THE FORSAKEN LUNA'S JOURNEY

narrow forest trail. The trees towered high above, their branches forming a dense c

e, wai

with sweat. We'd been best friends since we were kids romping through these very woods. Ethan

ou behind," I teased, forcing myself to slow my

er's name. "I still can't believe what they said happened. An ambush b

tacked so brazenly, especially within the guarded borders of the Nightshade pa

and it had nothing to do

. Crouched beside the still form of Jalen were my mother Ar

shen beneath the mask of dried blood spattered across her cheek. "We've done all we can to

s scored his broad chest, the jagged edges of torn flesh evidence of the ferocity of the attack. Thoug

aling magic that coursed through my veins. With trembling fingers, I hovered my

edges of flesh and muscle beginning to knit back together, but the process was agonizingly slow. Dark spots danced at

through gritted teeth, never

contained rage. "Hugo's pack. Those mangy furballs ha

re a roving band of outcasts, but even they shouldn't have dare

ion dawning. Hugo and his cohorts had been thirsting for an excuse, any excuse, to spa

ous harmony for centuries were rapidly unravelling. If we didn't act fast, an all-out war could erupt, one that would be felt b

, shattering the tension. His eyelids flut

ehow finding the strength to

ering. "What are you saying?

ecks of crimson spittle flew from his li

ripping the breath from my lungs. My hands grew numb, the hea

Blackwood, our leader, our guardian, responsible for this brutal attack agains

e me pause. Whatever doubts I may have harbored,

eyes. His body went limp, the last trickle of blood seeping from

ice barely registered amidst the roa

d taken his place among the very rogues he had sworn to destroy. Yet something even more terrifying gnawed at the back o

oice sounding eerily calm and

you insane? We should hunt those Bloodmo

my words to sink in, watched the realization shatter hi

heading our way. My heart pounded in my ears as the thunderous rhythm of paws against ea

angs in a chilling snarl. I shrank back instinctively as his wild eyes m

. In that fateful moment, the line was drawn. Suddenl

wood had com