CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR – GIVING IN TO THE WYLD

As they walked, Cassie's mind wandered to Florian. She wondered where he was, if he ever thought of her. But she pushed those thoughts aside. For now, survival was all that mattered. Cassie felt the familiar tingling sensation creeping up her spine as they trudged through the dense forest. She tried to fight it, gritting her teeth against the overwhelming urge to transform. "Maxwell," she gasped, her voice strained. "It's happening again. I can't... I can't stop it." Maxwell turned to her, concern etched on his face. "Try to focus, Cassie. Remember your breathing exercises." But it was too late. The transformation ripped through her body, bones cracking and reforming, fur sprouting across her skin. In moments, where Cassie had stood, there was now a large, feral wolf. "Cassie!" Maxwell called out, but the wyld wolf that was Cassie only growled in response, her mind clouded by primal instincts. Before Maxwell could react, Cassie bolted into the underbrush, disappearing into the sh