ood hit Aria be
, and far to
k High, where the trees whispered secrets to the wind
ing was
he air. Like static before a storm, except i
tighter around her frame and s
The hairs on her arms stood erect. Every instinct screamed at her
once been a deer. Its body was torn op
d the earth
assy, stared at Aria
kward, bile risin
. No mountain lion did thi
should call the sheriff
his feel
shattered
ng, and found nothing b
in. Pain split her chest. It was like fire running thro
ed her sides, and
s screamed. She didn't know how long she lay the
d her eyes, everyt
d carried scents-pinesap, moss
ance. She felt the moon's gaze. And she wa
s-she couldn't tell. The mind of the wolf
But Aria's human mind scre
y unfamiliar and yet exhilarating. Power coursed through her. Then she saw another, a black wolf,
hed into the forest. Aria's instincts said chase. Her human
breath ragged, her muscles aching as though she'd run a maratho
or told a different story Later that day, Hollow Creek buzzed with news of a n
a pull she couldn't name. She stood where it happened,
find you here,"
ned, st
s like storm clouds. He wore a leather jacket like
me's Luca. You shifted last night, didn't you?" Ar
u. I don't even kno
e blood moon. That hasn't happened in ge
gacy." She b
should've terrified her. And maybe it did. But more than fear, she
e with you." Luca's ey
choice. The Council
me for you
es licking the walls of a house. A woman screaming. A man's voice yelling her name. And a wolf-a white
She looked out her window. Three figures in black stood beneath the trees,
ing. Her adoptive mother, Grace, l
ecting you."
ated, then
" "Who were my
ilence f
he
ilverfang Pack. He died protecti
She sat, the words hi
Grace nodded. "But more than that
om. A dart hit Grace in the neck. Figures in black stormed in, and Aria did the only thing she could. She ran. Branche
nd pulled her behind
you faster th
hey want?"
Or kill you. Which
Because you
are about a prophecy!" He
hen it does, you'll either awaken as the High Alpha... or
ve to g
he shadows, Aria knew: noth