“I’m ... I’m drugged,” I mumbled, struggling to sit up. “I can’t ... I can’t move.”

“We have to get out of here,” she whispered urgently, glancing nervously at the door. “Come on, Luna, lean on me.”

I tried, but my limbs felt like lead. Miranda pulled me up, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “Just a little further. Stay with me.” She practically carried me, dragging me across the room.

We stumbled toward the bathroom, the only place she could think to hide. “I’m going to help you escape, okay? We’ll getout of here.” Miranda’s voice was frantic but determined as she guided me to the window.

“I can’t ... I can’t climb.” I slurred, my body still heavy from whatever Marcosias had injected into me.

“You can!” Miranda urged, gripping my arms. “You have to, Luna. Please, use whatever strength you have left. I need you to jump out. It’s our only chance!”

I glanced at the window, my head swimming, but her words pierced through the fog. With shaky hands, I tried to pull myself up. My legs trembled, barely holding me.

“You’ve got this, Luna,” Miranda said, her voice desperate. “Please, for me, for my dad! You can do it!”

I clenched my jaw, feeling the weight of the drug dragging me down. “I ... I don’t have the strength.”

“Yes, you do! Come on!” she cried, pushing me harder.

With a grunt, I gritted my teeth. “Alright, here goes nothing.” I forced my arms to move, grabbing the ledge of the window with trembling hands. “One more push. Just one more.”

Summoning everything I had left, I gave a final shove. “Come on!” I gasped, hauling myself through the window.

The cold air hit me like a slap. “I made it,” I breathed, tumbling down and hitting the ground with a hard thud.

Miranda jumped down beside me. “We need to move. Now.”

We didn’t make it far before I heard the sound of footsteps—fast, approaching. Marcosias.

“No,” I whispered, fear gripping my chest.

Miranda spun around, her expression shifting in an instant. I watched, wide-eyed, as her eyes blazed with a fierce determination, a deep amber hue flickering with an otherworldly light.

In a fluid motion, her body began to change, muscles rippling beneath her skin as she transformed. Her limbs elongated, fingers morphing into powerful claws, and her spine arched as she dropped to all fours. The sound of cracking bones echoed in the tense silence, a stark reminder of the strength she possessed.

Miranda’s fur erupted around her, thick and shimmering, as she fully transitioned into a wolf. It was mesmerizing—the way her form shifted and grew, the rich colors of her coat gleaming in the dim light. I could see the wildness in her eyes, an untamed spirit ready to defend us against whatever danger lay ahead.

“Stay behind me, Luna!” she growled, her voice now a deep, resonant sound that rumbled in her chest. I felt a rush of relief wash over me, but the fear still gnawed at my insides.

One of Marcosias’ men darted forward, faster than I could have imagined. "Watch out!" I shouted, but it was too late.

There was a sickening crack as the blow landed hard against her side. "No! Miranda!" My voice broke, desperate, as her powerful form crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud.

I gasped, rushing forward, but my legs felt like they were moving through water. "Miranda, please, get up!" I cried, reaching for her, but her once-bright amber eyes were now dull, barely flickering with life. Her massive body lay motionless, her breaths shallow and faint.

"Stay away from her!" I screamed, tears stinging my eyes, as Marcosias’ men surrounded us. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could barely think straight. "Please, just leave her alone!"

One of the men sneered, towering over Miranda’s limp form. "The wolf’s down. She can’t protect you now."

"No," I whispered, shaking my head, trying to push back the rising terror. "Miranda, you can't ... you can't just leave me like this!"

But there was no response. I could only watch helplessly as they advanced on me, Miranda’s body lying still at my feet. Desperation clawed at my throat, my heart racing with fear.

"Miranda!" I sobbed, my voice cracking, as I pleaded with her to wake up. But there was no answer, only the cold, harsh reality of what had just happened.

Marcosias’ voice was cold in my ear. “You really thought you could escape?”

I struggled weakly, but it was no use. He dragged me back into the building, his grip unrelenting. “No ...” I murmured, fighting to stay conscious, as he tied me to the bed.