Bound to the Beast

nding Blackthorn territory. Rhea stood at the edge of the clearing, the cool wind brushing ag

almos

e air. He was always there, lurking, watching, his power undeniable and suffocating. Tonight, though, it wasn

er in the wind. His figure moved into her line of sight, tow

bond anymore. It was his arrogance, the way he treated her like a prize

feelings away. This wasn't about

do I?" she snapped, her

, his gaze unwavering as he watched her closely. The air between

lly answered.

ought it. She had been fighting it ever since she arrived in Blackthorn territory, the primal side of her desperate

for

ight seemed to whisper to her, urging he

her. Her bones cracked and reshaped, her muscles spasming with the pain of transformation. Her body wasn't hers anymore.

as her wolf finally emerged, strong and fierce. She was standing on all fours now,

n, she

communication passing between them. Their bond-instinctive and undeniable-flared to life. Rhea's wo

nfident, its golden fur gleaming under the moonlight. Rhea's wolf, wild and untamed, wanted not

waiting for her to make the first move. It was as if the bond was callin

eady. She wasn't

nd rushed past her, her wolf's instincts pushing her to run faster, to escape the pull of th

n't gi

growing stronger. The pull of the bond was undeniable, wrapping around her like a leash. H

ng her path. She skidded to a halt, her claws scraping against the g

n them thrumming with power. Rhea's wolf growled in frustrat

rd, its head lowering as if to nu

of the bond was too much. It was as if they were meant to be together, and no mat

ing with the intensity of the emotions flooding through her. She didn't want to do

brushing against each other in an instinctive, almost tender way.

a felt something change within her. It was as if the b

a mix of frustrat

everything

damp, and for a moment, she couldn't remember how she had gotten here. Her skin was bare, her body still trembling. Confusion