Chapter 11: Truth in the Darkness An Jieun “Yet you’re alive, and she’s not. If you don’t want me to report this to the International Council and have your whole family and pack destroyed for meddling with the gods, you will tell me every last detail.” Alpha John Ashwood commands my father. It’s so thrilling watching them all squirm under the pressure of these more powerful Alphas. My heart is pounding from the excitement of it all. Finally, he will atone for all his crimes. “Tell them everything. You cannot hide any longer. Your kind will kill you and your bloodline for your crimes.” I calmly say to my father in Korean. The Americans look at me like a scared rabbit that needs protection, and I will keep it that way. My father glared at me. He looked like a cornered rat trying to find a way to escape. I follow his eyes over to Han Yong-rae. I wonder if I would feel differently about my father if he had ever looked at me like that. He turned his head to Alpha Ashwood and spoke, “Alp

Chapter 13: Freedom is Only a Dream Jieun As I follow James and the scary looking one, Rylie, I try to sort through all my feelings. Kwan’s emotions are mixing with mine, and it’s making everything even more confusing. I think we are both relieved to be leaving, and Father cannot do anything about it. The feeling of excitement to go to this new pack and be a Luna is all Kwan’s. It feels like a new prison, and James Ashwood is taking the place of my father as my jailer. Wolves make packs; everyone knows this. Even the word for a group of wolves, “A Wolf Pack,” is a common term. It’s so simple a pack, it’s so natural for them to group together. They are strong on their own, but a pack can be deadly. They are sociable and trust each other. A lone wolf is an insult and is considered unnatural. A pack of wolves strikes fear and adoration in the hearts of man. So many cultures have folklore around the wise strong wolf and the pack that follows. I mean look at them they are in human form

Chapter 15: Fate is CruelAn JieunWhy. It’s the only word I’m screaming in my head. Why is my kind being hunted? Why am I the unlucky one? Why? I just want to roam the forest; I don’t want any of this. I don’t want to be a Luna. I don’t want to fight witches. Why do I have to have two hearts?All I could do to stop myself from screaming was focus on my clenched fist in my lap. The harder I tightened the more my nails dug in and that little bit of pain kept me from losing it.“Grandmother, could we meet later this afternoon or evening to finish working out a plan? We haven’t slept all night and I’m not sure I can give you my best.” Alpha Gideon seemed awkward calling Ithildin grandmother. I thanked him in my head. All I wanted was to leave this room.“Yes, my dear child.” Ithildin stood up then everyone else did. “Amelie I’d like to examine the boys if you don’t mind.”“Sure grandmother.” Amelie picked up one of the babies from the floor.I was frozen. I just watched as this family fa

Chapter 17: The One I’ve Longed forAn JieunIs someone playing a gayageum? I open my eyes and look around and I’m in a dark forest, how did I get here? I feel drawn to the sound of the slow plucking of the silk strings. My feet are moving on their own to somewhere yet unknown. The forest feels vaguely familiar. As my body moves forward with the melody of the strings my mother’s Hanko comes into view. The music is coming from the inner courtyard. I enter the house, it’s strange, it’s like it was when Mother was alive.I’m quickly standing in front of the door to the inner courtyard and the music stops and a voice I’ve never heard but longed for shakes me to my core. “Jieun, come and sit with me. I’ve called for you, my daughter.”I slid the door open and there she was. I’ve had similar dreams all my life, but this feels so real. I sat at her feet as I have so many times but, her eyes were looking me up and down like she had never seen me before.“I see my daughter has grown into a gre