He held his ground, straining to hear again. The wolf’s stare bored into him, amber eyes burning with a strange intensity. Then the sound returned, softer than before—like a whimper carried on the current. Adrian’s chest tightened. He stepped closer, only for the wolf to snarl and bare its teeth.
Adrian retreated instantly, hands raised, showing submission. The wolf’s growl subsided, but it did not relax. Its gaze flicked back toward the ground, then toward him again. The warning said, “Enough!” Whatever secret lingered beneath its paws, it would not allow him to uncover it so easily.