Ryder’s POV

The apartment was quiet for only a few hours. Not long. Too short.

Shadows moved outside. Not people. Not normal. Something else. I smelled it before I saw it. Sharp, wet, animal. Wolves.

I woke to him shaking my shoulder. His hand was hot. Firm. Controlled.

“Get up,” he said. “We leave now.”

I scrambled out of bed. My stomach twisted. My head felt heavy. The bond made it worse. I could feel his tension in my own chest. Every movement, every breath, echoed inside me.

“Where?” I asked.

“Before dawn,” he said. “Forest. Fast routes. Human eyes won’t see us.”

I nodded. I had no choice. I...