After enduring a brutal werewolf attack, photographer Ava Moreno is thrust into a world filled with shadows and yearning. As the full moon rises, Ava must confront her newfound curse, with assistance from the enigmatic hunter, Ryder Blackwood. However, as their passionate connection deepens, Ava's dual identity presents a threat to everything she cherishes. Can Ryder's love suppress the beast that resides within her, or will Ava's transformation consume them both? Although the risks are considerable, this relationship has the potential to alter their destinies completely.
Chapter 1 THE ASSIGNMENT
Ava Moreno's apartment resembled a gallery, filled with numerous framed photographs from her previous assignments. Sunlight, filtering through the tall windows, cast a gentle glow over the images-each one encapsulating a moment from her travels: bustling cities, misty mountains and crashing waves. However, for Ava, each photo served as a reminder not of the locations she had visited, but of those fleeting seconds when life and art intersected; this made her heart race, her fingers twitch on the shutter and her mind clear of everything except the scene before her.
Photography was not merely her profession; it constituted her purpose. Today, though, her heart raced with anticipation for a different reason. A message from her editor blinked on her phone screen and she eagerly read it once again. It was the assignment she had longed for: a wilderness expedition to Yellowstone National Park-a chance to capture nature in its purest, most majestic form.
She reclined in her chair, experiencing a surge of exhilaration. Yellowstone was not merely another destination on her bucket list; it was a site she had long envisioned capturing since her youth, fueled by tales of its untamed beauty, its ancient woodlands and the volcanic geysers that billowed like something out of a fairytale. For a photographer, it represented a veritable treasure trove of opportunities, where each turn presented a unique narrative awaiting expression through her lens. As she perused the particulars of the assignment, her imagination soared with images she could already envision creating: the early morning fog ascending from the thermal springs, bison foraging beneath the expansive sky and the golden hour illuminating the majestic pines and sweeping valleys. She was so engrossed in her reverie that she hardly registered the knock on her door until it resonated again, more insistently this time. "Ava! Are you home?" It was her neighbor, Mia, a fellow photographer and friend. Ava opened the door and Mia entered, her eyes glimmering as she brandished a magazine. "Guess who just got featured on page twenty?"
Ava laughed. "Let me guess, is it you?"
Mia flipped through the magazine, arriving at a glossy spread that showcased her work-a series of portraits from her most recent project-and Ava couldn't help but smile, admiring her friend's success. They were each other's biggest supporters, perpetually motivating one another to achieve new heights. "I'm heading to Yellowstone next week," Ava remarked after congratulating Mia. "I just got the assignment this morning." Mia's eyes widened with admiration. "Yellowstone! That's a dream assignment, Ava. You're going to capture some incredible shots; I know it." They engaged in conversation about the forthcoming trip for a while longer. After Mia departed, however, Ava felt even more invigorated. She proceeded to her bedroom, where she began gathering her equipment: her most dependable cameras, a tripod, lenses, extra batteries and memory cards. Each piece was checked meticulously, her fingers moving with a rhythmic familiarity-calibrating, cleaning and packing. Every item occupied its designated space and every piece was essential. Out in the wild, she couldn't afford mistakes, because this was the nature of her craft.
The remainder of the day passed in a haze (or blur), as she diligently prepared for the upcoming journey. She contacted her editor to discuss specific shots they were hoping to capture. Furthermore, she familiarized herself with the geography of Yellowstone and researched the unpredictable weather patterns she could encounter there. She even packed for a variety of scenarios, ensuring that she had the appropriate gear for both rain and shine, warmth and chill. By evening, she felt prepared; however, there was a slight restlessness within her. The anticipation had already begun to settle in, igniting a blend of nerves and exhilaration. She gazed out her window (as the city lights flickered on), feeling a surge of excitement. Yellowstone would be markedly different from any urban landscape she had ever photographed. There would be no towering buildings, no honking cars and certainly no bustling crowds. Just her, her camera and the vast wilderness stretching out as far as the eye could see.
As she reclined in bed that night, her thoughts began to drift towards the myriad possibilities. There existed (something) about the natural world that resonated with her on a primal level-something that simultaneously made her feel diminutive and yet powerful. She reflected on her family back home, who often expressed concern for her when she embarked on expeditions to remote locales for her art. However, this was her true calling, the vocation she felt destined to pursue. They didn't always comprehend her choices, but she had long since reconciled with the inherent risks and the exhilaration that accompanied them. The following morning, Ava awoke with the sun, her apartment enveloped in gentle morning light. The day of her departure had finally arrived and a sense of purpose enveloped her. While sipping her coffee, she meticulously reviewed her checklist one last time, ensuring that everything was in its proper place. Her phone buzzed once more and she cast a glance at the screen. It was a message from her editor, wishing her luck and reminding her to capture some "soul-stirring shots." Ava chuckled softly and quickly replied, vowing to return with images that would captivate audiences and inspire awe.
As the hours gradually approached her departure, Ava found herself positioned in her doorway, casting one final glance around her apartment. She offered the photos adorning her walls a last, appreciative look (silently expressing gratitude to each one for the moments that had led her to this juncture). With her bags draped over her shoulder, she shut the door behind her and ventured out. The city was bustling as always; however, Ava felt as if she were already miles away, her heart drawn toward the wilderness that awaited her. She hailed a cab and settled in, her thoughts racing with images of the landscapes she was about to experience. As the plane ascended, Ava observed the cityscape diminishing below, her anticipation intensifying with every mile. She was leaving behind the familiar (trading the concrete jungle for one brimming with genuine wildness). Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to envision what it would be like to stand beneath those towering trees, to feel the earth beneath her feet and to uncover the secrets of a world untouched by human hands.
When she finally opened her eyes, a surge of gratitude washed over her. Here she was-(on the cusp of something extraordinary). She felt ready to immerse herself completely in the wilderness; to let her art and the natural world collide in ways she could scarcely comprehend. Little did she know, this journey would prove to be far more than just another assignment. Yellowstone was poised to alter the trajectory of her life in ways she couldn't yet fathom, thrusting her onto a path filled with mystery, danger and transformation. However, for the moment, she remained simply Ava Moreno-a photographer pursuing her dreams, oblivious to the shadows (that lingered) in the wild, waiting to claim her as their own.
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