CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE – A TEMPORARY REFUGE

That night, after a hot meal and a warm shower, Cassie found herself sitting with Maxwell in the small guest room they'd been given. "We need to talk about what happened in the forest," Maxwell said gently. Cassie nodded, hugging her knees to her chest. "I've never lost control like that before. It was... terrifying." Maxwell reached out, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "It's part of being a wyld wolf, Cassie. Your transformations are more powerful, but also more unpredictable." "How do I control it?" she asked, her voice small. "With practice and patience," Maxwell replied. "We'll work on it together." Cassie looked up at him, feeling a rush of gratitude. "Thank you, Maxwell. For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you." Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken emotion. Maxwell cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "We should get some rest," he said, standing up. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us." As Cassie s