"Then how do we pass it?" Kade asked, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger."We face it," Luna said, stepping forward despite Alec’s protest. Her voice steadied as she spoke to the figures. "If you’re here to test us, then let us prove ourselves. No more games."The figures all seemed to tilt their heads slightly, as if pondering her words. At last, one spoke. "Very well, Moonbearer, but know this: truth is a two-edged sword."The shadows receded a bit, but not enough to feel safe. The room changed again. This time, it was an oval arena with walls lined with mirrors. Each reflected a distorted version of their faces: anguish, rage, and despair."Choose," the voices said. "Look into the mirror that calls to you, and face what you fear most."Luna hesitated, her heart racing. The others were throwing worried looks around the group."This is insane," Jax said softly, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides."No," Luna whispered, matching his gaze. "This is our way forwa
Luna Rivers narrowed her glare at the heavens, observing as dark clouds obscured the last semblance of the dying sun. The light faded quickly, throwing long veins of exploring shadows through the dense forest that flanked her new home. In her current surroundings, she had yet to see another living soul, which felt remarkably jarring, though also oddly… right. The old cabin sat at the end of a forgotten road and was entombed somewhere deep in the mountains; it was some… five miles from the nearest town. The cabin was bequeathed to her by her parents; even as they were alive they had not once brought the property to her attention. Luna only discovered the deed after their untimely passing and it was buried in the drawers of her mother’s desk as though it was a family secret taken to the grave.And here I am, in front of the cabin with my suitcase at my feet, both apprehensive and hopeful. Luna's life had gone through a rough patch of unfortunate events. She had lost her parents in a fr
Luna’s heart raced as she stood frozen in the middle of the cabin. The name "Ronan" echoed in her mind like a bell, a chill of fear washed over her. She didn’t know who or what Ronan was, but the fear in the man’s voice was undeniable. “Who is Ronan?” Luna asked, timidly. Silence. The only sound came from the noise crackling in the fire. That warmth felt very far away from the danger she suspected was outside.Another knock, softer this time, then the voice returned. “Open the door, Luna. We need to talk. We don’t have a lot of time.” Her fingers tightened around the blankets around her shoulders, tightening all the fear swelling inside. All her instincts screamed for her to run, but she didn’t know where to go. She didn’t know the forest. The nearest town was miles away. These men or whatever they were seemed to know her, and if they knew her name, what else had they figured out? Luna swallowed hard. Her mind raced through the options she had. Maybe she could get out the back and
The night air hit Luna like a cold slap as she stepped out of the cabin, her backpack slung over her shoulder. The trees appeared tall and dark with their branches twisting like skeletal arms against the bright full moon. She could feel the men walking behind her, the footfalls quiet but powerful.Alec walked ahead leading them into the thick of the forest. Jax was still close to her, scanning their surroundings with his eyes, and Kade walked last, maintaining silence that only added to the tension. Luna felt like she was walking into a trap, but wether it was the truth or not, staying at the cabin was just as dangerous. Maybe even more dangerous.She glanced at Jax, catching him looking back at her with a smirk. "Do you expect me to develop fur and howl at the moon?" He grinned teasingly, his tone earnest but light-hearted.Despite her erratic heartbeat, Luna was able to chuckle shakily. "I am trying not to think about it.""You really will get used to it," Jax replied with a smile,
The woods closed in as they moved deeper into them, the moon continuously spreading silvery rays across their pathway. She did her best to stay tight to Alec, trying to block out the trembling that ran through her body with each step. Whether the trembling caused by the cold or the remnants of the adrenaline that ran through her body from the fight, she could not tell. It smelled rich of pine and earth, but buried beneath it was something dark—something deadly. After what she thought was hours, Alec finally slowed. In front of them, the trees began parting. On the other side of the trees was an opening, with a large stone structure in the middle, with other smaller structures that blended in with the woods. The cabin was grand, rustic, and reminded her of some sort of imagination, and it felt as if it was ancient,sunk within the earth. "This is it," Alec said quietly, breaking the silence. "Welcome to our land." Luna's eyes widened as she took her surroundings in. The structure was
The sun was coming up, and the air carried a bite with it—the sky only beginning to glow light as it woke from the sleep of night. Luna found her way to a clearing behind the big stone house with the chimney as a dark silhouette up against the brightening sky. She stood in the cold; her breath fogging up in the air long before she thought she'd be finished. She was tired, still sore from the happenings of the previous night but Alec had insisted they start training early. There was no time to waste. “Okay,” Alec commanded, standing a few feet in front of her, arms crossed. “We are going to start by tapping into your connection to the moon. That is where your power originates and you need to be able to pull on it at will.” Luna nodded, but her nerves felt like a tornado. She had no idea how she would reach for a power she didn’t even feel. “And… how do I do that?” Alec smiled a small smile. “Close your eyes.” Luna blinked at him, then managed to comply, her lashes fluttering dow
