MOON BOUND

Luna Hale had always hated the full moon.

She had never known why.

It wasn't a fear she could explain. She wasn't afraid of the dark. She could walk through the house at midnight without turning on a single light, and she had spent countless nights sitting beside her bedroom window watching thunderstorms roll across the sky.

But the full moon was different.

Whenever it appeared—round, bright, and impossibly close—something inside Luna became restless.

Her dreams changed.

Her senses sharpened.

Sometimes, she woke in the middle of the night convinced that someone was whispering her name from somewhere beyond the trees.

And lately, the dreams had become worse.

Much worse.

Luna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the silver light spilling across her bedroom floor.

Tomorrow was her eighteenth birthday.

Most girls her age would have been excited.

Luna wasn't.

She couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for her.

Something she couldn't see.

Something she couldn't escape.

She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand.

11:47 p.m.

Thirteen minutes until midnight.

Luna sighed and reached for the bracelet around her wrist.

It was old.

Very old.

Her aunt had given it to her when she was six years old and had warned her never to remove it.

The bracelet was simple: a thin silver chain with a small crescent-shaped pendant.

Luna had worn it almost every day since.

She had asked her aunt where it came from dozens of times.

Her aunt always gave the same answer.

"It belonged to your mother."

That was all.

Luna had never known her mother.

She had never known her father either.

According to the story she'd been told, her parents had died when she was a baby.

A car accident.

That was what Aunt Evelyn had said.

Luna had never questioned it.

Not until recently.

She touched the crescent pendant.

For some reason, it felt warm.

She frowned.

"That's weird."

She pulled the bracelet closer.

The silver seemed to shimmer beneath the moonlight.

Then Luna heard something.

A faint scratching sound.

She looked toward the window.

Scratch.

Scratch.

Scratch.

Her body stiffened.

The sound came from outside.

She slowly stood.

The curtains were open.

Beyond the glass was the backyard, followed by the beginning of the forest.

The Hale house sat at the very edge of the town, close enough to the woods that Luna could see the tree line from her bedroom.

People in town called the forest Blackwood Forest.

There were stories about it.

Some were silly.

Others weren't.

Children were warned never to enter.

Hunters rarely went beyond the first few miles.

And every few years, someone claimed they had seen strange animals moving between the trees.

Luna had always assumed those stories were exaggerated.

Until tonight.

She moved toward the window.

The scratching stopped.

Silence.

Luna stared into the darkness.

Nothing.

Then two golden eyes appeared between the trees.

Her breath caught.

A wolf.

It stood perfectly still.

Luna couldn't see its entire body, but she could see enough to know it was enormous.

Much larger than any wolf she'd ever seen.

It stared directly at her.

Luna's heart began pounding.

The animal didn't move.

Neither did she.

Something about its eyes felt familiar.

Not familiar like she'd seen the wolf before.

Familiar like she knew it.

The thought was ridiculous.

Luna shook her head.

"No."

She stepped backward.

The wolf's head tilted.

Then it disappeared.

Luna rushed to the window.

She pulled the curtains shut.

Her hands were trembling.

"Okay," she whispered. "I'm officially losing my mind."

She turned around.

A loud howl echoed through the forest.

Luna froze.

It was followed by another.

Then another.

The sounds seemed to come from different directions.

Her bedroom suddenly felt too small.

She grabbed her jacket.

She didn't know why.

Maybe she wanted to prove to herself that there was nothing out there.

Maybe she needed fresh air.

Whatever the reason, she couldn't stay inside.

She opened her bedroom door.

As she stepped into the hallway, she heard her aunt downstairs.

"You're not going out."

Luna stopped.

She leaned over the railing.

Aunt Evelyn stood in the living room.

She wasn't looking at Luna.

She was looking through the front window.

Toward the forest.

Luna descended the stairs.

"How did you know I was going outside?"

Evelyn turned.

Her face was unusually pale.

"Because I know you."

