Charcoal Moon Novels & Stories

I crease my brows at her, "tonight, what's happening tonight?" She archs her brow, "it's the full moon, mated females go into heat and our mates take care of us, as only they can. Well we're here, I'll see you later Charlie, have a good session." I smile and walk into the coffee shop where I'm to meet Cynthia, I walk in and she's at the counter getting 2 cups to go and some pastries. I walk up and greet her and the lady behind the counter, "morning, how's everyone."

Carlson's POV I first met Charlotte in the music classroom at Silvermoon Academy. She was sitting at a black grand piano by herself. Her fingertips glided softly over the keys, and the melody she played felt filled with an otherworldly loneliness. Moonlight streamed through the windows and fell across her shoulders. Her profile looked delicate and distant. I stood outside, afraid to step in too suddenly. People said that Charlotte loved Layson to the point of madness. They claimed she was obsessive, wilful, and vicious just to have him. They said she schemed to become the Luna Queen of the Black Forest, going so far as to collude with witches.

After a long day of classes, the sunshine was a welcome change from the stuffy studios. Charlotte looked particularly stunning today. Her wavy red hair caught the light in a way that made it seem almost alive. She'd gone all out with her makeup, complete with sparkling rhinestones adorning her eyelashes. The effect was vibrant and eye-catching—exactly what she'd intended for the Full Moon Eve celebration. "Tomorrow's a weekend too," Charlotte announced, practically bouncing with excitement. "This Full Moon Eve we're drinking moonlight wine till we drop!" I shook my head, amused by her enthusiasm but not sharing it. "No thanks, I'm focusing on healthy living."

He had been tracking my scent trail for blocks. “What are you doing blocking a Dominion path, Blackwell?” I demanded, drawing my shoulders back as my claws partially extended. “I’m tracking you, Chika,” Ronan murmured, dropping the glowing ember into a shell casing on the floor. His voice carried an uncharacteristic, desperate vibration that grated against my instincts. “The Blood Moon cycle marks your birth date next week. What kind of tactical steel or illegal firearm do you want? Name the supplier and I will seize it for you.”

As the golden hue gets thicker between us, I notice that my connection with New Moon slowly disappears into the ether as if it never existed. Scarlett and I tilt our heads toward the full moon letting out a soulful howl to mourn the loss and celebrate the successful shifts that happened tonight. Charity, my Gamma, and Theo, my Beta, join in my celebrations before running off into the woods, ignorant of the New Moon members watching them, their eyes slowly returning to the normal shades.

Not like a storm. Not like clouds. But like smoke… burning red. Kellan burst through the door, breathless. “It’s happening,” he said. “What is?” Ember asked. “The Blood Moon.” Ember blinked. “That’s impossible. It isn’t due for another four months.” “I know,” Kellan said. “But it’s here.” They rushed outside. And there it was … a blood-colored moon rising before evening had even begun. Too large, too bright, casting an eerie crimson glow across the pack grounds.

Three weeks ago. The night of the blood moon. I ran alone through the high passes, heavy with young—nine moons along, the pup quickening with every step. The trail gave way. I tumbled, striking stone and ice, wedged in a crevice where the cold would finish what gravity began. I sent my call through the spirit-web to the healers. Needed the Alpha's permission to cut the pup from my dying flesh. Ninety-nine summons. Silence. The hundredth time, the bond stirred.

The men nodded and got to work while the others shifted into wolves and darted back into the woods to find their comrades who had been wounded by the beast. Moon's call approached his cottage which was close to a hill at the other side of a narrow stream flowing down into the river at one part of the forest. He walked across the board bridge he had made over the stream to get to his own side. Although he would have easily sprinted through the stream if he was in his wolf form but he didn't really fancy getting wet when he was in his human form.

My name is Elora and I reside at the Blue Mountain Packhouse. I have a slim figure, long curly blonde hair which I usually wear up in a bun so it is out of my face. My eyes are a deep blue which I love. I am not a normal girl though. You see I am a shewolf, my rank at the packhouse is an omega. I don’t know my parents because they passed away when I was just a tiny baby, so I don’t have any memories of them. The only thing I have is a necklace locket from my mother. I have never taken it off because it makes me feel close to her spirit.

Inside was a collection of charcoal sticks, worn down to stubs, and several sheets of rough parchment. He crouched by the fire without a word, spread one sheet out across the dirt, and began to draw. Aria knelt slowly, watching the swift, sure movements of his hands. Charcoal whispered over parchment, leaving bold, curved strokes that became shapes faster than she could name them. A moon… no, a bleeding moon, hung over a clearing that looked too much like their camp. Figures formed in the shadows beneath it. Wolves. Men. Fire curling high into the sky.