onan" echoed in her mind like a bell, a chill of fear washed over her. She did

n?" Luna ask

ackling in the fire. That warmth felt very far

voice returned. "Open the door, Luna. We n

incts screamed for her to run, but she didn't know where to go. She didn't know the forest. The nearest town was mile

she could get out the back and run away or... she could go to face wh

is time: quieter. Calmer. "We're not going

other side of the room. She couldn't see their faces clearly enough, but something about them just un

soundless on the wooded floor. She hovered her hand ov

door, "I'll give you five minutes to tell

r side of the door until the voice

cool of the night air rushed in with the smell of pine and earth. There were three figures

r throat as she fully comprehended how her

with an air of tension about him, like a snake ready to bite at any moment. Behind him were two other men: one had golden-brown, almost tan hair (she thought of him as an a

omething more, as if they were not just men and that a feral trait danced just below the surface. They exuded an aura of mach

the emergence of rising fear i

d unwavering. "I'm Alec," he introduced. His voice was low and calm, but th

over her frame with childish curiosity. Kade, the dark-haired brother who loomed large, rem

te they presented, she did not wish to be intoxicated by it on her own doorstep. These strangers were stan

ut his composure remained resolute. "We hav

hing over me?" Luna blink

"From Ronan. He's searching for you." Alec's

swirling in her mind. "I'm just a person

ax and Kade. His jaw tightened once more, "You'

r ears as the meaning did not compute. "A moon-bearer?" she repeat

a strong bloodline." His voice was rougher than Alec's and he gazed

t. "Werewolves? You are tell

nd you are standing in

"You... you're wolves?" She took a s

u. We're here to protect you from Ronan, who has been hunting moon bearers for many yea

ers. A dangerous man named Ronan wanted her. None of it made any sense, but the eyes of the me

ring. "I don't have any power. I don't k

ly, "but it's in your blood, which is wh

smiling, "it's why, you

backed up further into the safety of the cabin.

his voice low, serious; "yes. You are no

He carried a quiet intensity to his words. "You don't know it yet,

had known really was falling apart, and she didn't know what to believe anymore. But the

pered softly. "I

ning face. "We will take

ngings, a niggling feeling began

en her whole life was about to change