Silver Revelations and a Promised Return

The moment stretched between us, fire dancing across Orion's palm as those blood-red eyes bore into mine. Then, without warning, he grabbed my hand with his unburned one.

"What are you doing?" I gasped, trying to pull away.

"Trust me." His grip was firm but gentle. "For once, Elara, stop fighting what you are."

Before I could protest further, he lifted a small silver flask from his desk and unscrewed the cap. My heart hammered against my ribs as recognition dawned.

"Silver water," I whispered, my body going cold with fear.

Every werewolf knew what silver water did to our kind—burning, blistering agony that could leave permanent scars. I'd seen the effects once when a young wolf in Silver Moon Pack had foolishly taken a dare. The screams still haunted me.

"Don't—" I pleaded, but Orion was already pouring the liquid over my outstretched palm.

I braced for searing pain... but nothing happened. The water pooled in my palm, cool and harmless as rain.