Marked by the Moon's Curse

d like it had s

and fallen pine needles. She didn't need a lantern. The moon, swollen and red as blood, lit h

she visited every night when the village lights were too far to see and the sil

d in the distance,

stif

wasn'

the elders first called her cursed and left her to die outside the village borders. T

atchel slung over her shoulde

tonight. That happened sometimes, especially near the full moon. She didn't know why

y in the hollow b

eath him, and his shirt had been ripped open across the chest. Claw mar

opped to

ood. His lips were parted slightly, teeth clenched i

er hand on h

linc

to hurt you,"

gray like winter fog,

g out,"she said

the herb pouch inside her satchel and began mixing a paste o

the paste along his wound. "They don't make men this siz

thing wa

ked in

ither. Just watched her. Even when she took off

"They don't like strangers in this forest. They do

gged at the cor

a lot,"

startled. "

sat back on her heel

d to s

p your wou

burned

ng flickered

ce here, in this cold ni

r blood recognized him. Like her skin wanted to

ur name?"

t answer

uietly:

st

more than curses in this part of

a Rh

the Dawn

ied in childbirth. The one who refused to take a second mate. The one who va

w he w

g at he

you are, s

wincing. "

hesi

"Sel

ze sha

rn under the Crimson Moon. The one they said would curse any wolf

find o

ived th