PRESIDENT RYDERI bowed my head, trying to placate the elder. "I don't dare," I said, my voice shaking. "I would never presume to challenge you, elder. Please, forgive me."The silence that followed was worse than his rage. It stretched, taut and suffocating, until the elder in red robes finally moved. It wasn't a step. It was a lunge.His human form blurred, shredding apart in a flash of crimson light. Where the elder stood, a monstrous wolf erupted into existence. Not the grey or brown or black of normal packs. This one was red. Deep, arterial red, like fresh blood poured over muscle and sinew. Its fur seemed to drink the light from the chamber, its eyes two molten gold furnaces burning with ancient, unforgiving fury. Each claw was the length of my forearm, black and hooked. Its hackles rose, and a low, guttural snarl vibrated through the stone beneath my feet.Then it threw its head back and howled.The sound wasn't just noise. It was a physical force. It slammed into me, tore t
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