Luna's heart beat feverishly, pulse roiling in her ears as the hulking wolf charged, human hands tucked close to enormous jaws. She stood rooted, mind screaming at body, but body did not answer against the looming harbinger, paralyzed by degree of fear. "Luna, run!" Alec's voice was harsh with urgency but barely started to sink in.In an instant, Alec’s body changed. Painfully, his bones popped and reforms as his clothes tore, his form expanding into the buff form of a midnight-black wolf. He lunged with a snarl that sighed through the clearing, right in Ronan's face.A collision as unimaginable as it was brutal: two bears of violence smashing together with incredible weight and strength and energy. Ronan withdrew his teeth, slashing into Alec's side and twisting, swinging a massive foreleg and slamming Alec down to the ground.Kade and Jax were in motion too. Kade shifted in a flash to his rippling gray wolf before charging in, while Jax stayed human, circling, alert, eyes fixed wi
The fire crackled softly in the hearth, and all should have been well, but its glow's warmth barely reached Luna as she took her seat perched uncomfortably on the edge of the well-worn leather couch, an uncomfortable distance away from the heat of the flames and instead, on the very edge of the unknown. She stared blankly into the light consuming logs, captivated as her mind produced scenes, and minutes, and minutes of everything that had happened just a few minutes earlier in the forest: The power; the warning that Ronan had just unleashed; being terrified and realizing that what she witnessed in the woods meant there were others like him!Alec, Kade and Jax remained in the same room and were quietly talking amongst themselves about their strategy of what to do next. Their voices were soft, but Luna could feel the tension stretched thin and rising in the air, as they worried about her, about what Ronan warned.She couldn't blame them. She was worried too. "You okay?" Jax asked after
"Then how do we pass it?" Kade asked, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger."We face it," Luna said, stepping forward despite Alec’s protest. Her voice steadied as she spoke to the figures. "If you’re here to test us, then let us prove ourselves. No more games."The figures all seemed to tilt their heads slightly, as if pondering her words. At last, one spoke. "Very well, Moonbearer, but know this: truth is a two-edged sword."The shadows receded a bit, but not enough to feel safe. The room changed again. This time, it was an oval arena with walls lined with mirrors. Each reflected a distorted version of their faces: anguish, rage, and despair."Choose," the voices said. "Look into the mirror that calls to you, and face what you fear most."Luna hesitated, her heart racing. The others were throwing worried looks around the group."This is insane," Jax said softly, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides."No," Luna whispered, matching his gaze. "This is our way forwa
Jax’s voice was softer now but still laced with uncertainty. “For what it's worth, I’m not going anywhere either.”Kade nodded silently and his presence a steady anchor.Even Morgana gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. “For now.”Luna looked at each of them as her heart ached with gratitude and fear. "Thank you. All of you."Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them trembled a bit and there was a faint sound of a distant drum.“Now what?” Jax muttered, drawing his weapon.The mist in front parted to reveal a huge stone door covered with delicate symbols that appeared to glow faintly.“The Veil’s core,” Morgana whispered, her expression uncharacteristically serious.Luna stepped forward, her heart pounding. “What’s behind it?”She caught Morgana’s gaze, and this time there was a sincere note in her voice that was unexpected. “The truth.”Her hand reached out to the door, without laying on it a voice as if it from nowhere pierced her heart.“Luna…” That was her mother's
“I already made my choice,” Luna said firmly.“Have you?” the figure asked, almost mournfully. “Your heart is divided. It carries the weight of loyalty, love, and trust. Yet beware—hearts that are divided cannot survive under the burden of the Veil.”Alec stepped forward, jaw set. “Leave her alone. She doesn’t need your cryptic warnings from some ghost.”The figure turned its glowing gaze toward Alec. "And you, Protector, what will you do when the Moonbearer's light burns too bright for you to stand beside her?"Alec’s expression darkened, but before he could retort, the figure turned its gaze to Jax. “And you, Guardian of the Spirit. For how long will you mask your insecurities with wit?”Jax flinched, his mask of confidence faltering.“And Kade,” the figure said, turning to the silent warrior. “Do you ever intend to release the shackles of guilt, or will it drag you down into the darkness?”“Enough!” Luna shouted, her voice slicing through the tension. “You don’t know us. You don’t
