The Beast Beneath the Moon

at deep, almost irresistible urge, was stronger than ever. It felt like a part of him-an ancient part-was awakening,

s were heightened, sharper. He could smell the crisp scent of the earth beneath his feet, the faint aroma of the flowers blooming in the gardens, and, more acutely, the rustle of small animals in the u

ts were

d, the shadows of his room stretching and twisting like living things. The pull of the full moon was irresistible, making him want to run, to howl into the night, t

happenin

ew what the girl had told him, but the idea of it-the idea that he was a part

e village. The moon hung high in the sky, glowing with an intensity that made Haruki's pulse race. He could feel its power, could feel the anci

in to the beast that was waiting for him. But there was something that held him back. The weight of his humanity, the

e could feel it. The beast was too close

o

The faintest movement in the distance caught his eye, and he froze. A figure

caught in his th

gi

s heart raced even faster. The closer he got, the more intense the sensation became-an overwhelming sense of longi

s tone filled with a mixture of annoyance and something else-so

stretched long across the ground. Her eyes glimmered with an unspoken knowle

ly. She didn't seem phased by the growing storm within him. "The wolf

on building inside him, but it didn't stop him from wanting to scream. "I don't want to be like this," he said, vo

ki. It's what you are. You're the last of your bloodline. A bloodline that carries the power of

this part of him that he didn't understand, terrified him. He had al

the desperation in his voice undeniable. "I want

hope. She placed a hand on his arm, gentle but firm. "You're not a monster. But you need to learn to control it, Haruki

r words. The girl was offering him something-answers, guidance. But even as he nodded, unce

do this," he muttered

don't have a choice. But I will be th

His senses flared-he could hear the distant cry of an animal in the woods, the rustling of the

oice soft but firm. "You'll see what you're truly capa

t. His eyes met hers, and for a split second, he saw something i

f the unknown, but something deep inside him knew this was the onl