THE LETTER

The cool evening breeze whispered through the open windows of Mrs. Lauren’s private chambers, stirring the delicate curtains as she sat by her writing desk. Her thoughts were troubled, her mind circling the same questions over and over again. Elena, there was something more to her than met the eye. Mrs. Lauren had sensed it from the beginning, but now, after Damien’s admission that his blood lust had awakened the day he met Elena, those suspicions had only deepened.

She had sent out letters to the ancient seers, those who were said to have a direct line to the wisdom of the Moon Goddess herself. Perhaps they could uncover the truth about Elena, about who or what she really was. It had taken weeks to receive a response, and each day had felt like an eternity as she waited for news.

A soft knock at the door broke her from her reverie. One of the pack’s young messengers stepped into the room, bowing slightly as he handed her a sealed letter. Mrs. Lauren’s breath caught in her throat as s