The Cursed Luna's Second Chance

on the warrior across from me, a broad-shouldered, grinning wolf named Dane. He was one of the pack's finest and had a reputation for his strength, speed, and ability to disarm his opponents. I

me, it sank in a little deeper, gra

ng out his arms and flashing a smi

y stance, ignoring the tension pri

testing strikes, each of us gauging the other's strength and reaction. I knew how fast I could be, how sharp I'd trained myself to be. My

o long, the frustration inside me grew. It was one thing to be underestimated by those who didn't know me, but Dane? He'd seen me fight, had trained alongside

ded hard, a look of shock passing over his face as I stood over him, panting, fists clenched. For a moment, I wante

that was half-apology, half-surprise. "

e in my voice was hard to miss. He looked taken aback, and for a second, I almost felt bad. But the frustr

nversation between two other warriors by the training area's

A shadow curse," one murmured, casting a quic

o wonder she's had it tough. They say it took her

ing with the same pitying look I'd seen too many times. I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to react, not

ked past him, his voice hesitant, almost g

the time I reached the small hut that had been my home since... well, for as long as I coul

ted over the years cluttered the shelves-a carved figurine of a wolf my mother had given me, a few books worn and faded from countless reads

g through the air, her laughter rich and full of life, had always been my favorite sound. But that sound had faded

shunned, isolated in ways so subtle yet so profound that they left me feeling hollow? The weight of it bore down on me

be I'd taught myself not to, because it felt too much like giving in. But here, alone, with no one to see or j

omething I could afford, not when there was already so much stacked against me. I took a deep, shudder

cool evening air against my face. I looked up at the sky, watching as the first stars began to appear, their light

thorn embedded in my mind, refusing to let go. Was that truly what they thought of me? Did they really believe I

like an outsider, even among my own people. Maybe they'd always known, always sensed the

by shadows I didn't understand, held back by a curse that no one could explain. I needed answers, and I needed

ng, I made a silent vow, one that echoed

curse, dig as deep as I had to, face whatever shadows lay in my path. I would recl

settle over me like a shield. I wasn't just going to survive. I was going to fight, to

urking in the shadows that sought to bind me to this lif