WHISPERS OF THE WILD HEART

darkness as the moon shone full and high. I had both feared and dreamed of this moment, the Ceremony where fortu

ething raw and primordial wolf sweat, anticipation, and something darker, deep in the ground. All faces were tu

ready to assert my rights. However, uncertainty gnawed at me now that I was here, on t

The ceremony started. I took a step forward. I could feel the electricity in

s like a storm in the clearing. His ferocious, impenetrable gaze met mine. The air betwee

enveloped us like a shroud. His fingers brushed across mine, and I could feel the heat. The

e painfully tight. My breath caught. Bewilderment, incredulity, and then the inexplicable

e had a stone face. Although he didn't yell, his rejection was audible. Stunned,

nd me, but I didn't feel the warmth I had anticipated. Rathe

ose in my head. I was unaware of the shadow that resided within me. I was stronger than I

e louder and more demanding. I felt a fire flare up inside of me as I clenched my hands; it was fueled by betrayal, pain

ed a figure in the shadows, observing from the trees, moving at the edge of the clearing. I sensed his

y, and he moved forward be

s isolated as

fened, uncert

k, I gazed at him. The ground shook beneath us

war of secrets and shadow

ground or the earth settling. It was a living thing. An furious thing. The

n the Alpha's stony eyes darted in se

to be pulling at the borders of my own strength, like a magnetic force, and I could feel the fire burning inside of me from the

was not your

he muttered voice inside of me became stronger, blending with the odd pull from the stranger's aura, and

, teeth exposed, eyes gleaming like molten gold. But

arls filling the air, the pack moved as

curled into a chil

hat you've lost." The ground near the middle of the circle burst open before anyone could respond. Twisting and writhing like

manded the shadows to retreat as he stepped forward. The darkness, however, dis

power hidden deep within that was only waiting to be rele

r grinned m

is darkness that had a hold on my spirit. But I was held in place

back off and turn away from the shadows. However, I was unable to. Promises of strength, retribution

part the fragments of the girl who had just been standing on the edge of the clearing. I wasn't damaged. I was waking up. With a nod of approval, the

e was no longer chilly. Something more sin

ly begun, but the

ungry shadow