Derek's POV
I began my descent into the underground tunnel, my wolf form navigating the narrow passage with practiced ease. Halfway down, the old man's weathered hand reached toward me. I felt a sharp, harsh pain on my skin.
The heat radiating from the depths below made everything feel hazy, and with all the chaos surrounding us, I couldn't process what had just occurred until my paws finally touched solid ground.
The moment my body fully descended, an overwhelming wave of nausea crashed over me. My limbs felt like lead, trembling with an unfamiliar weakness.
"You alright down there?" the old man called, extending his hand as I collapsed onto my knees, my wolf form dissolving against my will.
This wasn't supposed to happen. The plan was simple: help the man climb onto my back, carry him out, then shift back to human form once we reached safety.
