Alec's hand found hers and squeezed gently. "We are real, Luna. Whatever it took from you, we are here, and we aren't going anywhere."“Speak for yourself,” Kade muttered, earning a glare from Alec.“Kade, not now,” snapped Selene, stepping forward. Her voice was steady but had a sharpness to it. “Luna’s been through something and no one else is pointing fingers.”“Pointing fingers?” Kade narrowed his eyes. “I’m not pointing fingers. I said we’ve followed her blindly, and now she’s supposedly the heir to the moon? We deserve some answers, don’t we?”"I didn't ask for any of this!" Luna retorted, rising to her feet. Her voice rang in the cavern, silencing everyone. "Do you think this was my choice? Losing my parents, having my life turned upside down? I'm trying to figure this out just as much as you are!"The room fell into a heavy silence.Jax interrupted, his voice soft yet authoritative. "She's correct. None of us volunteered for this, but we all share the burden. Luna has been the
Kaelde crossed his arms. "Fine. Let's say she's right about the timing. That doesn't explain why Luna is this supposed savior. What makes her so special?"“Kade,” Alec warned, his tone low.“No, it’s okay,” Luna interjected, looking straight into Kade’s eyes. “I’ve been asking myself that too. I don’t have all the solutions or answers but one thing I am sure of: I’m not backing down. Not now.”Kade held her gaze for a moment before he looked away, his shoulders tense. "Hope you're ready to back it up."“Enough,” Selene said, her voice slicing through the tension. “We need to concentrate. If the eclipse is in two nights, we don’t have any time to waste.”Jax tilted his head and squinted as he thought. “We’re going to need allies. Shadow wolves can’t be any better than they sound, and we sure don’t want to face them alone.”"Who is going to help us?" Alec asked. "The Packs are scattered. Half of them don't even trust each other anymore."“What about the Crescent Ridge Pack?” Selene of
Luna held her ground. "I think you do care about your pack. Enough to put your pride behind and do what has to be done."For a moment, both Alphas held each other’s gaze in a silent war of command. At last, Ronan huffed and took a step back.“Fine,” he said. “We’ll hear you out. But if this is a trick, there won’t be enough of you left to regret it.”Luna nodded, and relief washed over her, though she didn’t let it show. “Fair enough.”Ronan waved his hand to tell the wolves to stand down, and Kade whispered, “Isn’t he just so charming?”Jax nudged him with an elbow. "Let's just get through this without starting another war, okay?"The Crescent Ridge wolves led them to a large clearing where a huge bonfire burned. The Packs were seated in two separate clusters, separated by an invisible line of distrust.Ronan spoke to his Pack with a commanding voice. "Listen up. We're supposedly fighting shadow wolves and this—" he gestured to the relic in Luna's possession, "key to defeating them.
Luna could feel them looking at her, waiting, anticipating. Taking a shaky breath, she said, "We can't fight them alone. We have to rally the other Packs."Ronan crossed his arms; it didn't show what he was thinking. "That's asking for a lot, Luna. Convincing Crescent Ridge Pack to help was one thing. Uniting all the Packs is a whole other battle.""Then we'll fight it," she said forcefully. "Because if we don't, none will survive."Ronan gave her a long considering look and slowly nodded. "All right. I'll send word out. But you had better be ready to lead. In order for them to listen to you, you'll have to show them." Luna nodded, determination hardening her heart. "I will do it."As the Packs was tending to their wounded and regrouping, Alec pulled her aside and searched her eyes."You good?" he softly asked."I don't know," she admitted, voice trembling. "That power felt like it wasn't just me that it was all about. Like it was bigger than me. Like the moon itself was guiding me."
