The giant wolf remained motionless.
Its enormous body towered over the clearing like a living mountain.
Silver fur shimmered beneath the storm-dark sky.
Golden symbols glowed across its body, pulsing in rhythm with the strange energy spreading through the Forest of Echoes.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
The impossible sight held everyone frozen in place.
The Guardian Beast had bowed.
Not to the Watchers.
Not to Seraphine.
Not even to the Founder.
It had bowed to Emily.
The Returning Blood.
Emily's heart pounded so loudly she could hear it.
The beast slowly raised its head.
Its molten-gold eyes settled on her once again.
Yet despite its terrifying appearance, Emily felt no fear.
Instead—
She felt warmth.
A strange sense of familiarity.
As if she had known this creature all her life.
As if some ancient connection stretched across centuries and had finally been reunited.
Beside her, Alexander remained tense.
Every muscle in his body was ready to react.
