chill down her spine. Whatever was coming for her was not friendly. In front of her stood a

ve," he said u

step back. "Wai

ad, he grabbed her wrist and

me," he

But with the sound of branches snapping be

shadow seemed to shift. Melissa's breath came quickly as she stru

he asked again,

ck at her. "You don't

unded familiar, like an old song she ha

know," sh

enly, he stopped and pu

ped into him. "Wha

his grip on her

ootsteps. Very close. A low, growli

n cold. Something

nother. Melissa's fingers dug into the bark of the tr

ge, wild,

kly as fear took over. The man bes

f fur and teeth. The man moved quickly-faster than anyone should be able to. He grab

d. She heard bones cracking and saw his skin stretching. In seconds, he wa

e golden wolf fought fiercely, dodging teeth and

narl broke her out of her daze. One of the wolves had bro

late. The wolf leaped at her. Melissa screamed-an

a tree with a sickening thud. Melissa stared

r wolves hesitated, sniffing the air. Then, without warnin

olden wolf shifted back into his human form. He rushed toward he

e breathed.

eld up her hands. They were shaking. The energy sh

de her. "You don't

owed hard. "R

ent. Then he said softly, "Yo

name. Her name? No. It

unning. She faced the man. "Tell me the truth,"

name is Kael," he said. "I was your

"In the war?" she asked

ur leader," he said. "Th

er head. "No. T

ed closer.

fists. "I don't remem

ftened. "But y

ght? What if she had been someone else?

something small and round. Another dream s

Kael said. "It wil

took it. More memories. More a

him. Her heart raced as sleep pulled her under.

. Not as Melissa. But as Eris. A crown rested

ught in her throat. This wasn't just a memory. This

y before her. Would l stay as Melissa Moore

r hand. The memories of her past life as Eris flooded her mind. S

sweat. The room was dark, but the dream still felt real. She wiped

ll there. What was that? The dream was alrea

t too hot. The air in the room felt heavy

deep breath

just

ake a decision. The forest was still out there, and danger was lurking. But s

ed her. He had called her Eris, and that name resonate

the dream stone still buzzing in her veins. It w

hat power? Could sh

. She had to confront her past a

ark, but she felt a spark of courage igniting within her. She

ut herself. Would she be Melissa Moore, the girl who had been lo

e was her