In the isolated village of Ravenspire, the Blood Moon looms, signaling the return of a terrifying curse. Elise Thorn, a fiercely independent blacksmith's apprentice, has always dismissed the tales of werewolves and ancient rivalries-until a vicious attack leaves her with a mark that binds her to the creatures she despises. As she navigates her transformation, Elise discovers she is part of a bloodline destined to stop a sinister force that awakens every Blood Moon. She must join forces with Kade, an enigmatic alpha hiding a dark secret, to uncover the truth behind their shared fate. But as alliances crumble and enemies close in, Elise learns that saving her people may require the ultimate sacrifice.
Chapter 1 1
The forge blazed with furious light, its heat licking at Elise Thorn's skin as she hammered molten iron into the shape of a curved blade. Sweat dripped from her brow, but she refused to falter, each strike of her hammer precise and deliberate. The clang of metal against metal reverberated through the small, smoke-filled workshop, a sound that steadied her nerves.
"Focus on the curve, Elise. It's not a club," her mentor, Old Joren, barked from his seat by the hearth. His one good eye glinted with sharpness that belied his years.
"It'll cut just fine," Elise shot back, though her lips twitched into a smirk. She respected Joren's skill but wasn't about to let him get under her skin. Not tonight, of all nights.
Ravenspire was unusually quiet for the eve of the Blood Moon. Normally, villagers would be bustling about, preparing charms and barricading their homes. But this year, an eerie tension hung in the air, heavy and stifling. Elise tried not to think about it. Superstitions, she told herself. Nothing more.
A loud crash broke her concentration.
"Elise!" Her younger brother, Will, burst into the forge, his small frame trembling. His face was pale, his chest heaving from the sprint.
"What is it?" Elise demanded, setting down the hammer.
"It's-it's the wolves. They're close!"
Joren stiffened, his gnarled hands gripping his cane. "Close? How close?"
Will pointed toward the woods beyond the village. "I saw them near the old mill. They're bigger than normal wolves... and their eyes..." His voice trailed off, fear stealing his words.
Elise felt a prickle of unease but quickly pushed it aside. "Stay here with Joren. I'll check it out."
"Don't be foolish," Joren warned. "You've heard the stories. If it's them, you'll not survive alone."
"I can't just sit here and do nothing," Elise snapped, already grabbing her newly forged blade. It was crude, but it would suffice.
The air outside was sharp and biting, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Elise's boots crunched against the frost-covered ground as she moved toward the edge of the village. The trees loomed ahead, their dark silhouettes swaying gently under the silver glow of the rising moon.
Her pulse quickened. Will's description echoed in her mind-wolves with glowing eyes. The stories of Ravenspire were full of such creatures, but she had always dismissed them as tales to frighten children. Yet, the unnatural stillness of the forest made her doubt her skepticism.
A low growl broke the silence.
Elise froze, her grip tightening on the hilt of her blade. Her eyes darted through the shadows, searching for movement. The growl deepened, reverberating through the trees like a warning.
A pair of glowing amber eyes emerged from the darkness.
Instinct took over. Elise raised her blade, her heart pounding in her chest. The wolf stepped into the moonlight, its form massive and menacing. Its fur was a dark, mottled gray, and its fangs gleamed like polished ivory.
"Get back!" she shouted, hoping her voice would mask the tremor in her hands.
The wolf didn't retreat. Instead, it prowled closer, its movements deliberate and predatory. Elise swung her blade in a wide arc, but the creature dodged effortlessly, its speed blurring the edges of its form.
The next moment happened too fast.
The wolf lunged, its jaws snapping inches from her arm. Elise stumbled, barely managing to twist out of the way. Pain seared through her side as she hit the ground, her blade skittering out of reach.
"Elise!"
Will's voice jolted her back to the present. She turned her head just in time to see her brother racing toward her, a look of pure terror on his face.
"Stay back!" she screamed, but it was too late.
The wolf growled, turning its attention to Will. Desperation surged through Elise, drowning out the pain in her side. She scrambled to her feet, lunging for her blade. The wolf leapt toward her brother.
Time seemed to slow.
Elise didn't think-she acted. With a roar, she threw herself between the wolf and Will, raising the blade in a desperate arc. The steel met flesh with a sickening crunch.
The wolf yelped, its momentum sending both it and Elise crashing to the ground. Claws raked against her skin, and she felt the sharp sting of teeth sinking into her shoulder.
Then, everything went dark.
---
When Elise woke, the first thing she noticed was the cold. It seeped into her bones, making her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Her vision swam as she tried to sit up, but a firm hand pressed her back down.
"Stay still," a deep voice commanded.
Her senses sharpened. The scent of pine and damp earth was stronger now, mingled with something musky and unfamiliar. She blinked, focusing on the figure crouched beside her.
He was tall, with dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. His expression was grim, his jaw set in a hard line.
"Who-" Elise's voice cracked. She swallowed, trying again. "Who are you?"
"Kade," he said simply.
Her gaze flicked to the bandages wrapped around her shoulder. The memory of the wolf's bite came rushing back.
"The wolf..."
"You're lucky to be alive," Kade interrupted. "That was no ordinary wolf."
"I figured that out when it tried to eat me," Elise muttered, her voice edged with defiance despite her weakness.
Kade's lips twitched, though it wasn't quite a smile. "You've been marked."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning Elise didn't yet understand.
"What does that mean?" she demanded, her stomach churning at the look in his eyes.
"It means your life is no longer your own," Kade said, his tone matter-of-fact. "The Blood Moon's curse is upon you now."
Her heart sank, but she refused to show fear. "I don't believe in curses."
"Then you're a fool," Kade said bluntly. He stood, his movements fluid and unnervingly graceful. "But whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. The mark is real. And if you want to survive, you'll listen to me."
Elise pushed herself upright despite the protests of her body. "Why should I trust you?"
Kade's gaze softened, just for a moment. "Because if you don't, the wolves won't just kill you. They'll turn you into something far worse."
The finality in his voice sent a chill down Elise's spine. For the first time, she realized she wasn't just fighting for her life-she was fighting for her soul.
Chapter 1 1
21/11/2024
Chapter 2 2
21/11/2024
Chapter 3 3
21/11/2024
Chapter 4 4
21/11/2024
Chapter 5 5
21/11/2024
Chapter 6 6
21/11/2024
Chapter 7 7
21/11/2024
Chapter 8 8
21/11/2024
Chapter 9 9
21/11/2024
Chapter 10 10
21/11/2024
Chapter 11 11
21/11/2024
Chapter 12 12
21/11/2024
Chapter 13 13
21/11/2024
Chapter 14 14
21/11/2024
Chapter 15 15
21/11/2024
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