The high-pitched cry of one of the wolves startles me. I wince, closing my eyes tighter, bracing for impact. But a roar causes me to open them again. Standing before me, gripping one of the wolves, is Dominik. The muscles of his back ripple beneath his shirt as he tosses the wolf towards a nearby tree. His arms glisten as he lowers them, and I notice they are coated in golden scales.

Several of the wolves run off into the woods, though one raises its hackles and lashes out once ...