That tiny concession emboldened him. He leaned closer, listening. At first, he heard only the roar of water. Then there was a sharper sound like claws scrabbling faintly against stone. His throat tightened. He inched forward until the wolf’s snarl split the air, a warning as primal as thunder itself.
Adrian froze, hands lifted. “Easy,” he whispered, though his voice barely carried over the river. The wolf’s growl rumbled deep, vibrating through his chest. Slowly, he backed away until the tension broke. The beast lowered its muzzle, but its eyes followed him with raw suspicion.