THE AWAKENING

The forest went silent.

Not quiet.

Silent.

No birds.

No insects.

No wind moving through the branches.

Nothing.

Luna stood beneath the strange silver beam of moonlight, unable to understand what was happening to her.

Her entire body felt weightless.

Her feet were still touching the ground, but somehow she felt as though she were standing somewhere far away.

Somewhere beyond the forest.

Beyond the world she knew.

She looked at her hands.

They were trembling.

Silver light moved beneath her skin like tiny rivers.

"Kael?"

Her voice sounded different.

Not louder.

But deeper.

Almost as if another voice had spoken with hers.

Kael slowly pushed himself off the ground.

He stared at her.

"Luna."

She looked at him.

His eyes were wide.

"What?"

"Don't move."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know what you're becoming."

Fear entered his voice.

That frightened her more than anything.

Kael was never afraid.

At least, he never showed it.

But now he looked terrified.

Luna lowered her hand.

The silver light around her flickered.

The stranger stepped backward.

"You shouldn't be awake."

Luna looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because the time isn't right."

"What time?"

He shook his head.

"You were supposed to awaken at the next full moon."

Luna glanced at the sky.

"But the moon isn't full."

"I know."

"Then why did this happen?"

The stranger's expression hardened.

"Someone woke you."

Kael stepped forward.

"Who?"

The stranger looked at him.

"You still haven't figured it out?"

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"Tell me."

The stranger smiled.

"Ask the girl."

Luna frowned.

"What does that mean?"

The stranger pointed toward her.

"She knows."

"I don't."

"Not consciously."

Kael moved between them.

"Enough."

The stranger's eyes flashed red.

"You're protecting her from the truth just like you did eighteen years ago."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"Leave."

"You can't order me around anymore."

"I'm still the Alpha."

"Not for long."

A low growl came from the forest.

Then another.

Kael looked around.

Dozens of wolves emerged from the trees.

But they weren't attacking.

They were watching Luna.

Every one of them lowered its head.

Luna looked around in confusion.

"Why are they doing that?"

Kael answered quietly.

"They recognize you."

"Why?"

"Because of what you are."

Luna shook her head.

"I don't want this."

The stranger laughed softly.

"You don't get to choose."

Luna's eyes flashed silver.

The stranger stopped laughing.

"You know," he whispered.

"Know what?"

"That voice."

Luna's heart raced.

"What voice?"

"The one inside your head."

She froze.

"You can hear it too?"

"No."

He smiled.

"But I know it exists."

"What is it?"

"The first wolf."

Luna stared at him.

"What?"

"The first wolf."

He looked toward the sky.

"Before there were packs, before there were Alphas, before there were Moonborn, there was one."

Luna listened.

"The first wolf."

"What happened to it?"

"It disappeared."

"Where?"

The stranger looked at the ground.

"Beneath the Lunar Gate."

A chill ran through Luna.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"Everything."

Kael suddenly stepped forward.

"Enough."

The stranger looked at him.

"You should be more worried about what she's going to remember."

"What?"

The stranger smiled.

"Her memories aren't gone."

Luna frowned.

"What memories?"

"The ones your mother took from you."

Kael's expression changed.

Luna turned toward him.

"What is he talking about?"

Kael said nothing.

"Kael."

He looked away.

Luna's anger rose.

"You know."

"Luna—"

"You know!"

Her voice echoed through the forest.

The trees shook.

Every wolf lifted its head.

Kael looked at her.

"You aren't ready."

Luna laughed bitterly.

"Of course."

She stepped toward him.

"That's all anyone ever says."

"You don't understand."

"Then make me understand!"

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because your mother removed them."

Luna froze.

"My memories?"

Kael nodded.

"She used Moonborn magic."

"Why?"

"To protect you."

"From what?"

"The truth."

Luna stared at him.

The stranger smiled.

"Ask him about your father."

Kael's face became cold.

"Don't."

The stranger disappeared.

Luna turned.

He was gone.

"Where did he go?"

Kael looked into the forest.

"He's escaped."

"No."

Luna closed her eyes.

She could still feel him.

"He's not gone."

Kael looked at her.

"Where?"

Luna pointed.

"North."

Kael immediately looked at the wolves.

"Follow him."

Several wolves ran into the forest.

Luna opened her eyes.

"He's scared."

Kael looked at her.

"Who?"

"The stranger."

"Why?"

"Because of me."

Kael didn't answer.

Luna looked at her hands again.

The silver light had disappeared.

"Kael."

"What?"

"What happens now?"

He took a breath.

"We go home."

"Then what?"

"We prepare."

"For the test?"

"For the war."

Luna stared at him.

"War?"

Kael nodded.

"That wasn't an attack."

"What was it?"

"A warning."

---

The journey back to the mansion was silent.

The wolves moved around them.

Luna walked beside Kael.

