**Chapter 12: First Sparks**
The next three days were a fever dream.
Rowan was everywhere and nowhere.
He appeared at dawn to run with me (slow at first, then faster, pushing until my lungs burned and my legs screamed and something inside me started to answer). He taught me how to breathe through the ache, how to listen for the wolf pacing under my skin instead of fighting her.
Victor watched every second.
He never left us alone. If Rowan got within three feet of me, Victor’s growl vibrated the air. If Rowan’s hand brushed my elbow to correct my stance, Victor’s eyes flashed gold so bright I felt the heat.
Rowan never flinched. Just gave that half-smile and kept teaching.
By the second night the moon was swollen and silver, hanging low like it wanted to drag the wolf out of me by