Luna folded her arms.

"It's almost midnight."

"I know."

"And tomorrow is my birthday."

"I know that too."

"Then why are you acting like something terrible is about to happen?"

Evelyn's expression changed.

Only for a second.

But Luna noticed.

"You heard the wolves," Evelyn said.

It wasn't a question.

Luna stared at her.

"You know what they are?"

Evelyn walked toward the curtains and closed them.

"Luna, listen to me carefully."

"Okay."

"You're not going into that forest."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only answer you're getting."

Luna frowned.

"This is exactly what you do every time I ask about my parents."

Evelyn looked away.

"My parents died when I was a baby, right?"

"Yes."

"In a car accident?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't you have a single photograph of them?"

Evelyn went completely still.

Luna had asked that question before.

But tonight, something about it felt different.

"I've shown you photographs."

"You showed me one photograph."

"It was damaged."

"Convenient."

"Luna."

"I'm eighteen tomorrow. I deserve to know the truth."

Evelyn's eyes softened.

"You deserve a normal life."

"I never asked for a normal life."

"Your mother did."

Luna's anger disappeared.

"What?"

Evelyn seemed to realize she'd said too much.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"You said my mother wanted me to have a normal life."

"Luna—"

"What happened to her?"

Evelyn didn't answer.

Luna stepped closer.

"What happened to my parents?"

Her aunt's jaw tightened.

"Go upstairs."

"No."

"Luna."

"No!"

Her voice echoed through the house.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Evelyn whispered something Luna had never heard her say before.

"They're coming."

Luna's stomach dropped.

"Who's coming?"

Evelyn looked toward the front door.

"I don't know how long we have."

"What are you talking about?"

Evelyn hurried to a cabinet beside the fireplace and opened it.

She pulled out a small wooden box.

Luna stared.

"What is that?"

"Something I should have given you years ago."

Evelyn opened the box.

Inside was an old photograph.

Luna took it.

Her fingers went cold.

The photograph showed a young woman holding a baby.

The woman had dark hair.

Luna stared at her face.

She knew immediately.

"That's my mother."

Evelyn nodded.

Luna looked at the baby.

"That's me."

"Yes."

"How old was I?"

"Three months."

Luna looked closer.

Something was written on the back.

She turned the photograph over.

There were only four words.

When the moon awakens.

Luna looked up.

"What does that mean?"

Evelyn's eyes filled with fear.

"Your mother left you with me because she knew they would come for you."

"Who?"

Evelyn didn't answer.

A howl sounded outside.

This one was much closer.

Luna looked toward the window.

"Who is out there?"

Evelyn grabbed her arm.

"You need to go upstairs."

"No."

"Now."

"I want answers!"

"You will get them."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

Luna laughed bitterly.

"You've been saying that my entire life."

Evelyn's grip tightened.

"Because tomorrow was always supposed to be the day."

"The day for what?"

Evelyn stared at her.

"The day you turned eighteen."

A cold feeling moved through Luna.

"What happens when I turn eighteen?"

Evelyn's lips parted.

But before she could answer, every light in the house went out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

Luna gasped.

"Evelyn?"

Her aunt didn't answer.

A low growl came from outside.

Luna's blood ran cold.

Then something slammed against the front door.

BOOM.

Luna screamed.

Evelyn grabbed her hand.

"Upstairs!"

They ran.

Another impact shook the house.

BOOM.

The windows rattled.

"What is that?" Luna cried.

"Don't look outside."

They reached the stairs.

A third impact sounded.

The front door cracked.

Evelyn pushed Luna toward the hallway.

"Go to your room."

"I'm not leaving you!"

"Go!"

"Evelyn!"

"Now!"

Luna ran.

She reached her bedroom and turned.

Her aunt stood at the bottom of the stairs.

For one brief moment, Luna saw something strange in Evelyn's eyes.

A golden glow.

Then the darkness swallowed her.

A howl filled the house.

Luna slammed her bedroom door.

