Maya’s breathing was ragged, chest lifting and dropping in frantic bursts like a bird slamming itself against cage bars. Aurora reached out carefully, her palms trembling even though she tried to look steady.
“Maya, it’s me,” Aurora whispered, her tone caught between pleading and authority. “You need to calm down, love. You’re safe.”
But Maya wasn’t listening. Her eyes were glassy, pupils blown wide, reflecting nothing but chaos. She wasn’t looking at Aurora...she was looking through her, like Aurora was only a shadow, a ghost flickering in her room.
“Don’t touch me!” Maya screamed, voice shredding her throat raw. She swung her arm out and sent the lamp crashing against the wall. Glass scattered across the floor like splintered stars.
Her wolf, usually her shield, was silent. The empti