Luna felt the chaos strike her with the force of a blow, an acrid air foul with smoke, blood, and fear, as villagers ran in all directions screaming, with shadow wolves leaping from the shadows.Alec was going on all fours with a howl that cut through the din. A call to chambers echoed to ready their allies."Spread out!" Ronan yelled, already in action as he hacked at a shadow wolf. "Protect the villagers!"Selene grabbed Luna's arm. "Stick close. Malachai wants you, and he'll not have you on our watch.”"I won't just stand by!" Luna said, clutching the shining relic."Then don't," Selene huffed, pulling release. "But don't make it easy for him to drag you close."A little more confidence; Luna nodded, holding faster to the relic, feeling warm to her fingertips but with an insistent thrum to it.Jax stood alongside her, with two daggers in hand. "You got this, Moonbeam," he said, handing a smile that was rare and sincere. "Don't be fooled, you have us." Before she could answer, a sh
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,
Luna felt the chaos strike her with the force of a blow, an acrid air foul with smoke, blood, and fear, as villagers ran in all directions screaming, with shadow wolves leaping from the shadows.Alec was going on all fours with a howl that cut through the din. A call to chambers echoed to ready their allies."Spread out!" Ronan yelled, already in action as he hacked at a shadow wolf. "Protect the villagers!"Selene grabbed Luna's arm. "Stick close. Malachai wants you, and he'll not have you on our watch.”"I won't just stand by!" Luna said, clutching the shining relic."Then don't," Selene huffed, pulling release. "But don't make it easy for him to drag you close."A little more confidence; Luna nodded, holding faster to the relic, feeling warm to her fingertips but with an insistent thrum to it.Jax stood alongside her, with two daggers in hand. "You got this, Moonbeam," he said, handing a smile that was rare and sincere. "Don't be fooled, you have us." Before she could answer, a sh
Luna could feel them looking at her, waiting, anticipating. Taking a shaky breath, she said, "We can't fight them alone. We have to rally the other Packs."Ronan crossed his arms; it didn't show what he was thinking. "That's asking for a lot, Luna. Convincing Crescent Ridge Pack to help was one thing. Uniting all the Packs is a whole other battle.""Then we'll fight it," she said forcefully. "Because if we don't, none will survive."Ronan gave her a long considering look and slowly nodded. "All right. I'll send word out. But you had better be ready to lead. In order for them to listen to you, you'll have to show them." Luna nodded, determination hardening her heart. "I will do it."As the Packs was tending to their wounded and regrouping, Alec pulled her aside and searched her eyes."You good?" he softly asked."I don't know," she admitted, voice trembling. "That power felt like it wasn't just me that it was all about. Like it was bigger than me. Like the moon itself was guiding me."
Luna held her ground. "I think you do care about your pack. Enough to put your pride behind and do what has to be done."For a moment, both Alphas held each other’s gaze in a silent war of command. At last, Ronan huffed and took a step back.“Fine,” he said. “We’ll hear you out. But if this is a trick, there won’t be enough of you left to regret it.”Luna nodded, and relief washed over her, though she didn’t let it show. “Fair enough.”Ronan waved his hand to tell the wolves to stand down, and Kade whispered, “Isn’t he just so charming?”Jax nudged him with an elbow. "Let's just get through this without starting another war, okay?"The Crescent Ridge wolves led them to a large clearing where a huge bonfire burned. The Packs were seated in two separate clusters, separated by an invisible line of distrust.Ronan spoke to his Pack with a commanding voice. "Listen up. We're supposedly fighting shadow wolves and this—" he gestured to the relic in Luna's possession, "key to defeating them.
