Lyra's POV
A guard sneered, gripping my arm, but his companion quickly whispered, "What if she shifts? We can't handle her in her wolf form. Don't provoke her."
The first guard hesitated, his grip loosening before he let go entirely. Their fear of me brought a flicker of satisfaction, but I didn't let it show. I needed them to think I'd follow quietly, just to buy a little more time.
I felt Kellan nearing. His presence was a steady, reassuring him through the link. Suddenly, a blur of gray fur sprinted out of the shadows, slamming into one of the guards and sending him flying into a tree.
Kellan.
The other guards yelled, scrambling to shift into their wolf forms. Kellan didn't give them the chance. He lunged at the nearest one, claws ripping through the guard's chest. Blood splattered, and the guard collapsed, howling in pain.