Neither spoke.

Eventually, she broke the silence.

"How many people know about the Lunar Gate?"

"Not many."

"How many?"

"Enough."

"That's not an answer."

"I know."

She sighed.

"You're impossible."

"I've heard that too."

Luna glanced at him.

"Are you afraid of me?"

Kael stopped.

"No."

"You looked afraid."

"I was."

"Of me?"

"Of what might happen to you."

Luna studied him.

"What if I become dangerous?"

"Then I'll stop you."

"Even if it kills me?"

Kael's eyes hardened.

"We're not talking about that."

"But you said—"

"I won't let it happen."

Luna looked away.

"How can you promise that?"

"Because I've made promises before."

She knew what he meant.

Her mother.

Luna walked quietly beside him.

After a few minutes, she asked:

"Did my mother ever tell you why she chose my name?"

Kael looked at her.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"She said the moon was the only thing that watched over you when she couldn't."

Luna swallowed.

"That's sad."

"She wasn't sad when she said it."

"What was she?"

"Hopeful."

Luna smiled faintly.

"She really believed I'd survive."

"She knew you would."

"How?"

Kael looked at her.

"Because she believed in you."

Luna lowered her gaze.

For the first time since discovering the truth, she didn't feel completely alone.

---

When they returned to the mansion, the council was waiting.

The moment Luna entered the hall, everyone turned.

The eldest council member stood.

"You awakened."

Luna nodded.

"Apparently."

The woman beside him looked nervous.

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Did the Shadowborn attack?"

"Yes."

"Which one?"

Luna hesitated.

"The red-eyed one."

The council members exchanged frightened looks.

Kael noticed.

"You know him."

The old man shook his head.

"Not personally."

"Then why are you afraid?"

No one answered.

Luna stepped forward.

"I asked you a question."

The old man looked at her.

"His name is Darius."

The name made Luna's wrist burn.

She grabbed it.

Kael noticed.

"Darius."

The old man nodded.

"He was once a guardian."

"Guardian of the Lunar Gate."

"Yes."

"What happened to him?"

"He betrayed the order."

"Why?"

"Power."

Luna frowned.

"What kind of power?"

"The kind your blood carries."

Luna looked at Kael.

"What does he want from me?"

The old man answered.

"Your blood."

"Why?"

"To open the gate."

Luna felt cold.

"But I don't want to open it."

"That may not matter."

"Why?"

"Because the gate may open whether you want it to or not."

Luna stared.

"Then how do I stop it?"

The old man looked at Kael.

"She must be trained."

Kael nodded.

"She will be."

"By whom?"

"Me."

The council members objected immediately.

"No."

Kael's eyes flashed.

"Why?"

"Because you're too emotionally involved."

Luna frowned.

"Emotionally involved?"

The room went silent.

Kael looked at the council.

"Choose your next words carefully."

The old man sighed.

"You have protected this girl for eighteen years."

"Yes."

"You cannot train her objectively."

"I can."

"You care about her."

Kael's expression hardened.

"That doesn't make me weak."

"It makes you vulnerable."

Luna watched him.

She didn't know what to say.

The old man continued.

"She needs someone who won't hesitate to stop her."

Kael stepped forward.

"I won't hesitate."

"Will you kill her?"

Silence.

Luna looked at Kael.

He didn't answer.

The question seemed to hurt him.

Finally, he said:

"If I must."

Luna's heart sank.

The council nodded.

"Then you may train her."

Kael turned toward Luna.

"Come."

She followed.

---

The training room was underground.

Luna hadn't known the mansion had another level.

The walls were made of stone.

Ancient symbols covered them.

"What is this place?"

"Where the Blackwood Alphas have trained for centuries."

Luna touched one of the symbols.

The moment her fingers made contact, she saw another vision.

A wolf.

Huge.

Silver fur.

Standing beneath a red moon.

Luna pulled her hand away.

"What was that?"

Kael stared at the wall.

"What did you see?"

"A wolf."

"What kind?"

"I don't know."

"Describe it."

"Silver fur. Golden eyes."

Kael's face changed.

"You saw the First Wolf."

Luna's stomach tightened.

"What does it want?"

"I don't know."

"But you know what it is."

"Yes."

"Then tell me."

Kael sighed.

"The First Wolf is the source of the Moonborn bloodline."

"How?"

"According to legend, the first Moonborn was chosen by the First Wolf."

"And my family?"

"Descendants."

Luna looked at the symbols.

"So I'm connected to it."

"Yes."

"Can I communicate with it?"

"Maybe."

"How?"

Kael pointed toward the center of the room.

"Sit."

Luna sat.

"Close your eyes."

She did.

"Clear your mind."

"That's difficult."

"Try."

She took a breath.

Slowly, the room disappeared.

She heard a heartbeat.

Not hers.

Not Kael's.

Something enormous.

