~Kaida's Orion POV~
My head snapped toward the sound, but nothing moved the forest was still until it wasn't again.
From the shadows emerged a figure... tall, cloaked in dark fur, and glowing eyes burning like fire. I stumbled back, grabbing Biat's arm.
"What is that?" I whispered.
Biat's face paled. "That's… not a beast. That's..."
The creature took a step forward and I froze my pulse pounded in my ears and then it stopped just a few feet away, head tilting as if trying to recognize me.
"Kaida," Biat whispered. "Look at the pendant around its neck."
I did, it was Lupus's. The moon pendant I had gifted him on our first mating night.
The creature... no, the man... stood there, eyes still burning red. His form shifted slightly, bones cracking, skin rippling, and then....
"Kaida?"
His voice was rough, like gravel, but unmistakable, Lupus.
My knees gave out. "Lupus, it's you."
