Moonlit Bonds by Luna

ng to rise, casting long shadows across the asphalt, and students milled about, greeting friends and exchanging stories of their summer adventures. Ry

never stayed in one place for too long. His family had always been on the move, hiding their true nature from the world. But thi

ts on him, could hear the whispers and see the curious glances thrown his way. It was always the same wherever he went. His

. He had no interest in engaging with his new classmates. He was here for one purpose and one purpose only: t

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en cryptic, revealing little more than her name and the fact that she held the key to breaking the curse that had p

around a bulletin board, their excited chatter filling the hallway. He paused for a momen

must be th

hair and an easygoing smile standing next to him. He exte

nt before accepting the ha

place can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to i

ilt. Jasper seemed like a nice guy, and Ryder didn't want to invo

head slightly and his eyes locked onto a pair of striking green eyes. The girl was standing a few

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r in person was something entirely different. There was a magnetic pull between them, a connection that

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d familiar, something that tugged at the edges of her memory. She had heard the whispers about the new student, abo

" Felicity's voice bro

ning her attention back to her f

in Ryder's retreating form. "Distracted by the new guy, huh

e feeling that had settled in her chest. "Ye

There was something about him that drew her in, something that made her want to know more. She

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w that blending in was crucial, but it was difficult when every glance seemed to linger on him a little too long

ng eyes of his classmates. He needed a moment to clear his head, to remind himself of

f I joi

on her face. He felt his heart skip a beat, but he quick

with a mix of curiosity and something else-something that R

eeping his answers vague. "M

stood more than she was lett

yder said, shrugging. "

ed to gather her thoughts. "You know,

t he kept his expression calm. "I don't

resolve waver for a moment. "Well, welcome to Si

g of guilt for keeping his true int

loss. He knew he had to keep his distance, to focus on his mission, but

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he day's events in his mind. Meeting Luna had been more intense than he had anticipated. He had expecte

ween their families that would break the curse. Ryder had always been skeptical of such things,

ted was to put Luna in danger. He couldn't let his feelings cloud his judgm

ut even in his dreams, Luna's green eyes haunted him, a constan

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o unnoticed, but it was difficult when Luna seemed to be everywhere he turned. She was in his history class,

t drew her in, something that made her want to know more. She had tried to focus on her studies

yder sitting alone at a table, a book open in front of h

ing to sound casual.

hint of surprise

ok he was reading. "Greek mytholo

here's a lot you d

curiosity piqued. "But I

moment, Luna thought she saw a flicke

ye," Luna said honestly. "And because I feel like we

his jaw tightening.

smile playing on her lips. "But that d

a felt like she could see into his soul. The

ould say anything else, Ryder stood

s voice tinged with regret.

through his walls, to understanding the mystery that was Ryder Blackwood. But she wasn'

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in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that Ryder was hiding someth

ash over her. Her family's past was shrouded in mystery, but she was determined t

Ryder, about the strange connection she felt, and about her determination to uncover the secrets of h

ld find the answers she had be