LOVER'S LUNAR CURSE

the decision pressing heavily on her shoulders. She hadn't slept much the night before. Every moment had been consumed by thoughts of the curse, of Declan, and the

le, but there was a quiet determination in his eyes. Despite his earlier warnings, he hadn't tried to stop her

t Declan, her concern for him still fresh, though she was beginning to recognize the strengt

ers of his lips, but it quickly faded. "You're the one who's been up all

ly able to stand, let alone walk through the forest. His body was still recovering from the brutal t

gesture of reassurance. "We'll take it slow," she s

of this. You think a few herbs and a walk in the woods will solve everything? The forest is alive with magic. It doesn't

egends spoke of the spirits that dwelled within, of creatures that hunted those who entered uninvited, of wolves that roamed in packs, the

her brow furrowing. "What do

The alpha. The one who cursed my family. He's still out there, waiting. He

as something darker than she could have imagined. The idea of an alpha wolf-an ancient creature who could control t

she said firmly. "Whateve

ing some inner demon, trying to decide whether or not he could trust her. She could see the conflict in his eyes-the pa

t nod. "Let's go then.

loomed overhead, their twisted branches weaving together to block out most of the early morning light

be echoed by the crunch of leaves underfoot, but in the stillness of the forest, the sounds seemed amplified.

ould catch him muttering something under his breath-words she didn't understand, words that sounded l

rom his curse, a man who had learned to survive by keeping his distance from others, from life itself. And yet, here he was, walking beside her, allowing her to

he resisted her help, the bond between them was undeniable. It had been there from the mom

rth softer underfoot. Emmeline's breath quickened as they approached a clearing. She could sense th

audible. He had stopped, his eyes fixed on

d weathered by time. It was unlike anything she had ever seen-a portal, a doorway into another realm. The air a

pered, her voice full

"Once we enter, we can't turn back," he warned. "The trials will b

the small satchel she had packed with herb

ign of weakness, some hint that she might turn back. But there was none. H

d sigh, he nodded. "T

hey stepped thr

-

n any storm cloud she had ever felt. The path stretched out before them, barely visible beneath the thick canopy of twisting trees that loomed overhead like

ariness and familiarity. Emmeline couldn't help but notice how he held himself-guarded, as if expecting danger to spring from every shadow. It mad

rembled slightly from the strain of walking. "The forest tests yo

Emmeline asked, keeping her voice steady

ots crunching softly on the forest floor, his posture rigid.

, even here. But the forest itself-" He paused, his lips tight as if to stop himself from saying too much.

rp the mind and twist reality. But hearing it from Declan's lips brought a new weight to the warning. This wasn'

he contact, but he didn't pull away. "Declan," she said softly, trying to reassure him, though the

e. It disappeared quickly, replaced by his usual guarded expression. "I don't want you to get h

st. She knew she was lying, even to herself, but she refused to

r across the path. The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the air became, heavy with the scent of earth and decay. Emmeline could almost taste the m

nd in the path, the

into the path, its fur sleek and black as night, its eyes burning with an otherworldly gold. Its posture was regal, its every movement graceful and predatory

than just an animal sound-it was a voice, distor

twisted sound that made Emmeline's skin crawl. "But t

lf with a cold, calculating gaze. He had faced these trials before, she realized-he had

ing weight, as though it could see right into their souls

and shot to his dagger, but before he could draw it, the wolf stopped mid-air, as if frozen by an invisible force. It snarled,

f's voice growled. "You will see the truth of your bond. But i

ishing as quickly as it had appeared. Emmeline blinked, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of it

?" she asked,

s voice low. "The forest's fi

l claim what it is owed. What did that mean? And why had it mentioned t

ow. The path ahead was unclear, and each step they took brought them closer to the heart of t

line said, though her voice was steadying, fi

ers for any sign of doubt. But all he found was

ice quiet but resolute. "The

passing moment. Emmeline couldn't shake the feeling that the forest was watching, waiting for them to falter. But no ma

she wasn't about to let the fore

words, but Declan didn't slow down. If anything, his pace quickened, as though he knew they couldn't afford to ling

eemed a distant memory as they plunged deeper into the heart of the forest, the canopy overhead blocking out most of the sun. The silence was unner

She had never believed in the legends surrounding the cursed woods, never thought they could be true.

n in his shoulders, the way his hand subtly brushed the hilt of his dagger, ready for anything. Whate

ness. Despite herself, her nerves were starting to get the better of he

ened path ahead before turning to her. "We're getting close. The trials on

e weight of the forest bearing down on her. It was as though the land itself was watching, waiti

rcing herself to speak with more conf

mination, though Emmeline could tell that every step was a struggle for him. She could see the occasional wi

in the path, and tha

froze, her breath catching in her chest. Declan's hand shot out to grab her arm, pulling h

re," he

. Something was moving through the underbrush-a large creature, its presence undeniable.

the shadows

en light, and its teeth gleamed sharp and white in the dim light. The wolf was unlike any creature Emmel

t make any move to draw it, though. He just stood there, staring at

ral rumble that seemed to vibrate the very air around them. It

eep, growling rasp, somehow human and animal at once. Emmeline blinked

ure's burning eyes. "I've come to end it," he said, his voi

?" it asked, its voice dripping with mockery. "You think you can escape what has been etched int

't fully understand. She glanced at Declan, who seemed to be bracing himself for som

ing Declan. "The forest holds all things in its grasp. You cannot run fro

is voice suddenly harsh. "I'l

d deep in its throat. "Then prove it, boy. Prove you ca

meeting the wolf's strike with a skill that surprised Emmeline. The two collided, the wolf's massive body crashing against Declan's arm, the force of the impac

n-paralyzed by the intensity of its gaze. She could feel its power radiating

inside her stirred.

ce breaking through the tensio

e wolf back, forcing it to stumble. The creature growled, its eyes burning

ething that almost sounded like respect. "You carry fire in your veins. Bu

ppeared. Emmeline exhaled in relief, her legs suddenly weak beneath her. She had

arting through the shadows, as though waiting for anot

id. "This forest doesn't give up

ords. The forest holds all things in its grasp. What had it meant

me for answers now.

not knowing what awaited them next. But Emmeline knew one thing for

..