Luna Reborn

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who traveled. I was stopped by one guard. He inquired about my origins. I gestured behind me. "Why am I here?" he asked. I raised my hands to indicate that I was unarmed. I then uttered a single syllable. Challenge. His eyes widened. He took a step back. Then he let the gate open. I entered the pack after passing through the barrier. My heart pounded rapidly. My feet continued to move. A few wolves gave me a look. A few turned away. I was unknown to them. However, the wind did. Around me, it danced. My cloak was pulled. In my ear, it whispered. You've changed. And that was accurate. There was just one reason I had returned. The truth. And perhaps more. However, I wasn't yet prepared to consider it. I went to the square on foot. The pack assembled there. That was the Alpha's position. He would be in that location. I caught a glimpse of him. Asher. In the center, he stood tall. He had a straight back. His hair had darkened. His eyes were weary. He still had a strong face. He remained my partner. Not my heart, though. No more. I paused and gave him a glance. He pivoted. We looked at each other. He gave one blink. But then again. His expression remained unchanged. But something caught my attention behind his eyes. A query. He remained silent. I took a step forward. The audience pivoted. The voices ceased. I held up my hand. I gestured

d cried out. And I heard a wolf cry in the distance. Fear wasn't the reason. It was a warning. And my name was being called. The cry of the wolf reverberated. It originated in the hills. Not your typical wail. Not a cry for assistance. A caution. I hadn't heard the sound in years. Kaya tightened her grip on my hand. Now her fingertips felt cold. I examined her face. She appeared frightened. She never showed signs of fear. There was more wind. Now stronger. It tugged at our garments. Once more, the trees bowed. The sky grew dimmer. That cry seemed familiar to me. The night the goddess discovered me, I had heard it. She gave me fresh life that night. It was the ancient forest's call. An invitation to return. However, go back to what? I had no idea. Not quite yet. Kaya drew me away. We dashed into the deeper forest. The wind came after us. All around us, leaves were flying. Behind us, branches snapped. We continued. The trees parted. A circle of stone was formed by the ground dropping down. I had previously encountered the goddess here. It didn't feel the same, though. There were cracks in the stones. The air was heavy. The ground gave off a gentle glow. Kaya was the first to halt. She gestured toward the middle. Something was on the ground. Something that isn't moving. I moved in closer. Thorne was the one. He had his eyes closed. He

the moon. It's half full. Three nights remained before the next full moon. I had intended to reveal the truth to the pack at that point. Now, though, I wasn't sure if I would survive. Not without the bond. Not without the forest. Not without the present I received from Elira. I walked farther into the forest after turning. After me, Kaya called. I remained silent. I needed to locate her. Elira. She changed, and I had to know why. What she gave me, I had to beg for. And what she retracted. I had trembling hands. Not out of fear. from another source. I had a warm ring in my pock