Tangled In Moonlight: Unshifted Novels & Stories

“With lines drawn openly.” Lily hesitated—just a fraction. “Alex,” she said softly, “when this breaks… you won’t like what comes out.” “I don’t need to like it,” he replied. “I need to face it.” She swallowed. “I’m not choosing sides,” Lily said. Alex’s voice softened. “You already have,” he said. __________ The City — Before the Shift That night, the city carried on unaware. Restaurants filled. Deals closed. Screens glowed. But beneath it—

my feet and wipe my tears. "I'll find my answers. Don't come looking for me," I say angrily. I run to my room and grab my backpack. I stuff some clothes inside with my dagger and put on my black cloak. It's dark already, no one would find me. I grab my lock necklace and walk out of my room. A heated argument is coming from my parent'sI walk to the front door and take one last look at the house. "Goodbye," I whisper, taking the key from the bull's horn hung on the wall. My mother has no idea I knew she hid it there. I unlock the door and walk out of the house. I inhale the cool night breeze and put on the hood of my cloak. Our house is at the far end of the village, near the woods. I hear lo

I ran a hand through my dark hair, trying to push back all the racing thoughts. “You don’t know me, Artemis.” I let out a big breath and sat down in the closest chair, resting my hands on my knees, and looking down. “I want to know everything about you, stop pushing me away.” When I finally looked up, I couldn't understand Artemis's expression. But her eyes looked soft and vulnerable, which made my heart hurt. She seated herself before me, clasping her hands firmly in her lap. With a sorrowful expression, I tightened my fists and turned my gaze. My voice trembled as I spoke, “I’ll hurt you, Artemis. I’m broken."

"Our pack deserves justice, and I won't wait any longer.” He shook his head, “Blue unless you can find a way to control your anger and pain, you will not stand a chance against the Redmoon pack.” My fists clenched at my sides, the frustration bubbling within me. “I am strong enough,” I said through gritted teeth. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know your heart is in the right place, but you have not yet shifted. If you are going to take them down, you need your full power.”

I ask him, “What’s going on? Why are they chained?” “Today was supposed to be the day of the Full Moon Hunt, was it not?” His question makes me shiver. “Yes. And?” His smile widens. “And it’s just begun, Alpha Alec.” He then turns to his own Beta and says, “Release them!” The Omegas are sent running, bound to the woods. The silver will prevent them from shifting, but that doesn’t mean they can’t run. I realize what’s happening here. We’ll be the predators, and they’ll be the prey. Alpha Fredrick nods at me before saying, “It’ll be a hunt nobody will ever forget.”

I sucked in a sharp breath and hissed, because it hurt—hurt like a rule being enforced. Dax noticed. His eyes flashed. “She’s binding us tighter,” he muttered. Mara’s gaze flicked to the tether and she looked pleased. “It’s stabilizing,” she said. “Good. A protector anchored, a mate infected. All the doors I need.” “Door to what?” I demanded. Mara’s voice lowered, reverent in a way that made my skin crawl. “To the first Moon Cage.” The seam in the wall widened again, and cold air rushed in—sharp and clean, like outdoor night.

The Moon Festival had begun. Sandra stood with her parents at the edge of the torch-lit gathering field, wrapped in a soft woolen shawl. A warm breeze rustled the trees, and the smell of damp earth mingled with the spicy tang of burning herbs drifting from the ceremonial braziers. All around her, shifters arrived in groups—some in tightly-knit family clusters, others in laughing bands of young wolves, eager for the thrill of the night. Their eyes gleamed in the fading light, many already dressed in lightweight clothes they would soon discard before shifting.

Kane ruffled Jim’s hair approvingly, while Luke fussed over Fiona like she was made of glass, murmuring for her to rest. I stood there, invisible. They were the perfect family—warm, whole, united. And I? I was the spare part, the forgotten shadow. Not a single glance. Not a word. So I left. I walked toward Moon Lake, the place I’d begged them to take me for years. "Next summer," they’d always said, "when things are less busy." Lies. Empty promises. Now, I’d go alone. But my body betrayed me. Halfway there, my wolf gave out—her strength spent, her spirit broken. My legs buckled, and the world was spinning.