Corvin's smirk evapor, and for the first time, his face turned solemn. "The Moonbearer’s power is not a blessing, but a curse. To wield it is to become well beyond the norm, half the world more than likely would not recognize. It means sacrifices."“What sacrifices?” Luna demanded.He pointed to her friends. “The connections you’ve built. The life you’ve lived. The love you’ve discovered. It all could be lost.”Alec stepped forward, his voice resolute. "Luna, you need to listen to me. We're going to take on whatever we do together. Don't let him frighten you into the wrong choice."Corvin’s gaze flicked to Alec, and his silver eyes narrowed. “You say that now, but wait until she turns into something you can’t protect anymore. Something you can’t even begin to understand?”“I’ll take that risk,” Alec said without hesitation.Luna’s world turned to mud as she looked at the people who had shaped her world. Alec, Jax, Kade, even Morgana with her sick twist had been part of her story. And
Luna turned to Alec, her voice shaking. "What is he talking about?"Alec’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t answer.Jax stepped in, his voice calm but thick with guilt. "It's true. We swore to protect you, but... part of that oath was to keep certain things from you. Things about your parents and their connection to the prophecy. Luna, it's the same prophecy and truth that all these people are always referring to".Luna felt as if her heart was sinking. “You knew it? This whole time you knew it and said nothing. That is my pain”.“We didn’t want you to be burdened with it,–” Alec began with a pleading voice. “You already had so much trouble, Luna. We thought it was the correct decision to make.”“Right for who?” she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger. “For me or for yourselves?”Kade stepped forward. "Luna, they were trying to protect you. We all were. That doesn't make it right, but their intentions were good.""I don't care about intentions!" she yelled, her voice cracking. "I care abo
“Who the hell are you?” Kade demanded, stepping forward, his blade raised:The figure laughed, a sound laced with bitter sarcasm. "You may call me Corvin. I've been waiting a long time for this moment to arrive."Luna’s blood ran cold. “Waiting for what?”"Then the truth shall come out," said Corvin as his hood fell back revealing a jagged angular face and piercing silver eyes. "And then you'll find out who your friends actually are."“What are you talking about?” Alec growled, his body tense.Corvin's eyes zeroed in on Alec and Jax, his grin spreading. “Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”Luna’s heart pounded. “What is he saying?”Alec felt Luna's pain and shook his head. "Luna, don't listen to him. He's just trying to play with your mind."“Am I?” Corvin said, feigning ignorance. “Or am I simply revealing the truth they’ve been hiding from you all along?”Jax stepped forward, his jaw tight. "You don't know anything about us."Corvin raised a
But Luna couldn't look away. "But it looks like her. It sounds like her...""The Moonbearer has great potential," the figure—her mother’s apparition—said, her eyes glowing with an unnatural light. "But potential means nothing if you cannot control it. You are not yet worthy of the power you seek."Luna shook her head. Her heart was pounding in her chest. “No. I… I am worthy. I can control it.”"You're mistaken," the figure said, her voice rich with a profound resonance. "Luna, you pose a threat to this world. You are its very foundation to ruin."“Stop!” Alec shouted, pulling Luna backwards from the apparition that was getting closer to them. “This isn’t actually happening, Luna. It’s only a test. The Veil is testing you. Don’t believe in it.”But Luna couldn’t look away from the shape of her mother. Those words pierced her heart. Key to its destruction. The exact words that had haunted her since learning about the prophecy.“I don’t want this,” Luna whispered, the tears rising in he
Morgana clasped her hands, her sound making a sharp contrast in the tense silence. “Oh no the drama of every thing...Just like a story book family. That's so sweet.”"Why are you here, Morgana?" Jax snapped. "What do you want?"“I want what I’ve always wanted,” she said, her smile fading. “To see the Moonbearer fulfill her destiny. And to stop those who betrayed us from doing any more harm.”Her gaze settled on Alec and Jax, her features hardening. "They are not whom you think they are, Luna. They are more than your allies. They are your soulmates. Bound to you by destiny, true: but also by their individual choices. And those choices of theirs have not always been virtuous."Luna’s head spun with the weight of Morgana’s words crashing down upon her. “What does that mean?”“It means,” Morgana said, her tone dripping with venom, “that they’re as much your guardians as they are your possible downfall.”Before anyone could make an objection the earth shook as if it would fall to pieces a
She paused and turned to him. “But it seems you have lied to me. Every single one of you. How am I supposed to trust any of you if you continue keeping secrets from me?”Kade stepped forward, his face a mixture of emotions. "Luna, we were just trying to protect you—"“Don’t say that again!” she screamed, her voice wandering amidst the trees. “I am not a child, Kade! I expect the truth however ugly or even painful it is. Perhaps you have never felt completely clueless about your destiny?”The group fell silent, it was so obvious that her words carried great weight.Alec mentioned in a low voice, “I didn't want to lose you,” his eyes gleamed.“You already have,” she whispered, her voice breaking.The wolf’s growl echoed through the forest, drawing their attention.“We should keep moving,” Mira said, her tone uncharacteristically subdued.Luna wiped her eyes and looked away from Alec, following the wolf. The others followed in silence, a sign of the fractures beginning to form in their r