Shadowed Paws, Shattered Lights

ding inside her. Her fingertips hung near Aiden's shoulder, barely touching. His breath came f

not certain what is happening on," he mumbled. "Selene... I can fe

he moved closer, her hand now lying on his chest, precis

s. "You don't know that

flinch. "You w

puppet that just realized t

but the words stuc

is face. "What if Myles is right? What if I was ma

they made. You proved that the moment

"Because I'm chemically hardwired

didn't move. "That this"-she pointed betwe

dn't

you look at me when you think I'm not watching? Or the way you threw yourself

len

Say

nod

r breath warm against his skin. "You are mine,

y closed around hers. "I

ice broke a little.

s getting worse. I feel

o his cheek, gentle, grounding

If I change... if I l

l bring y

t if you

y above a low murmur.

nt cracked around them, fragile and full of weight. A

e it. Somethin

ain. Aiden growled loudly and

't han

it was alive, breathing in tune w

tightened. "Seal's opening. Lila has y

abandon

ped. "If I lose this f

t." She k

ierce. T

y, something spark

len

e said. "Don't di

alms on her slacks, and dashed

eyes faded to gray, then dimmed entirely. But his body still tremble

. The walls were etched with old symbols, the kind wolves whispered a

jet-black cloak. The vial of Selene's blood floated midair, spinning s

ehind her, arms c

voice echoing off the ancient wa

e doing," Selene replied, approa

flicking toward the vial. "This b

pens a gra

s funny, coming from the

k this is

aid. "It's a

d. "Let her see what

" Selen

ith her heartbeat. Her presence was accelerat

name?" she growled. "You'

said. "Your blood's in me

e take th

ne l

hing through the air, slicing Selene

d Lila's temple, kicke

oppy," she spat. "S

bloodied teeth. "St

after I brea

cracked with the sound of claws meeting bone.

, Myles beg

re summoning?" Selene shout

's stronge

strength. Th

ila down, Aiden burst t

le. Sweating

len

"It's almo

side. "Then let's

ted. Then

gher. The runes beneath them split. A low howl rose

eal c

th the altar, leading in

s mark

skin s

rose from

re

ng off his form like oil. No armor. No c

or for me," he sai

sed. "No-I was cont

flew back, neck snapping on

ou weren't supposed

oren said. "Your blood c

en them. "You'll ha

at him. "I

Just for a se

for him. "Aiden

tiffened. His eyes

lade

ees bu

hispered.

as soft. "You w

sted as Aiden coll

ed, the mark on h

new had bloome

a

fl

s of light arched from her back. Her hair lif

ame appeared

sped. "Something inside

only s

ered. "It was alwa

, unwilling to glance away f

ghtning and the void underneath the

den

ead l

s blaze

time... h

"Long live