Moonlight Treachery

eal glow over the secluded village of Wolf's Crest. Nestled deep within

our faces alight with expectation and reverence. The atmosphere buzzed with observable energy, th

ds catching the moonlight and giving me an almost ethereal appearance. I wore a simple, flowing white dress that contrasted starkly with the rugged attire of the others, illustrating purity and rea

e moon itself. The pack’s elder, a withered man with a beard as white as the moon, stepped forward, his staff clutched firm

tie us as one,” he commenced, his voice resonating through the clearing. It was a voice of authority, endure

tself. I had always ignored such talk as fairy tales, relics of an ancient time that no longer held sway over modern were

flames of the bonfire, found me in the crowd.

athering as I made my way t

, and expectation. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing th

ard it, I felt the heat of the bonfire on my ski

lder declared, his voice carrying a solemn reverence

Skylar are de

murmurs of excitement b

ng the moonlight, his presence commanding respect and attention. His eyes, a striking shade of blue, met mine with an inten

urned to the elder, his jaw set and eye

rough the gathering, the so

me. The joy and expectation that had filled the atmos

his stare fixe

nce with the rival pack’s daughter. This union, though

w stood divided by his declaration. I felt the sting of disloyalty deep in my core, my mom and reeling

’s will?” one of the pack members sho

voice carrying a heavy weight. “ But as future alpha, my first duty is to the well-being and future of our pack. An

ever imagined he would sacrifice our bond for the sake of politics. I wanted to yell, to protest, but no

nd of anguish

in, but I didn't care. I needed to get away, to escape the suffocating weigh

h, giving off startling shadows tha

stance, a stark contrast to the dark, suspicious forest. I collapsed onto a fallen log

kylar's rejection, his words repla

raw, primal sound that spoke to me of deep anguish and humiliation. I hugged myself tightly, tryin

of her hand, my thoughts slowly connecting into a single, unyielding decision. I would not be bound by the a

nced back towards the forest. The bonfire was a d

ne last look at the place I had once called home, I turned and m

artificial light that seemed to chase away the shadows. The buildings were tall and imposing, their windows dark and unwelcoming. A

nger, grief, and determination. Eventually, I found

leafy glow onto the pavement. I pushed open the

osphere filled with the aware, mundane scents of human life. I walked through the aisles, the normality of the scene grou

ing my attention. He was tall and athletic, his hair tousled mess of dark waves. His eyes, an impressive shade of amber, met mine

ow, hoarse rumble.” You look

though it felt mor

ould sa

ver leaving mine.” I'm Darren,

his hand. His grasp was firm

Lucy?”He asked, his eyes

nsure how mu

get away, “I

ack, from e

th understanding.” know the

you just nee

ed with unstated understanding. I felt a strange sense of