The wolf’s collapse echoed through the clearing like the world had decided to break again just to keep me on brand. I dropped to my knees beside him without thinking. Snow soaked through my jeans, cold biting through skin, but none of that mattered. His chest rose in shallow jerks. Silver cracks split through his fur like someone had shattered him from the inside. Every breath rattled. Every tremor made my heart throb a little harder.
He lifted his head just enough for his eyes to meet mine. Recognition flashed there. Pain too. And something else. Desperation.
“Margot.” It came out as a whimper, barely sound at all.
I touched his fur gently. Just fingertips. Just enough to let him know he was not alone.
A blast hit me.
Not physical. Not wind. A vision punching straight through my skul