Her hands shook as she locked it.

"What is happening?"

Something scratched against the outside wall.

Luna backed away.

Then she heard her aunt shout.

"RUN!"

Luna's heart stopped.

She opened the window.

The ground below wasn't too far.

She climbed onto the ledge.

Another crash came from downstairs.

Luna jumped.

She landed hard on the grass.

Pain shot through her ankle.

She nearly fell.

Then she heard another sound.

A scream from inside the house.

"Evelyn!"

Luna ran toward the back of the property.

She didn't stop.

She didn't think.

She simply ran.

Toward the forest.

Luna had no idea how long she'd been running.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Maybe twenty.

The moon followed her through the trees.

She stumbled over a root and fell.

Her palms scraped against the ground.

She pushed herself up.

"Evelyn..."

She wanted to go back.

But something told her not to.

Something deep inside her screamed that whatever had attacked their house was still searching for her.

So she ran deeper into the forest.

The strange thing was, she wasn't afraid of the darkness.

Not anymore.

She could see.

Clearly.

Far more clearly than she should have been able to.

The moonlight illuminated every branch.

Every leaf.

Every stone.

She could even see small movements in the bushes several yards away.

Luna stopped.

Her breathing slowed.

She could hear something.

Not just the wind.

Footsteps.

Behind her.

She turned.

Nothing.

Then—

A branch snapped.

Luna ran.

She didn't know where she was going.

She only knew she needed to keep moving.

The footsteps followed.

Faster.

Closer.

Luna's heart hammered.

She pushed through a cluster of trees and suddenly emerged into a clearing.

She stopped.

There were wolves everywhere.

At least ten.

Maybe more.

They stood around the clearing in complete silence.

Luna stared.

Their eyes reflected the moonlight.

Some were gray.

Some brown.

Some black.

But every one of them was watching her.

Luna slowly backed away.

A low growl came from the largest wolf.

It stepped forward.

Luna froze.

The wolf was enormous.

Its fur was almost completely black.

Its eyes were gold.

The same eyes she'd seen from her bedroom window.

The wolf stared at her.

Then it lowered its head.

Luna felt something strange in her chest.

A pulse.

Like a second heartbeat.

The crescent pendant around her wrist became hot.

She grabbed it.

"What are you?"

The wolf suddenly transformed.

Luna stumbled backward.

The creature that had stood before her was gone.

In its place stood a tall young man.

He had dark hair, sharp features, and an expression that made him look as though he was accustomed to being obeyed.

He wore a black jacket and dark trousers.

Luna stared at him.

He stared back.

Neither spoke.

Then his eyes dropped to her wrist.

The crescent mark beneath her bracelet was glowing.

His expression changed.

Shock.

Recognition.

Fear.

"No."

Luna swallowed.

"What?"

He took a step toward her.

She stepped back.

"Stay away from me."

He stopped.

"What's your name?"

"Why?"

"Your name."

"Luna."

His face went pale.

"Luna what?"

"Hale."

The man's expression became unreadable.

"Impossible."

Luna's heart raced.

"Do you know me?"

"No."

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

He looked toward the wolves.

"They've been waiting for you."

Luna stared at him.

"Who are you?"

He hesitated.

"Kael Blackwood."

The name meant nothing to her.

But the wolves reacted.

Every wolf in the clearing lowered its head.

Luna noticed.

"Why did they do that?"

Kael didn't answer.

"Who are you?" she asked again.

"I am the Alpha of this pack."

Luna stared at him.

"Alpha?"

"Yes."

"Like... leader?"

"Something like that."

Luna looked at the wolves.

Then at him.

"So they're yours?"

"They're my pack."

She shook her head.

"This is insane."

Kael's eyes remained fixed on her.

"You're not supposed to be here."

"I didn't exactly plan to come here."

"Why did you come?"

"My aunt was attacked."

Kael's expression hardened.

"By whom?"

"I don't know."

