BOUNDED BY MOONLIGHT

The moon hung low in the night sky, its silvery glow casting an ethereal light on the dense forest surrounding the small town of Silverpine. Elora ran her fingers through her dark, her breath visible in the crisp air. She stood at the edge of the woods, her heart pounding in anticipation. She had always felt a pull toward the forest, a connection she couldn’t explain. Tonight, it felt stronger than ever.

“You shouldn’t be out here this late,” came a voice from behind her.

Elora turned sharply, startled. Joel stood a few feet away, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his leather jacket. His messy blonde hair caught the moonlight, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to look straight through her. Joel was the kind of person who drew attention effortlessly, but he also carried an air of mystery that kept people at a distance.

“And you shouldn’t sneak up on people,” Elora shot back, crossing her arms.

Joel’s lips quirked into a half-smile. “Fair enough. But seriously, what are you doing here?”

Elora hesitated. How could she explain the restless energy that had driven her to the woods? She shrugged instead. “Couldn’t sleep. Thought a walk might help.”

Joel’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. “The woods aren’t safe at night. Not anymore.”

“Not anymore?” Elora repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

“It’s not a joke,” Joel said, his tone serious now. “People have gone missing. Some say they’ve seen… things.”

Elora rolled her eyes. “Oh, let me guess. Big, bad wolves?”

Joel didn’t respond immediately, his jaw tightening. Elora’s teasing smile faded as she caught the tension in his expression. “You’re serious,” she said softly.

“You should go home,” Joel said firmly, taking a step closer. “This isn’t a game, Elora.”

But Elora wasn’t the kind to back down, especially not when someone told her what to do. “I’m not afraid of the dark,” she said, lifting her chin defiantly.

Joel sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Stubborn as ever.” He hesitated, then added, “Fine. If you won’t leave, at least let me walk with you.”

Elora considered protesting but decided against it. Joel’s presence, though infuriating at times, was oddly reassuring. Together, they stepped into the woods, the shadows swallowing them whole.

The forest was alive with the sounds of the night: the rustle of leaves, the hoot of an owl, the distant howl of a wolf. Elora felt her pulse quicken at the sound, though she couldn’t tell if it was from fear or excitement. Beside her, Joel seemed tense, his eyes scanning their surroundings as if expecting something to jump out at them.

“So, what’s the real reason you’re out here?” Joel asked after a while.

Elora hesitated. She had never told anyone about the dreams—the vivid, haunting dreams of a wolf with eyes like fire and a voice that seemed to call her name. She didn’t even understand them herself.

“I needed some air,” she said finally, avoiding his gaze.

Joel didn’t push her, but she could ...feel his curiosity lingering like a shadow between them. His silence was both a relief and a challenge, as though he was giving her the space to speak while daring her to tell him the truth.

The deeper they walked into the woods, the more the atmosphere seemed to change. The air grew colder, heavier, and the sounds of the forest faded into an unsettling quiet. Elora glanced at Joel, whose posture had shifted. He was no longer casually strolling; his movements were purposeful, his muscles taut as if ready to react at any moment.

“You’re really on edge,” Elora said, trying to sound casual, though her own nerves were starting to fray.

Joel stopped walking and turned to her, his expression grave. “You think this is just a game, don’t you?”

Elora opened her mouth to reply, but a low growl cut through the air. It wasn’t distant like the howl they’d heard earlier; it was close—too close. She froze, her eyes darting around the darkness that seemed to press in from all sides.

“What was that?” she whispered.

Joel didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped in front of her, his body a shield. His head tilted slightly as if listening for something, his eyes scanning the shadows. The growl came again, louder this time, and Elora felt a chill race down her spine.

“Stay behind me,” Joel ordered, his voice low and firm.

“What are you—”

“Just do it,” he snapped, cutting her off. His usual teasing demeanor was gone, replaced by an intensity that made her heart pound. She took a step back, her instincts screaming at her to run, but her feet wouldn’t move.

The bushes ahead rustled, and a figure emerged—a creature unlike anything Elora had ever seen. It was massive, its fur dark as the night, its eyes glowing an unnatural amber. Its presence was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a primal force that demanded her attention.

Elora’s breath hitched. She couldn’t look away, even as every nerve in her body screamed danger.

The creature growled again, its gaze locked on her. Joel stepped forward, his stance protective. “Elora,” he said without looking back, his voice steady, “when I tell you to run, you run. Don’t stop, don’t look back. Understand?”

She shook her head, her voice trembling. “I’m not leaving you.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Joel said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Go!”

The creature lunged, and Joel moved faster than Elora thought possible. He pushed her aside, his body colliding with the beast in a blur of motion. Elora stumbled, her mind screaming at her to run, but her feet felt rooted to the spot.

She watched, heart in her throat, as Joel fought the creature with a ferocity that didn’t seem human. For a moment, it looked like he might have the upper hand, but the beast was relentless.

“Elora!” Joel shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Run!”

This time, she obeyed. She turned and sprinted, the sounds of the struggle fading as she pushed deeper into the forest. But even as she ran, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was far from over—that whatever had drawn her to the woods tonight was only the beginning.