Chapter 159

Lycidas' POV

The wolf turned towards me, and its eyes locked with mine. I saw a fierce intelligence burning within them. They were a deep, piercing gold, gleaming with a primal intensity that sent shivers down my spine. In that moment, I felt as though I were staring into the very soul of the wilderness itself, a force of nature that brooked no opposition. Its muscles rippled beneath its fur, coiled springs of power ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.

She - because it was definitely a she - stepped forward, each step oozing with grace and agility, a predator at the peak of its prowess. As the wolf approached me, I braced myself, unsure of what to expect. But to my astonishment, as it drew nearer, its form began to shimmer and shift, transforming before my eyes.

Slowly, the massive wolf melted away, its fur receding into the form of a familiar figure. And then, standing before me, was Mia. Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow and ragged as she swayed unsteadily on her f