MOONLIGHT SAVIOR

aved with frustration, her bare feet rooted to the earth like a sapling refusing to sway. Around her, the fo

gaze making her nerves prickle. "Focus, Aria," he instructed, his voice c

intended. "All I've gotten is a headache and... this." She gestured to her

art," Ethan

a disaster," she mut

ler figure. "This isn't just about control, Aria. It's about survival. If you ca

ch certainty, as though he'd already seen how this would

hrough gritted tee

nd for a moment, she wanted to slap it off

teady gaze didn't waver.

ow. "Feel the ground beneath your feet, t

ld hear was the frantic pounding of her heart, but slowly, other sounds began to filter in-the

roving. "Now, reach deeper. Your

he was looking for, but as she focused, a strange sensation s

ething," she s

n confirmed. "Don't figh

. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. But just as she began to

e in an instant, steadying h

said, her voice tremb

cking onto hers. "You can," he said firmly. "It's not s

victories. Ethan pushed Aria to her limits, challenging he

to the forest, to a secluded spot wh

n to fight," he said, his

r stomach twisting. "Who

darkened. "Anyone

ng heavy in the air. Aria

the grace and speed of a wolf. At first, her attempts were clumsy, she tri

flexes sharpened, her movements grew more fluid, and

ssion, Ethan stepped back and crossed his arm

pping down her brow. "Not bad

ked. "And

t help the small smile

strange sense of comfort in Ethan's presence. He was pa

ly gentle when

Ethan handed her a steaming cup of

inst his. "Thanks," she murmured, feeling a

ile, the crackling flames fi

e barely above a whisper. "I mean, really helping me. Y

htening. "Because I couldn't walk away,

. She looked at him, searching his fac

tronger than you know, Aria. And whether you believe i

s she sat there, the weight of his words settled over h

turned into weeks. He pushed Aria harder, demand

overlooking the valley. "This is wher

"Test? What

lf down there, a loner who's been causing trouble for

want me to hunt a wolf?" E

gue. She took a deep breath, steeled h

the scent of the rogue leading her through the trees like a trail of b

d and his eyes wild. He snarled at her, baring his te

voice in her head: "You'r

ogue lunged, and the fight began. After an hour of relentless battle