Caelan ran, faster than he thought his legs could carry him. His chest hurt, his breath was sharp, but he didn't stop. He followed the sound of crashing leaves, the heavy steps on the ground. He followed her.
Yvaine's wolf.
He saw her finally, in the rose garden. White roses, torn from their stems, scattered under her paws. The huge wolf stood in the middle of the garden, chest rising and falling, eyes glowing like the moon itself.
Caelan slowed down, careful. "It's okay, girl," he said, voice low. "It's me… Caelan. I won't hurt you."
The wolf growled, low and sharp. His heart pounded, but he moved closer. "Easy now," he whispered.
The wolf whimpered, like it knew him. He stretched out his hand and brushed his fingers against her fur. Silky. Cold. Alive.
"That's it," he murmured. "Good girl. Just breathe."
Her eyes locked on him. Moonlight gold. Too bright, too pure. His stomach twisted.
"I need you to shift back, Yvaine," he said. His voice shook, but he kept it steady. "We can't use powers now. Not with the bracelets. Please."
The wolf let out another low sound. Like it understood. Then, slowly, her form began to break, twist, change. Bones cracked, fur melted, skin returned.
And suddenly Yvaine was there. On the ground. Naked, except for her underwear. Shivering hard.
Caelan caught her before she hit the dirt, pulling her into his lap.
Her voice was weak. "Caelan?"
"Hey," he said softly.
Without thinking, he pulled off his blazer, then his shirt, wrapping them both around her. Covering her up.
Her lips trembled. "Thank you."
He didn't answer. He just looked.
Her hair... it was no longer black. Silver. Silvery white, catching every sliver of moonlight. Her skin paler, sharper. Her face, too defined now, too beautiful. A silverwolf's beauty, and hers added on top.
Her voice cracked. "I… I shifted. I did it."
"Yes," Caelan said. "You did." He tried to smile. "You're a silverwolf. A beautiful one. And big too."
Inside him, his wolf was jumping, howling. Mate. Mate.
And his curse mark burned hot, sharp at his back.
Yvaine's eyes filled. "I thought I was cursed. I thought—" Her voice broke. Tears spilled.
"Shh," Caelan said quickly. He pulled her closer, holding her tight against him. "Don't think about that. You shifted. You're fine. You're here."
Her shoulders shook. He stroked her hair.
"Come," he said gently after a while. "We need to get you something proper to wear."
Her voice was small. "But you… you must be cold."
Caelan let out a short laugh. "You forget who I am." He nudged her. "I'm made for the cold."
She blinked at him, then let out a shaky chuckle. "Right. Frosthowl."
Caelan smiled, then stood, pulling her up too. He held her hand. Warm. Soft. But a buzz ran through him. Strong, sharp.
Her wolf pranced inside her head. He's handsome.
I know, Yvaine thought back.
Caelan led her out of the garden. Step by step.
---
"Yvaine!"
Zully's voice called out as they approached.
Zully ran up to them, eyes wide. She hugged Yvaine tight. "Oh girl, you're alright. You shifted. Gods. Your wolf… she's beautiful."
Yvaine's cheeks warmed. "Thank you." She turned to Ed. "The potion worked. I have you and Zully to thank."
Ed smiled softly. "It's nothing, Yvie."
Elyan's eyes narrowed. He caught sight of her arm. "You're bleeding."
Yvaine looked down. A cut. She hadn't even noticed.
Elyan reached out quickly. "Here, let me heal—"
"Elyan, no—" they all shouted at once.
But too late. His hand glowed. The bracelet on his wrist flared, bright.
The shock hit him hard. Elyan jerked back, teeth gritted. "Ah—these blasted bracelets!"
Nyx cursed under her breath. "I hate them too."
Yvaine touched her stomach suddenly. A low rumble came from inside.
"That's weird," she muttered. "I already had dinner. Why am I hungry again?"
Nyx rolled her eyes. "It's because of your shift. Don't worry. I'll sneak you something from the kitchen."
Caelan's voice was calm. "You should be in your dorm. Resting."
Yvaine looked down at the shirt and blazer covering her. "But… what about these? They're yours."
"You can return them later," Caelan said. His voice sounded really soft to her. "I need to head back anyway. Head count."
Yvaine met his eyes. "Thanks, Caelan."
He nodded once. "See you around, pup."
He walked away, leaving her with the others.
________
Zully touched Yvaine's hair for the hundredth time. "You look so different," she said. "I mean, still the same… but you've got that silverwolf look now."
Yvaine sighed and laughed. "Thank you, Zully. Now can you stop fussing about it?"
Zully grinned. "What? My roomie and best friend just got her wolf, and I'm excited as shit!"
That made Yvaine laugh harder.
Then there was a knock.
Zully opened the door. Nyx walked in, holding a brown paper bag. She tossed it at Yvaine. "Here."
"Thank you," Yvaine said quickly, already tearing into it.
Nyx dropped onto the bed, crossing her arms. "Now that you've shifted, does this mean you're moving to the silverwolves' dorm?"
Yvaine froze for a moment, food halfway to her mouth. She hadn't thought about that.
Zully blinked. "That's true. You'll be moved." Her face fell.
Yvaine shook her head. "Don't worry. I'll talk to Principal Myrrin. I don't want to live with those silver jerks."
Nyx smirked. "No offense, but you've got their look now."
Yvaine rolled her eyes. "I promise, it won't come to that. I'm not going to be like them."
Zully smiled faintly. "I trust you." She leaned closer. "So… what are you going to name your wolf?"
Yvaine paused. Her lips curved. "Nymera. I'll call her Nymera."
Zully's eyes lit. "That's a beautiful name."
Yvaine finished the food in silence, then wiped her mouth. She looked at both of them. "Who wants to ride on Nymera?"
Zully shot her hand up. "Me."
Nyx rolled her eyes but didn't hide her grin. "I guess it could be fun."
They sneaked out of the dorm like guilty kids, running all the way to the abandoned gardens.
Yvaine shifted fast this time. Her bones cracked, fur burst out, and Nymera stood, towering, her silver coat glowing under the faint moonlight.
Nymera howled once, then lowered herself to the ground, waiting for Zully and Nyx to climb on.
Far away, Lucien's wolf stirred inside him. Do we go after them?
Lucien's jaw tightened. No. Let's head back.