"Did you see them?"

"No."

"How many?"

"I don't know."

"Did they follow you?"

"I don't know!"

Kael stepped closer.

Luna immediately raised her hands.

"Don't."

He stopped.

For a moment, something almost human crossed his expression.

Concern.

"You're hurt."

Luna looked down.

There was blood on her palm.

She hadn't even noticed.

"It's nothing."

Kael's gaze moved to her wrist.

The mark was brighter now.

"What is that?"

"I don't know."

"Who gave you the bracelet?"

"My aunt."

"Where is she?"

"At home."

"Did she tell you anything before you left?"

Luna hesitated.

"She said they were coming."

Kael went completely still.

"Who?"

"She didn't say."

"Did she mention a name?"

"No."

Kael looked toward the forest.

His jaw tightened.

Luna noticed the change.

"What?"

"We need to leave."

"Why?"

"Because if your aunt knew they were coming, then they probably know where you are."

"Who are they?"

Kael didn't answer.

Instead, he turned toward the wolves.

"Find the border."

Several wolves immediately disappeared into the trees.

Luna stared.

"You can command them like that?"

"They're my pack."

"And you expect me to just follow you?"

"No."

"Good."

"You don't have a choice."

Luna glared.

"Excuse me?"

Kael looked at her.

"If you stay here, you will die."

Silence.

Luna swallowed.

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"What do you know?"

Kael's eyes dropped to the crescent mark again.

"Your mother."

Luna froze.

"You knew my mother?"

Kael didn't answer immediately.

"Everyone in my world knew your mother."

"My world?"

"The world your aunt kept you away from."

Luna felt dizzy.

"What was my mother?"

Kael looked at her.

"She was one of us."

Luna shook her head.

"No."

"Yes."

"My mother was human."

"She wasn't."

"My aunt told me—"

"Your aunt lied."

Luna felt anger rise.

"You don't know my aunt."

"I know exactly who she is."

"Then tell me."

Kael's expression darkened.

"Your aunt was a member of this pack."

Luna stared.

"What?"

"Before she disappeared."

"She never told me."

"She couldn't."

"Why?"

Kael looked at the sky.

"The pack believed you were dead."

Luna's mouth went dry.

"Why would they think that?"

"Because your mother told us you died."

"Why would she lie?"

"To protect you."

Luna stared at him.

From somewhere in the forest came a howl.

Kael's head snapped toward the sound.

The wolves around them became alert.

"What was that?" Luna whispered.

Kael didn't respond.

Another howl came.

This one was different.

Lower.

More threatening.

Kael's face hardened.

"Get behind me."

Luna didn't move.

"Why?"

"Because they're here."

Branches moved at the edge of the clearing.

One wolf appeared.

Then another.

Then three.

But these wolves weren't like Kael's pack.

Their eyes were red.

Luna's stomach dropped.

Kael stepped in front of her.

"Don't move."

The red-eyed wolves growled.

Luna felt the strange pulse in her chest again.

The mark on her wrist began glowing.

Kael noticed.

His eyes widened.

"Luna..."

"What?"

"Don't fight it."

"Fight what?"

"Whatever is waking up inside you."

Luna stared at him.

"I don't understand."

"You will."

One of the red-eyed wolves lunged.

Kael moved instantly.

He transformed before Luna's eyes and collided with the attacking wolf.

The clearing exploded into chaos.

Wolves rushed forward.

Growls echoed between the trees.

Luna backed away.

She wanted to run.

But something inside her refused.

The crescent mark burned.

She grabbed her wrist.

Then she heard a voice.

Not from Kael.

Not from the wolves.

From inside her mind.

Come home.

Luna's eyes widened.

"Who said that?"

Nobody answered.

The voice came again.

Come home, Luna.

The moon above her suddenly seemed brighter.

Her heartbeat accelerated.

The forest blurred.

For a moment, Luna saw something that wasn't there.

A castle.

Black stone.

