C24 The howl

The howl came before dawn—long, low, and layered with something not quite wolf. It rose from deep within the forest, curling through the branches like smoke, tugging at every instinct Evelyne had fought to master. She jolted awake, already halfway to her feet. Around her, the pack stirred. Lucien’s blade was in his hand before he opened his eyes. Isolde was already crouched, scanning the dark