Kaelde crossed his arms. "Fine. Let's say she's right about the timing. That doesn't explain why Luna is this supposed savior. What makes her so special?"“Kade,” Alec warned, his tone low.“No, it’s okay,” Luna interjected, looking straight into Kade’s eyes. “I’ve been asking myself that too. I don’t have all the solutions or answers but one thing I am sure of: I’m not backing down. Not now.”Kade held her gaze for a moment before he looked away, his shoulders tense. "Hope you're ready to back it up."“Enough,” Selene said, her voice slicing through the tension. “We need to concentrate. If the eclipse is in two nights, we don’t have any time to waste.”Jax tilted his head and squinted as he thought. “We’re going to need allies. Shadow wolves can’t be any better than they sound, and we sure don’t want to face them alone.”"Who is going to help us?" Alec asked. "The Packs are scattered. Half of them don't even trust each other anymore."“What about the Crescent Ridge Pack?” Selene of
Alec's hand found hers and squeezed gently. "We are real, Luna. Whatever it took from you, we are here, and we aren't going anywhere."“Speak for yourself,” Kade muttered, earning a glare from Alec.“Kade, not now,” snapped Selene, stepping forward. Her voice was steady but had a sharpness to it. “Luna’s been through something and no one else is pointing fingers.”“Pointing fingers?” Kade narrowed his eyes. “I’m not pointing fingers. I said we’ve followed her blindly, and now she’s supposedly the heir to the moon? We deserve some answers, don’t we?”"I didn't ask for any of this!" Luna retorted, rising to her feet. Her voice rang in the cavern, silencing everyone. "Do you think this was my choice? Losing my parents, having my life turned upside down? I'm trying to figure this out just as much as you are!"The room fell into a heavy silence.Jax interrupted, his voice soft yet authoritative. "She's correct. None of us volunteered for this, but we all share the burden. Luna has been the
As Luna’s surroundings changed, the silver landscape faded away into the past. She was once again in her childhood home, where her mother’s cooking was all that could fill an empty room. The warm glow of the fireplace filled the room and she almost felt it for a moment.“Luna, sweetheart, can you grab the salt?” her mother’s voice called from the kitchen.She felt her chest tighten as she pivoted towards the sound. And there was her mother, alive and smiling, it was almost like the tragic night before never occurred.“Mom?” Luna’s voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes.Her mother turned, wiping the tears from her eyes with her apron. “What is it dear? You look like a person who has seen an apparition in daylight.”"I..." Luna faltered in her words. She wanted to run to her, hug her, and never let go but a flicker of doubt held her back.“Do you know where you are, Luna?” The wolf’s voice echoed faintly, far away yet close.Luna clenched her fists. Her heart was telling her somethi
Jax hesitated, his jaw clenching. "The relic it's not stable anymore. That light and a bit of behavior it's reacting to it's warning you the power of the moon is unraveling and if you don't act soon it might take you with it."“Great,” Kade growled. “Another doom-filled prophecy. Just what we needed.”Selene stepped forward, her voice slicing through the tension. “Before we spiral further, let’s just take a moment to orient ourselves. We need to regroup and come up with our next move.”Alec nodded, keeping his arm around Luna. "Agreed. Luna's not in a state to make decisions right now. We need answers first."The group stood up, their surroundings slowly coming into focus. They were in an underground cave, the walls sparkling with wetness. Odd symbols were carved in the rock, meaning unknown."Doesn't anyone else feel like we're being watched?" Kade said softly, scanning the cavern with his eyes.“I’ve felt it since we landed,” Selene said, drawing her blade. “Stay sharp.”The air gre
The woman’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “I am merely a vessel, an echo of the relic’s authority. And in that, I speak for the moon's timeless knowledge.”Luna clenched her fists, raising her voice. “Stop with the riddles! If you have answers, just give them to me. Why are you doing this? What does the moon want from me?”The woman's expression softened, but she remained disturbing. "The moon chose you, Luna, because you are its essence in a human form. Its energy runs through your blood, mingled with the relic's enchantment. But such power comes with a price."“What cost?” Luna pressed, her frustration mounting."Sacrifice," the woman repeated. "The life you've known. The relationships you’ve built. Those would keep you here, but the moon wants freedom; to open its arms to you, you have to cut those chords."Alec’s voice broke the building tension. “She doesn’t have to do anything you say. We’ll find another way.”“There's no other way,” the woman said, her voice colder now. “Defiance o
Kade managed to get unsteadily to his feet and golden eyes swept the room. “I’m fine. Where’s Luna?”“Here,” a soft voice echoed, drawing their attention.Luna stood in the middle of the cave, facing away from them. The relic pulsed softly against her chest, its light feeble and intermittent. Shadows swirled around her as though animated, murmuring secrets that only she seemed to hear.“Luna,” Alec shouted, feeling relief rush through him. He stepped toward her, but Kade’s hand shot out and “Wait,” Kade warned, his voice low. “Something’s wrong.”Luna turned slowly, pale, and with tears down her cheeks. Her eyes were normally so bright but now they looked dull and haunted.“Luna,” Alec said again, his voice softer now. “What happened? Are you hurt?”She shook her head, her lips trembling. “I saw them.”“Who?” Selene stepped forward cautiously.“My parents,” Luna whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “And…” She faltered, eyes flicking to Jax.Jax froze, his face a mask of guilt.“An