gh the trees, brushing against my skin like a ghostly touch. I had always loved the peacefulness of the woods. It muted the noise

ht felt d

ed it under my skin, an unshakeable feeling of being watched-no, not jus

as weren't allowed this close to the old moon temple, not during the crescent cycle when the El

somewhere within me but something else stirred. A memory? A connecti

les, I saw them-seven hooded figures standing around the altar stone marked with lunar symb

ild thorns. My heart raced. The Elders rarely gathered outsi

ought," one Elder said, his voice strai

od

ers of the Blood Moon prophecy before, always voiced in hushed tones an

woman, said. "The signs are aligning. H

murmured, almost pityingly. "Poor child. It

me. I felt it in my bones, in the way my mark burned bene

ny forces would take advantage of her. Alpha Draven alread

"He knows what's at stake. He mad

ind

chosen me as if I were a pawn in a game I didn't

. The Blood Moon will awaken her power. We mus

n't?" someone

nce filled t

finally said, serious and r

wig snapping underfo

ou hea

ching for me as I bolted away from the altar. My lu

alking abou

des

w

den had know

t a tree, gasping for air. My fingers clutched the fabric of my tunic,

mething much big

rop

po

hadn't

? I didn't know wh

mega. The Elders viewed me as a ves

hat he saw when

flickered-a wild, impossible hope that maybe,

as meant

ain, feeling its fain

Blood Mo

o discover wh