Lavender and steel.
Daciana.
I hesitate, my instinct to turn away warring with my desire to follow. Before I can decide, my feet are already moving toward her, drawn like a compass needle to north.
The trail widens slightly, leading to a small clearing where an ancient oak spreads its branches. And there she sits, back against the rough trunk, head tilted to one side, completely and utterly asleep.
My breath catches at the sight. Her fierce warrior’s face is softened in slumber, vulnerable in a way I’ve never seen before. One hand rests loosely on her thigh, the other curled in her lap. Her chest rises and falls with deep, even breaths.
“Little wolf,” I whisper, the endearment slipping out unbidden. “What are you doing out here all alone?”
She is completely unprotected. Any creature could approach. Any enemy could strike.
The thought sends a chill through me.
I take a step forward, then freeze as movement catches my eye. From behind the oak tree, two wild wolves emerge, their hackles raised as they have already sensed my presence. They position themselves on either side of Daciana’s sleeping form, teeth bared in silent warning.
A smile tugs at my lips. “So, you’re protecting your mistress, are you?” I ask softly.
The wolves watch me warily, bodies tense and ready to attack. The larger one, a gray female with intelligent eyes, growls low in her throat.
“I mean her no harm,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s important to me, too.”
I lower myself slowly to the ground, sitting cross-legged several feet away. The wolves remain alert but seem less threatened by me in my seated position.
“She needs this rest,” I continue conversationally. “She’s been pushing herself too hard.”
The female wolf tilts her head as if considering my words. I smile again.
“I’ll watch over her with you, if you’ll allow it.”
Making a decision, I close my eyes, focusing on the magic that lives inside me. I let my form shift, bones reshaping, skin giving way to thick fur. In moments, my massive black wolf sits where my human form was, nearly twice the size of the wild wolves.
They startle initially, but curiosity replaces fear. I lower my head, a gesture of peace. After a tense moment, the female approaches, sniffing cautiously at my muzzle. I remain perfectly still, allowing her to recognize that I am no threat.
When she backs away, seemingly satisfied, I move forward and settle on the ground near Daciana, but not close enough to frighten her if she wakes. I lay my head on my paws and close my eyes, allowing myself the luxury of being near her.
My wolf feels content for the first time in days. Her scent surrounds me, and I breathe it in deeply.
I don’t know how long I’ve been lying here, drifting in and out of consciousness, when my ears suddenly twitch. There’s a subtle shift in the air—a wrongness that pulls me from my dozing.
My body transforms back to human form in one fluid motion. I’m on my feet, hand raised, before Daciana has even stirred.
Her eyes snap open, instantly alert despite being pulled from deep sleep. She looks startled to see me standing there, confusion flickering across her features.
“Kier—”
Before she can finish saying my name, I catch sight of movement in the trees. Instantly, my hand shoots up, grabbing an arrow whistling through the air—an arrow aimed directly at Daciana’s heart.
Her eyes widen, shock written plainly across her face as she stares at the arrow clutched in my hand, just inches from where it would have struck her.
“What the—”
Her expression transforms instantly. I watch as her gaze hardens, turning flat and deadly—a warrior replacing the vulnerable woman who was sleeping mere moments ago.
She jumps to her feet, her body coiled and ready. “We need to find cover. Now.”
“Agreed.” I scan the trees, every sense heightened. “There’s a rock formation to the east—”
