CRIMSON BONDS

on the edge of the bed, fists clenched, muscles taut. Her wolf stirred beneath her ribs. She felt the p

the distance. She counted them, noted their weapons, and memorized the paths they took. She

ur glimmered in the faint ligh

n. Threadborn power lies dormant.

ot question. She knew the moment for cauti

ntered the room, tall and silent. He carried no wea

. The statement was simp

plied. Her voice was firm.

. She refused to give it freely. She wa

this room without

me to move within my

state did not extend to breaking her will easily. She could see it in his eyes.

stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. The grip was stron

st me,"

al was action. Survival was defi

She scanned the room. Shelves lined with jars and books. Candles burned in clusters. Symbols covered the wal

voice. They carried power. Threadborn power. Aster focu

. Shadows lengthened. Shapes moved in the corners of her mind. She saw multiple versions of herself, ov

loser. Its form shifted. Muscles elongated, paws grew larg

of his sword. His eyes narrowed. He had never seen a human threadborn m

ight now. They carried authority. The wolf shifted

nder said. His voice was

m. He did not retreat. His presence was imposing. It challe

It waited for her to understand its message. She did. Power was not ta

voice low. "You will learn to con

sharp, almost dangerous. "Obey your rules

ting. He did not like it. He did not underestimate her either. The tensi

. He demonstrated. He expected obedience. Aster observed. She tested. She resisted. She struck. She blocked. She moved like wate

smile. He did not praise. The stat

pponent," she replied. He

ians always observed first. Power

e skin, awakening further. She felt strength in her limbs, clarity in her mind. She woul

presence pressed against her peripheral vision. She did not step back. Her pulse matched hi

voke me,

was deliberate. She would not flinch. Sh

in and heat surged in her chest. Her wolf responded. Her body shifted subtly. Her senses sharpened. She smel

he said, voice l

She did not break. She did not falter. She stepped back to m

gs. Its presence steadied her. Threadborn powe

ds gestured subtly. The tension was physical, mental, magical

said. His tone carried

It carried authority. She was no longer only survivor.

udied, assessed, measured. She met his gaze without flinching. Both of them understoo

he knelt before it, focusing on the threadborn pulse within. She felt fragments of herself, memories, i

he had denied. She began to understand the wolf's message. Survival was n

he awakening. She was no longer only prey. She was predator in her own righ

Aster sat on the bed, eyes closed. Threadborn power pulsed. The mate bond throbbed. Every hea

nce filled the room. She opened her eyes. He studied h

true battl