Ancient.

She followed the sound.

A forest appeared.

But this forest was different.

The trees were silver.

The sky was black.

A massive wolf stood beneath the moon.

Luna stared.

"Are you the First Wolf?"

The wolf looked at her.

It didn't speak.

But she understood.

*You are late.*

Luna frowned.

"Late for what?"

*The door.*

"What door?"

The wolf turned.

Behind it stood an enormous stone gate.

Luna's heart raced.

"The Lunar Gate."

The wolf nodded.

"Why is it calling me?"

*Because your blood remembers.*

"Remembers what?"

The wolf looked at her.

*Everything.*

The vision shattered.

Luna opened her eyes.

She was back in the training room.

Kael was kneeling beside her.

"Luna!"

She breathed heavily.

"What happened?"

"You stopped breathing."

"For how long?"

"Almost a minute."

Luna looked at him.

"I saw the First Wolf."

Kael went still.

"What did it say?"

"It said I was late."

Kael's expression changed.

"Late for what?"

"The door."

His face went pale.

"What else?"

"It said my blood remembers everything."

Kael stood.

"We're done."

"What?"

"Training is over."

"Why?"

"Because I need to find out what that means."

Luna stood.

"You said you were going to train me."

"I am."

"Then don't stop."

Kael stared at her.

"Luna, the First Wolf doesn't speak to ordinary Moonborn."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you're not ordinary."

She looked at her wrist.

"Then what am I?"

Kael didn't answer.

---

That night, Luna returned to her room.

She sat beside the window.

She couldn't stop thinking about the vision.

The First Wolf.

The gate.

Her mother's secrets.

Kael's guilt.

Everything seemed connected.

She opened the pendant again.

A tiny compartment appeared on the back.

Luna frowned.

She pressed it.

The pendant opened.

Inside was a small piece of paper.

Her hands shook as she unfolded it.

Only one sentence was written.

**When the moon calls your name, find the boy who bears the scar.**

Luna stared.

"What boy?"

A knock sounded.

She quickly hid the paper.

"Come in."

Elena entered.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

Elena looked at her.

"You're lying."

Luna smiled.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

Elena sat beside her.

"What happened?"

Luna hesitated.

Then she showed her the note.

Elena read it.

Her expression changed.

"Where did you get this?"

"Inside my mother's pendant."

Elena looked at Luna.

"Do you know what it means?"

"No."

Elena swallowed.

"I think I do."

Luna leaned closer.

"Tell me."

Elena whispered:

"The boy with the scar."

"Who?"

"There's only one person I know who fits that description."

Luna's heart began racing.

"Who?"

Elena looked toward the door.

"Kael."

Luna froze.

"What?"

"He has a scar."

"Where?"

"Across his chest."

Luna stared at the note.

"Why would my mother write that?"

"I don't know."

Before they could continue, a howl echoed outside.

Luna stood.

She felt the same pull again.

The moon.

Calling.

She looked toward the window.

And this time, she heard words.

Not from the First Wolf.

Not from Darius.

From somewhere else.

A voice she had never heard before.

**Find the scar.**

Luna looked at Elena.

"We need to talk to Kael."

Elena nodded.

But before they could leave, every light in the mansion went out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

Then the front doors slammed open downstairs.

A scream echoed through the mansion.

Kael's voice followed.

"EVERYONE STAY INSIDE!"

Luna's heart pounded.

Then came another voice.

Calm.

Familiar.

Darius.

"You should have listened to me, Alpha."

Luna stepped toward the door.

Elena grabbed her hand.

"No."

Luna looked at her.

"I need to know what he wants."

Another crash shook the mansion.

Then Darius spoke again.

"Bring me the Moonborn."

Luna's mark began glowing.

She knew he meant her.

And this time, she wasn't afraid.

She was angry.

She opened the door.

Elena stared.

"Luna, what are you doing?"

Luna stepped into the dark hallway.

"I'm ending this."

At the bottom of the stairs, two red eyes appeared.

Darius smiled.

"Finally."

Luna walked toward him.

"Tell me the truth."

Darius tilted his head.

"Which truth?"

"About my parents."

His smile disappeared.

"You really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Then come with me."

Kael appeared behind him.

"No."

Darius laughed.

"You can't protect her forever."

Kael's eyes turned gold.

"Watch me."

Luna looked between them.

Then the mansion shook.

A crack appeared across the floor.

Ancient silver light rose from beneath the stone.

Everyone froze.

Darius stared at it.

"No..."

Kael looked down.

Luna's wrist burned.

The crack widened.

A symbol appeared beneath her feet.

The same symbol she had seen beside the First Wolf.

Kael's face went pale.

"The gate."

Luna stared at the glowing symbol.

"What?"

Kael looked at her.

"It's beginning."

The entire mansion shook again.

And somewhere beneath the earth, something enormous opened its eyes.