Her Hidden Power

The rain had been falling since sundown, drumming against the roof of the Blackwood Pack’s border cabins and soaking the dirt paths that cut through the woods. Aria pulled her hood tighter around her face and stepped off the porch, ignoring the faint voice of her mother calling her back inside. Tonight wasn’t a night to stay in. Tonight, something restless burned beneath her skin, urging her out into the storm.Her eighteenth birthday.For weeks, she had felt it building, this strange pull in her chest, this prickling awareness at the edges of her senses. It was as though the forest itself was waiting for her.She slipped between the trees, her boots sinking into the wet earth, heart pounding in rhythm with the thunder. She did not know where she was going, only that she needed to keep moving.A growl split the silence.Aria froze. The sound was low, dangerous, too close. Her eyes darted through the shadows until she saw them, a pair of yellow eyes glinting in the darkness. A rogue.H

The rain had finally ceased, leaving the forest dripping and glistening under the pale light of a waning moon. The scent of wet earth and pine filled the air, thick and alive, carrying with it a sense of something ancient and untamed. Aria’s boots sank into the soft, muddy ground as she moved cautiously through the Blackwood Pack’s territory. Her wrists still tingled faintly, a reminder of the glow that had traced across her skin the night before, and the ache from the mate bond lingered stubbornly, twisting at her chest with every step.She paused beside a gnarled tree, pressing her palms to its rough bark for balance. The faint shimmer of light pulsed along her wrists again, quivering like a heartbeat beneath her skin. Clenching her fists, she willed it to respond, and the glow spread along her arms, warm and insistent. The ground beneath her feet seemed almost alive, shifting subtly as if aware of her presence. She inhaled, tasting the damp air, and whispered to herself, “Control…

The forest was still shrouded in mist when Aria stepped quietly between the trees, the first light of dawn filtering through the dense canopy. Dew clung to the leaves and soaked her boots, the earth beneath her feet alive with the scent of damp moss and soil. Her wrists tingled faintly, a reminder that her power pulsed even when dormant, waiting for her command. The bond throbbed in her chest, a tether to Damon she could neither ignore nor resist. Somewhere out there, he was close—or perhaps just a presence she could feel but not see.A sudden snap of a branch jolted her attention. Her heart pounded in her chest as a rogue wolf emerged from the shadows, larger than the one from the previous night. Its fur was black as midnight, eyes glowing with malice, teeth bared. A low growl vibrated through the mist, and Aria’s chest tightened instinctively.The bond flared. She could feel Damon’s reaction, sharp and protective, even though he remained unseen. Adrenaline surged through her, her pu

The forest hung heavy with morning mist, each leaf glistening with dew. Aria moved cautiously, though her confidence had grown. The glow beneath her skin hummed steadily, a familiar pulse now. The rogue attack had been a warning, a reminder that her power was a gift, yes, but also a target. The mate bond throbbed in her chest. Damon had promised not to leave her again, yet the tension between them lingered, unspoken, undeniable. She paused at the edge of the pack territory, where the trees opened into a small clearing. Her hands tingled, urging her forward, as if the forest itself called her to uncover something hidden. A rustle in the shadows made her spin. Damon emerged, silver eyes alert, his body taut with readiness. “You should not be here alone,” he said quietly, concern clear in his voice, but without accusation this time. “I need to understand my power,” Aria said firmly, holding her glowing hands aloft. “The forest, the stones, the bond they all feel connected. I cannot w

The moonlight spilled through the half-open curtains, silver streaks dancing across the wooden floor. Eva lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her heart refusing to calm even hours after the night’s events. Sleep had teased her, but each time she drifted close, the memory of fire in her veins and the glow in her eyes pulled her back, sharp and unforgiving. She pressed a hand against her chest, expecting the same searing heat beneath her skin. Nothing. Just the steady rhythm of her heart, too quick, too fragile. Maybe it was all in her head. Maybe she had dreamt it. But then why had her reflection in the cracked bathroom mirror shown eyes blazing gold, wild and alive with something unexplainable? She turned onto her side, pulling the thin blanket tighter. Shadows gathered in the corners of her room, stretching unnaturally long, as if reaching for her. The silence was heavy. Too heavy. Somewhere deep inside, she knew she wasn’t alone. A floorboard creaked outside her door. Her breath