

Ashflow warriors.

Traitors from Malrik’s own ranks.

They fanned out in a slow circle, claws flexing, eyes burning with the kind of hunger that saw only weakness. They thought I was a mindless beast that had fled the battle.

They were wrong.

I had chosen this.

In my wolf form I rose tall, head high, and reached for them with a voice sharpened by power and memory.

...