Thousands of wolves standing beneath a blood-red moon.

A woman kneeling in the snow.

A baby wrapped in white cloth.

The woman looked up.

Her face was Luna's face.

Older.

Tired.

Terrified.

She whispered something.

Luna couldn't hear it.

Then the vision changed.

A man stood behind the woman.

His eyes were red.

He raised his hand.

The vision shattered.

Luna screamed.

She dropped to her knees.

The wolves stopped fighting.

Kael turned toward her.

"Luna!"

He rushed to her.

She looked up.

The world was spinning.

"Who was that woman?"

Kael's expression changed.

"What woman?"

"My mother."

He stared at her.

"What did you see?"

"A castle."

His face went pale.

"What else?"

"A man."

"What did he look like?"

"Red eyes."

Kael went silent.

Luna grabbed his sleeve.

"Tell me what is happening."

Before he could answer, a voice echoed through the trees.

"She's awake."

Every wolf froze.

Kael turned.

A man stepped out from the darkness.

He was older than Kael.

His hair was streaked with gray.

His eyes were red.

Luna immediately recognized him.

The man from her vision.

Kael moved in front of her.

"Get back."

The stranger smiled.

"After eighteen years, we finally found her."

Luna's body went cold.

Kael growled.

"You won't take her."

The man laughed.

"She doesn't belong to you."

Luna stared at him.

"Who are you?"

The stranger looked directly at her.

"You really don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

He smiled.

"The night your mother died."

Luna's heart stopped.

Kael turned toward her.

"Don't listen to him."

But the stranger continued.

"She told you nothing, didn't she?"

Luna's voice shook.

"What happened to my mother?"

The man smiled.

"Ask your Alpha."

Luna looked at Kael.

He said nothing.

Her stomach twisted.

"Kael?"

The stranger laughed.

"Yes. Ask him why his pack spent eighteen years searching for you."

Kael's eyes darkened.

"Enough."

The stranger stepped backward.

"This isn't over."

The wolves around him growled.

Then he looked at Luna one final time.

"The moon has chosen its heir."

His smile disappeared.

"And when the blood moon rises, everyone will know what you really are."

The stranger vanished into the trees.

Silence returned.

Luna stared after him.

"What did he mean?"

Kael didn't answer.

"Kael."

Still nothing.

She stepped toward him.

"You knew."

"I knew there was a possibility."

"You knew who my mother was."

"Luna—"

"You knew!"

Her voice echoed through the clearing.

Kael looked at her.

There was no anger in his expression now.

Only something that frightened her more.

Guilt.

Luna's chest tightened.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Kael looked toward the moon.

"Everything you've been told about your life is a lie."

Luna shook her head.

"No."

"Your parents didn't die in a car accident."

She stopped breathing.

"Then what happened?"

Kael looked directly into her eyes.

"Your father was the Alpha of the oldest bloodline in North America."

Luna stared.

"And your mother..."

He paused.

"...was the last Luna of the Moonborn."

Luna didn't understand.

"What does that mean?"

Kael's voice lowered.

"It means you're not simply a werewolf."

The crescent mark on Luna's wrist suddenly flashed.

A wave of power moved through the clearing.

Every wolf dropped to the ground.

Kael fell to one knee.

Luna stared at her glowing hands.

"What am I?"

Kael looked up at her.

For the first time, the ruthless Alpha looked afraid.

"You're the last Moonborn."

Luna's eyes widened.

"What is a Moonborn?"

Kael's voice was barely a whisper.

"The strongest bloodline our world has ever known."

The moon seemed to grow brighter.

Luna stared at her hands.

Somewhere deep inside her, something answered.

A growl.

Not from the forest.

From within her.

She stumbled backward.

Kael stood.

"We have to go."

"Where?"

"To Blackwood territory."

"Why?"

"Because the people hunting you won't stop."

"And what happens when we get there?"

Kael looked at her.

"They'll kneel."

Luna stared at him.

