The Five Ancient Elders stepped inside like shadows given form, and even in her haze, Livia knew why they were here.
"No…" she rasped, her voice raw from hours of snarling and crying. "No, don't take me away from him…"
Elder Caelum stepped forward, his expression sorrowful but firm. "Child of the Moon, if you remain, your bond will destroy everything — including yourselves. We must take you somewhere Alaric cannot follow."
Her wolf — Lilly — erupted inside her chest at those words, a primal snarl rattling her ribs.
> "No! He's ours. We cannot leave him. We will fight."
And fight she did.
With a guttural growl that didn't sound human, Livia yanked against the chains until the silver burned her skin.
Sparks of magic flared where her fingers met the restraints, and the healers gasped as the protective circle on the floor began to splinter under the sheer will of the bond.
