Quinn shifted into his wolf form, a flash of gray and white fur streaking through the rain-drenched battlefield, leaping over the heads of the Fjord pack warriors.

“Alpha, watch out!” Billy shouted.

Charles tried desperately to break through the lingering effects of the wolfsbane, but his wolf, Neil, remained unresponsive. Whether it was the toxin or sheer exhaustion, Charles couldn’t reach him.

Quinn’s claws were inches from Charles’ face, droplets of rain slipping from the sharp tips, slow as a nightmare in motion.

"Neil, if you don’t show up now, we’ll never see Selena again!" Charles roared internally, his voice frantic.

A deafening howl tore through the night.

Neil emerged...