"Who?"

"My entire pack."

A distant howl echoed through the forest.

Then another.

And another.

Hundreds of voices seemed to rise beneath the moon.

Luna looked toward the darkness.

For eighteen years, she'd believed she was nobody.

An orphan.

An ordinary girl.

A girl with no family, no history, and no answers.

But tonight, the moon had awakened something inside her.

Something powerful.

Something dangerous.

And as Kael led her toward the hidden world her aunt had spent eighteen years protecting her from, Luna didn't know one thing.

The greatest secret wasn't that she was a werewolf.

It was that someone had spent eighteen years making sure she would never discover whose blood ran through her veins.

And somewhere beyond the forest, an ancient enemy was already preparing for her return.

The forest had gone silent.

Too silent.

Luna stood frozen beside Kael, staring into the darkness where the stranger had disappeared.

Her mind refused to process everything she'd heard.

Moonborn.

Ancient bloodline.

Heir.

Werewolf.

Her parents hadn't died in a car accident.

Her aunt had lied to her for eighteen years.

And apparently, an entire pack had been waiting for her return.

It was too much.

Luna shook her head.

"No."

Kael looked at her.

She took a step backward.

"No, this can't be real."

"Luna—"

"I don't want this."

Her voice cracked.

"I don't want any of this."

Kael remained silent.

She pointed toward the forest.

"That man knew my mother."

Kael nodded.

"He knew things about me that I don't even know."

Another nod.

"And you knew too."

Kael didn't deny it.

Luna laughed bitterly.

"Of course you did."

She turned away from him.

"I should never have followed you."

"You didn't have a choice."

"I always have a choice."

"Not tonight."

She spun around.

"Stop saying that!"

The wolves around them shifted uneasily.

Kael's expression remained calm, but Luna could see tension in his jaw.

"You're angry."

"Obviously."

"You have every right to be."

"Then tell me the truth."

Kael stared at her.

"What truth?"

"Everything."

He didn't answer.

"Who was my father?"

Kael's eyes darkened.

"The former Alpha of the Moonborn."

"What's his name?"

"Adrian Hale."

Luna's breath caught.

"Hale?"

"Yes."

"My father was a werewolf?"

"He was more than that."

"What does that mean?"

Kael looked around the clearing.

"This isn't the place to explain everything."

"Then where?"

"Blackwood territory."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't."

The answer surprised her.

Kael continued.

"Not yet."

Luna stared at him.

"But if you stay here, the people hunting you will find you."

"And if I go with you?"

"You'll be surrounded by people who know more about you than you do."

"That doesn't sound better."

"It isn't."

For some reason, his honesty made Luna trust him slightly more.

Not enough to feel safe.

But enough to follow.

Kael turned toward the wolves.

"Form a perimeter."

The wolves immediately spread through the trees.

Luna watched them disappear.

"Are they all werewolves?"

"Yes."

"They can just... turn into wolves?"

Kael looked at her.

"So can you."

Luna's face went blank.

"No."

"You already did."

"What?"

"Back in the clearing."

"I didn't turn into anything."

Kael stepped closer.

"When the stranger appeared, your eyes changed."

Luna's stomach dropped.

"My eyes?"

"They turned gold."

She touched her face.

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

"Then why didn't I feel anything?"

"Because you've never been taught how to control it."

Luna looked at her hands.

"I don't want to learn."

"You may not get a choice."

She glared at him.

"You really like saying that."

"It's the truth."

A wolf suddenly emerged from the trees.

It stopped in front of Kael and lowered its head.

Kael listened.

His expression changed.

"What?"

Luna watched him carefully.

"What did it say?"

Kael looked at her.

"They found your house."

Luna's blood ran cold.

"My aunt."

"We need to move."

"Is she alive?"

Kael hesitated.

"I don't know."

Luna's eyes filled with tears.

"We have to go back."

"No."

"She's my family."

"She's also the person who hid you from an entire supernatural world."

