Lyra's POV
The shadows surged again, the air thickening like water as the dark figure lunged forward with terrifying precision. Its claws scraped the earth, leaving black scorch marks that fumed in the wind. The forest trembled beneath its weight, and a chill deeper than death slithered along my spine.
My wolf bristled, silver fur bristling with stormlight. The bond with Kaelan throbbed violently, every heartbeat a drum of defiance and fury. I could feel him, tired, battered, still holding back the remnants of corruption coursing through him, and my wolf roared in response a cry so ancient it shook the clearing, reverberating through every root, branch, and leaf.
