surrounding the Moonstone Pack's territory. Aria stood at the edge of a clearing, the moon casting a silvery

rejection, of her father's expectations, and of the mys

The world seemed so calm here, in the quiet embrace of the moonlit forest. It was as if the land itself

s Asher had spoken earlier. His rejection had stung, but it was the way he'd spoken of her po

d her that her powers were tied to the phases of the moon and that she was destined for something great

, hoping to feel that spark, that connection that would unlock her po

instinctively reaching for the dagger hidden at her waist, her heart pound

rown eyes filled with concern. "

ng from the dagger. "I know. I just... I

lways rely on. As the heir to the Moonstone Pack, he was everything she wasn't-confident, strong,

ias said, his voice gentle but firm. "Not to Fat

daughter, Elias. The Moonstone Pack's future depends on me. And yet, I can't even access my powers. How ca

er shoulder. "You're still young, Aria. You don't have to have everything figured out right n

slightly, looking up at the moon once more. "I've spent my entire life waiting for something, anything, to happe

aking again, his tone more serious. "Ma

at him, confused.

lling a memory. "Our ancestors believed that the true power of the Moonstone bloodline could onl

r head. "I'm not talking about that. I mean... I just

your power-through your emotions and your deepest desires. The moon is connected to your soul, Aria. It's not just ab

s. "You think... I just need to understand my

now that there's more to you than what you've been told. Your powers ar

t sure what to believe, but the idea that she could unlock her power through something as

his expression changing. "You should go to bed, There's a meet

ias was right-there were bigger things at stake now. As much as she hated the t

ce steady, though the storm of emot

till worried about her. "Take care of yourself, Aria. Don't let t

ed into the trees, leaving Aria al

a blanket. Her thoughts were a jumble-conflicting desires, fears, and quest

tonight. Something she

re was something greater out there, waiting to

in years, Aria felt a flicker of something inside her-an ember o

she wasn't as power

_

e dreamt of a storm, of gray eyes and lightning, of a voice calling her name