"That doesn't mean I want her dead!"

Kael stepped closer.

"Going back could get you killed."

"I don't care."

"I do."

Luna froze.

Kael seemed to realize what he'd said.

His expression hardened again.

"I mean, the pack needs you alive."

Luna looked away.

She wasn't sure why, but his words had affected her.

Not because she trusted him.

Because she was beginning to realize that despite everything he refused to tell her, he was trying to protect her.

A loud howl interrupted the silence.

Kael immediately looked toward the eastern side of the forest.

"We're leaving."

"Now?"

"Now."

He turned and began walking.

Luna followed reluctantly.

The wolves moved around them like shadows.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Then Luna noticed something.

The forest seemed different.

She could hear everything.

Leaves moving.

Branches cracking.

Small animals running beneath the bushes.

Even Kael's breathing.

She stopped.

"Wait."

Kael turned.

"What?"

"I can hear something."

He looked around.

"What?"

"I don't know."

Luna closed her eyes.

The sounds became clearer.

There.

Far away.

Someone was running.

Luna opened her eyes.

"Someone's coming."

Kael's expression changed.

"From where?"

She pointed.

"That way."

Kael looked at the trees.

A few seconds later, a wolf emerged.

It was one of his scouts.

The wolf transformed into a young man.

He was breathing heavily.

"Alpha."

Kael stepped forward.

"Report."

"The southern border has been breached."

"How many?"

"At least twenty."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"Rogues?"

"No."

The young man's eyes moved toward Luna.

"They're hunters."

Luna felt a chill.

"Who are the hunters?"

Kael didn't answer.

The scout did.

"Humans who have spent generations hunting our kind."

Luna looked at Kael.

"Why are they after me?"

The scout hesitated.

Kael answered.

"Because of what you are."

Luna shook her head.

"I still don't understand."

"You don't have to understand tonight."

"Yes, I do."

Kael looked at her.

"Your bloodline has abilities other werewolves don't possess."

"What abilities?"

"The Moonborn can communicate with wolves without shifting. They can heal faster than ordinary werewolves. They can influence the strength of an entire pack."

Luna stared.

"And?"

Kael's voice lowered.

"They can command an Alpha."

The words hung in the air.

Luna looked at him.

"You mean I could command you?"

Kael's expression became unreadable.

"In theory."

Luna almost laughed.

"You don't look like someone who likes being commanded."

"I don't."

"Then why would anyone want me alive?"

"Because whoever controls the Moonborn controls more than one pack."

Luna finally understood.

"This isn't about me."

"No."

"It's about power."

"Exactly."

She looked toward the darkness.

"So people will keep coming after me."

"Yes."

"And I can't go home."

"Not yet."

"My aunt might be dead."

Kael didn't respond.

Luna swallowed.

"What am I supposed to do?"

For the first time since they'd met, Kael's expression softened.

"Survive."

The word was simple.

But Luna felt its weight.

She had spent eighteen years believing her biggest problems were school, money, and figuring out what she wanted to do with her life.

Now she was being hunted by people who knew about a world she didn't even know existed.

She had no idea who she was.

She had no idea whom she could trust.

And she had no idea what was waiting for her beyond the forest.

Yet somehow, she kept walking.

---

They reached the edge of the forest just before dawn.

Luna expected to see a town.

Instead, she saw a massive iron gate hidden between two stone walls.

The walls stretched farther than she could see.

Beyond them stood a sprawling estate.

Dark towers rose above the trees.

Warm lights glowed from dozens of windows.

It looked less like a house and more like a fortress.

Luna stopped.

"Where are we?"

"Blackwood territory."

She stared at the enormous gates.

"People actually live here?"

"Werewolves."

"Right."

Kael walked toward the gates.

They opened before he reached them.

Luna stepped inside.

The moment she crossed the boundary, she felt it.

A strange pressure in the air.

Like something had recognized her.

Dozens of people stood along the path.

Men.

