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Shit.

I turned and bolted, running as fast as my legs could take me. My bare feet scuffed along the ground as I sprinted down the dirt road, back toward the portal we’d come through.

Behind me, a feral snarl sounded. There was nothing human about it—it was all predator.

One of them had shifted.

A scream burst from my lips as I put on more speed, even knowing it was no use. Paws hit the ground behind me, growing closer and closer. The wolf panted, its hot breath right in my ear.

I shrieked when a mass of black fur collided with me, tackling me to the ground. I rolled onto my back, trying to escape, but heavy paws pressed into my abdomen, pinning me in place. An enormous snout filled my gaze. He had the same golden eyes as his human form.

Alaric.

He was nearly twice as large as Reid’s wolf form. His white teeth gleamed as he bared them at me, leaning closer. My heart stopped for a full beat as his gleaming gold irises bored into mine.

And then… time froze.

I lost sight of the world around me. There was no forest, no castle, no moonlit sky. There was only the spark of light in the wolf’s eyes. I was transfixed, captivated by those eyes that seemed to burn like the sun.

Everything in me went perfectly still, but not with fear. Something otherworldly in that gaze seemed to pause time itself. It felt as if this wolf were looking into my very soul.

Mine, my soul seemed to say.

Just as suddenly, the stillness fled, and reality slammed back into me. Reid shouted something from behind the wolf. Paws pushed harder against me, making me gasp. The wolf’s hot breath blew against my face. His fangs inched closer, and a low sound rumbled in his throat.

I squeaked in terror, shutting my eyes and turning my face away.

Oh gods, he’s about to eat me. He’s going to tear my face off. He’s going to⁠—

The huge weight of him vanished, and my eyes flew open. The wolf had slid off me, leaving me lying on the ground, gasping and covered in sweat. A second later, he had shifted back to his human form, standing before me completely naked.

Yes, the lack of clothing was definitely a Wolven thing. And Alaric didn’t seem bothered at all by it.

Of course he wouldn’t be. His body looked like it was sculpted by the gods. He was nothing but a towering wall of pure muscle. Everything from his toned calves to his rippling biceps exuded pure strength.

“Run from me again, and I’ll show you what it’s like when we really hunt.” Alaric offered me a savage smile that was all teeth.

I shuddered at the wild, hungry look in his eyes. Behind him, Reid stood there, looking smug.

I propped myself up on my elbows, hissing in pain. I’d scraped my left arm on something when I’d fallen. My pulse roared in my ears, my heart cinching in my chest.

I shot an uncertain glance toward Alaric. Had he felt the same eerie stillness when the wolf had looked into my eyes?

But Alaric only crossed his arms over his chest, giving me a loathsome scowl.

No. Surely, I had imagined it. I stared at him a moment longer, and, without my permission, my eyes dipped below his waist. I gritted my teeth and forced my gaze away.

It wasn’t that I wanted to look. But knowing that he and Reid were naked, it was impossible not to.

“Let’s go, witchling,” Alaric said, jerking his head toward the castle.

I glared at him. Did he expect me to come quietly? To allow myself to be locked away without putting up a fight?

Clenching my teeth, I summoned my magic, bringing it to the surface. It bubbled within me, eager to be unleashed. I would take down as many Wolven as I could. I didn’t care that this magical place was full of them.

I refused to rot in their prison cell.

Alaric’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to sense I was about to strike.