start, the soft rustle of leaves and the distant call of nocturnal creatures pulling her from sleep. Her body ached in places she did

tensity. He had not slept; that much she could tell. His presence was both comforting

ing at her, his voice low, gravelly.

er voice trembled slightly, betraying both fear and excitement. She still did not fully understand why her heart

er. "You need protection, and you need to understand what is happening to

ding her thoughts. "Protection? Bu

tive, Elara. Tonight proved that

oon... you said it awakened somet

k. You are stronger than you know. You are older than time remembers. And

ses-the way the forest's sounds were sharper, the scents more vivid, the shadows almost... alive. She wanted t

feet and the occasional distant howl of wolves. Aeron was a shadow beside her, moving with grace

e trees, were others-wolves, both human and fully transformed, their eyes glinting with curiosity and ca

ur allies... though not all of them will trust you immediately

yet their eyes betrayed the wildness within. She felt a strange resonance with them, a pull she did not understa

stepped forward, moving among his pack with a confidence t

is human," Aeron said simply, though there was a weight behind the w

weight of his words. Elara felt their scrutiny, their curiosity, their

The pack will help, but only if you allow it. Tonight

the forest, about the Blood Moon, about Aeron's unwavering gaze, made her hesitate.

d snapped toward the sound, ears twitching, muscles tensing. F

warning. "Tonight was only the beginning. There a

hiver of fear.

not stop until they have what belongs to them. And you... yo

echoing the weight of his words. Something deep within her stirred, ancie

ad known, the human life she had lived, was gone. And standing beside her, guiding her t

e said softly. "You'll need strength for what's coming. Tomorrow,

y, she felt a strange calm settle over her. With Aeron by her side, she knew she could face whatever

forest in its haunting glow. And somewhere deep in the wilderness, something ancient stirred, sensing the

es, cautious but alert, while others came forward, sniffing and observing Elara with a mix of curiosity and

touch was grounding, steadying. "They can sense what you are, even if you cannot. And they

e heat in her veins, the way the shadows seemed to respond to her presence-it was no longer sub

of a kind. Reborn once every thousand years. Your blood c

nt... Wolf? But... I'm hum

ssence. Your soul remembers what your body cannot. That is why the Blood Moon calle

rhythm with her heartbeat. Shadows flickered and stretched as if aware of her thoughts. Some

rol it?" she asked

et. That will take time, training, and understanding. You cannot hide it,

o doubt in his voice, no hesitation. Despite the fear, she

g wolf stepped forward, sleek and silver, its eyes bright with intellig

d the basics of your power. But listen carefully... the wolf world has rules, and the

gile, human. Now, she was standing at the crossroads of two worlds, destined for

calm but firm. "It awakens desire, fear, ambition... and it attracts attention. There are thos

her shoulder. "Trust me first

know if she fully trusted him, not yet, but something about his prese

pool of water reflected the eerie light. "Look," he instructed. "The first lesson is awareness. Your sense

her veins. Shadows shifted, the wind whispered, and for the first time, she sensed the hidden life of th

connect with it, understand it. This is the first step toward controlling wh

ecame acute, and the faintest scents-the flowers, the earth, the distant stream

t train, learn, and prepare. The Blood Moon does not rise often, and ea

h tightened. "

o fear it, by wolves who envy it, and by forces that do not care about the world or its

ge comfort in knowing she would not face it alone. Aeron Blackclaw, fierce and wi

alert. Kaelen and the other wolves tensed as well. Shadows shifted, and in the corner o

ahead is treacherous. You will awaken fully, and the world will n

ed hard. "I..

ng. And you will learn not only your strength but the burden that comes with it.

, and something deeper coursed through her. She had been ordinary once. But that was over. She

owing above. In the quiet tension of the night, two destinies had begun to intertwine, and the

p within the forest, hidden eyes watched, sensing the awakening of the Anci

e, the journey ha