The training lasted three more brutal hours before Avalon finally called it.

"Enough," he said, and I collapsed against the padded wall, sweat dripping down my spine. My muscles screamed, but underneath the exhaustion, something fierce and alive hummed through my veins.

"She's stronger already," Osilus observed, tossing me a towel. "Her wolf is responding fast."

"The Phoenix fire is feeding her," Zane added, circling me like he always did. "Give her a week and she'll be able to shift fully."

"A week isn't enough," Avalon said, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "The Council meets in ten days. If they get wind...