Chapter 21 · The Wolf Takes Over

"Run, Ivy!" Cain shouted. "Don't wait for me!"

I was already sprinting before he finished. The claiming bond slammed into my chest, hot and violent, and my boots skidded over loose gravel as I raced for the mine.

Behind me, bones cracked. Cain's scream broke into a growl.

I didn't look back. "You said the words," I yelled. "You don't get to kill me because you lost control!"

The mine entrance rushed closer. Thirty feet. Twenty. Moonlight cut across the old support beams, turning every splinter sharp.

Ten feet.

A howl ripped through the night.

I dove.

Something huge tore past my head. Its claws scraped stone as I hit the ground and rolled into the darkness. My palms split open. I bit down on a cry and shoved myself backward.

The wolf stopped in the entrance.

It filled the opening, black fur silvered by moonlight, yellow eyes fixed on me. Its lips pulled away from teeth longer than my fingers.

"Cain," I whispered.

The wolf stepped inside.

My pact mark burned across my wrist. The bond pulled at my ribs, begging me to stop fighting, to kneel, to let him close the distance.

"Shut up," I told it.