Just as the burnt body of the bird was about to make contact with the street, a massive shadow streaked forward from the left.
A werewolf leapt upward in one clean, powerful motion and caught the falling carcass with both hands.
The sheer force of his jump cracked the stone beneath where he had pushed off, and he landed with a hard thud.
Even from a distance, Azel instantly recognized that familiar silhouette… the broad shoulders, the wild mane of fur and the confident posture.
"Vargan," Azel muttered with a small smile. The wolfman stood tall, still holding the half-incinerated bird as if it weighed nothing.
The beast's charred feathers flaked off in patches.
"Wow…" Selene whispered beside him, her tail curling and uncurling with a flutter of curiosity.
She turned to Lillia with widened eyes. "You're really strong."
Lillia brightened immediately at the compliment. Her pink eyes sparkled with the same sort of innocent pride Edna always encouraged in her.
