I sit on the porch, my gaze focused on the distant treeline, and lean into the warmth of my wolf curled next to me. Her presence is steady, grounding. "Hyra," I say softly, "why didn’t you tell me?"

Her amber eyes meet mine, filled with sorrow and understanding. "You were finally happy," she replies. "You were free. I didn’t want to be the one to put you back into a cage."

I exhale slowly, letting my head rest against her thick fur. The earthy scent of her coat ...