Women.

Children.

All watching her.

Nobody spoke.

Luna suddenly felt exposed.

Then someone whispered.

"She's here."

Another voice answered.

"The Moonborn."

Luna's heart began pounding.

More whispers followed.

"She's alive."

"After eighteen years..."

"Look at her eyes."

"She has the mark."

Luna looked at Kael.

"Why are they staring at me?"

"They've heard stories."

"About me?"

"About your family."

They reached the entrance of the estate.

Kael stopped.

A woman stepped forward.

She looked to be in her fifties, with silver hair pulled into a neat braid.

Her eyes immediately landed on Luna's wrist.

She gasped.

Then she dropped to one knee.

Luna stared.

"What are you doing?"

The woman lowered her head.

"Welcome home, Luna Moonborn."

One by one, everyone around them followed.

Knees hit the ground.

Heads bowed.

Luna stood completely still.

Hundreds of werewolves were kneeling before her.

She looked at Kael.

He was the only person still standing.

"Why aren't you kneeling?"

His eyes met hers.

"Because I'm your Alpha."

The woman raised her head.

"Not anymore."

Silence.

Kael's expression hardened.

The woman looked at Luna.

"The Moonborn has returned."

Luna's heart pounded.

"What does that mean?"

The woman smiled sadly.

"It means the old laws have changed."

Kael stepped forward.

"That's enough."

The woman looked at him.

"You know what the council will demand."

"I don't care."

"You should."

Luna looked between them.

"What council?"

Nobody answered.

Then a deep voice came from behind the crowd.

"Mine."

Everyone turned.

An elderly man walked slowly toward them.

He wore a long black coat and carried a silver cane.

His presence alone silenced the entire courtyard.

Kael immediately stiffened.

"Councilman."

The old man ignored him.

His eyes remained fixed on Luna.

"So."

He studied her face.

"Adrian's daughter has finally returned."

Luna swallowed.

"You knew my father?"

"I knew him well."

"What happened to him?"

The old man's expression became solemn.

"He died protecting you."

Luna felt the ground disappear beneath her.

"From who?"

The old man looked toward the horizon.

"From the same enemy that is coming for you now."

A cold breeze moved through the courtyard.

Then the old man spoke the words that changed everything.

"Your eighteenth birthday has awakened the bloodline."

Luna looked at the crescent mark on her wrist.

It was glowing again.

"And tonight," he continued, "the first phase of the Moonborn awakening will begin."

Luna's voice trembled.

"What happens during the awakening?"

Nobody answered.

Kael looked at her.

His expression told her that whatever was coming, it wasn't good.

The old man finally spoke.

"You will begin remembering."

"Remembering what?"

"Everything."

Luna's heart stopped.

"Everything about what?"

The old man's eyes darkened.

"Your mother's death."

A sharp pain suddenly struck Luna's head.

She cried out and grabbed her temples.

Images flashed through her mind.

Fire.

Snow.

A woman screaming.

A wolf running.

A baby crying.

And a voice.

A voice she recognized.

Her mother's.

Run, Luna.

She dropped to her knees.

Kael rushed toward her.

"Luna!"

Another vision hit.

A man with red eyes.

Her mother standing in front of him.

A silver blade.

Blood on the snow.

Then her mother's final words.

Never trust the Blackwood Alpha.

Luna's eyes flew open.

She stared directly at Kael.

He stopped.

"What did you see?"

Luna's breathing became unsteady.

She remembered the voice.

She remembered the warning.

Her mother's final warning.

And suddenly, she wasn't sure whether the person standing in front of her was her protector...

or the person her mother had warned her about.

Kael took one step toward her.

"Luna?"

She backed away.

"What did my mother know about you?"

Kael froze.

The courtyard became completely silent.

Luna stared into his eyes.

"Why did she tell me never to trust the Blackwood Alpha?"

For the first time, Kael had no answer.

And that frightened Luna more than anything else that had happened that night.