Chapter 2 The Pull Between Us (Max's POV)

Did she just shove my hand away and run?

I froze in my place, recalling what had just happened.

One moment, I was busy cutting some wood near my cabin.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of unease I couldn't explain.

I felt my very soul being pulled.

Then I found myself looking in her direction.

She was riding a horse, her long black hair moving up and down with the motion.

Drawn to her like a magnet, my eyes were lost in her beauty, tracing every small detail as she looked at me.

Suddenly, she fell from the horse.

I was certain I felt her pain the moment she hit the tree trunk.

Without thinking, I threw the axe aside and ran toward her.

But when I stretched my arm to help her up,

she shoved my hand away and left.

A sound in the forest pulled me out of my thoughts.

What is that?

A shadow was sprinting behind her-something was following her.

I had lived alone long enough to recognize danger when it crept this close.

And I know that scent.

The aggressive scent of wolves on the hunt.

Suddenly, a deep voice echoed in my head:

Save her.

Who... who is there?

Move, the voice demanded.

It came from inside me.

...Could it be my wolf? It can't be.

No matter how hard I tried, the wolf inside me had never awakened.

I can't explain what that voice is, but there is no time for that.

If she is in danger, I have to do something.

I started running.

But my speed is nothing compared to her horse-or to the wolves behind her.

I can hear the growl of a wolf stalking its prey, ready to strike.

Even this far behind, somehow I can hear it.

Save her.

The strange voice repeated inside my head, sharper this time.

With it, I felt my muscles pulse, thickening with raw, unfamiliar power.

My legs propelled me forward at a speed I didn't think was possible.

I have to reach her.

I have to make sure she's safe.

A sharp scream rang out-it was hers.

A roar ripped from my chest in response.

"Noooooo!"

My voice echoed through the trees as my speed doubled.

Why do I feel her fear?

When did she start meaning this much to me?

Not used to the unnatural speed, a large branch flashed in front of me.

No time to dodge.

I instinctively took cover behind my shoulder, crashing through it as the branch exploded into splinters.

Just beyond it, I finally arrived.

She was there, lying on the ground.

Her horse lay dead beside her, claw marks torn deep across its body.

Two wolves stood coiled and tense, their eyes locked on me after my dramatic entrance.

One of them was bigger and stronger, with one blind eye.

Logic screamed that I can't win.

That I should run.

That this isn't my fight.

But seeing the fear in her eyes made my veins burn with rage.

My usual calm was replaced by a fury I had never known.

"Stay away from her," I shouted, running in her direction.

One of the wolves lunged at me, claws flashing.

My body reacted on its own, and I leaned aside just in time-the claws missed me by a hair.

The wind of its strike grazed my skin.

I found myself off balance. I nearly fell, but as I stumbled, my hand closed around a heavy branch on the ground.

As the wolf lunged again, I pushed myself upright, swinging the branch with everything I had.

The branch shattered against its jaw, sending the wolf crashing into a tree.

But the other wolf struck from behind.

I screamed, pain tearing through my shoulder as its fangs sank deep into my flesh.

Desperately, I tried to shake the wolf off my back.

Then I saw her looking at me-worry and rage replacing the fear in her eyes as she moved, running straight toward me, bones shifting, claws ripping into the earth.

She transformed mid-stride.

For a heartbeat, I forgot the fight.

She could have run.

She should have run.

Her wolf was fast and strong enough to escape this place.

So why wasn't she?

Why was she charging straight at me?

But the wolf I had smashed with the trunk wasn't finished.

It lunged at her.

The impact sent her crashing to the ground as the wolf slammed down on top of her.

Something inside me snapped.

A faint silver gleam flashed across my vision.

With a roar, I twisted the wolf biting my shoulder-

ripping it off me and slamming it into the ground.

I didn't feel its fangs tearing into my arm,

didn't feel its claws raking across my skin as it fought back.

None of it mattered.

Blinded by rage,

my fists crashed into its ribs again and again-

and at the edge of my vision, she was fighting the other wolf.