The Price of Rejection

The sheer finality of her demand struck Malachi physically, shattering his inner beast's composure. *Drop to your knees,* Barghest howled through their shared consciousness. *Surrender. Plead for her mercy before we lose her.*

Stripped of an alpha's pride, the massive wolf collapsed against the spiritual dirt. Barghest tucked his tail, releasing a pathetic, ragged keen toward Vanya's retreating s