AYLA'S POV
The wolf charged.
Every instinct screamed at me to shift, to fight, to protect myself.
But this wasn't an enemy. This was my daughter.
"Don't shift!" I yelled at Kael. "If we meet her as wolves, she'll see us as threats!"
"She already sees us as threats!"
The massive wolf—my baby, my Lyra—barreled toward us with killing intent in her swirling eyes.
I dropped to my knees, making myself small. Vulnerable.
"Lyra," I said firmly. "Stop. I'm your mama. You know me."
The wolf didn't slow.
Ten feet. Five feet.
"LYRA!"
She leaped—
And stopped mid-air, suspended by golden light.
Kael stood with his hand outstretched, power blazing from him. "I've got her. But I can't hold her long—she's too strong."
The wolf thrashed, snarling and snapping. Power erupted from her—silver flames that scorched the earth, void-darkness that made reality crack.
"Let her down," I said.
"Are you insane?"
