LUNAR VEIL

The crimson moon hung low over Solhaven, its eerie glow casting long shadows across the forest floor. Eira Callen crouched in the underbrush, her breathing shallow as she scanned the tree line. The chill of the night seeped through her cloak, but she ignored it. Nights like this-when the moon was full and blood-red-were dangerous for everyone, especially for someone like her.

Born of both werewolf and vampire blood, Eira was a mistake. An abomination. The kind of creature that shouldn't exist. The Veil Keepers, the unseen rulers of Solhaven, made sure of that. If they ever found her, she would be executed on sight.

Her silver eyes darted toward Jonah, her only friend and accomplice in the hunt for answers. He was human, young and scrawny, but his loyalty was unshakable. Tonight, he looked even more uneasy than usual.

"You shouldn't be out here," he whispered, shifting uncomfortably. "The Veil Keepers are patrolling. If they catch us..."

"They won't," Eira interrupted, her voice firm. "I'm careful."

Jonah frowned, glancing at the blood moon above. "You say that every time, but tonight feels... different. The elders warned about this eclipse. They say it's a bad omen."

Eira snorted. "The elders see bad omens in their soup. I'm not going to hide because of some superstition."

"Superstition didn't kill three people in the last week," Jonah retorted, his voice rising slightly.

Eira shot him a sharp look, and he fell silent. She didn't need reminding of the recent murders. She had smelled the blood in the air, felt the unease rippling through Solhaven. Someone, or something, was hunting.

Before Jonah could say more, the sound of snapping twigs broke the stillness. Both of them froze.

Eira's senses sharpened. She smelled it before she saw it-blood, thick and metallic, mingled with something darker, more sinister. A figure stumbled into the clearing, collapsing onto the damp earth.

Jonah took a step forward, but Eira grabbed his arm. "Wait."

The figure groaned, rolling onto their back. Their cloak was soaked in blood, the fabric clinging to their body. Eira's instincts screamed at her to leave, but something held her in place.

"Help... me..." the figure rasped.

Against her better judgment, Eira approached cautiously, her hand resting on the hilt of the dagger at her waist. Jonah followed hesitantly.

As she got closer, the figure's scent hit her like a slap to the face-vampire. Her grip on the dagger tightened.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

The vampire's eyes snapped open, glowing a vivid crimson. In a blur of motion, it lunged. Eira barely had time to react. She sidestepped, drawing her dagger and slashing out. The blade caught the vampire's arm, but it didn't slow down.

"Eira!" Jonah shouted, scrambling backward.

The vampire snarled, its fangs glinting in the moonlight. Eira braced herself for another attack, but before it could reach her, a massive black wolf burst from the shadows, tackling the creature to the ground.

The forest exploded into chaos. Snarls and growls filled the air as the wolf and vampire clashed, their movements a blur of teeth and claws. Eira watched, stunned, as the wolf overpowered the vampire, tearing into its throat with savage efficiency.

Within moments, the vampire was reduced to ash, the remnants scattering in the wind.

The wolf turned toward Eira, its golden eyes locking onto hers. She tightened her grip on her dagger, ready for a fight.

But instead of attacking, the wolf began to shift. Its body contorted, fur retracting as it stood upright. Within seconds, a man stood before her, tall and broad-shouldered, his wild black hair falling into his piercing golden eyes.

"Who the hell are you?" Eira demanded, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

The man smirked, his gaze sweeping over her. "I could ask you the same thing, hybrid."

Eira's stomach dropped. She kept her identity hidden for years. No one was supposed to know.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said coldly.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb. I can smell it on you-wolf and vampire blood, tangled together. You're an anomaly, and a dangerous one at that."

Jonah stepped forward, his face pale. "Look, whoever you are, we don't want any trouble. We were just-"

"Trouble found you," the man interrupted. His smirk faded, replaced by a grim expression. "The Veil Keepers are already on their way. That vampire was a scout, and now they know you're here."

Eira's heart pounded. If the Veil Keepers found her, she wouldn't stand a chance.

"Why should I trust you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"You shouldn't," the man replied. "But I'm your best shot at surviving the night."

"Eira, we have to go," Jonah urged, glancing nervously at the surrounding trees.

The man extended a hand toward her. "The name's Draven. Decide quickly, hybrid. Time's running out."

Eira hesitated, her mind racing. Trusting a stranger was dangerous, but staying here was suicide.

With a deep breath, she sheathed her dagger and took his hand.

"Good choice," Draven said, his lips curving into a faint smile.

As the distant sound of footsteps and snapping branches reached her ears, Eira realized she had just stepped into a much larger game. And she wasn't sure if she was a player-or the prize