he lower part of my stomach. I crumble to my knees

of my pain. I see them drop their trays and rush to my side. Their worried fa

" one of them mutters grimly,

c seeping into her voice. "I'll get Luna and the clinic sta

ormal. My parents have taken me to every doctor they could find, humans and wolves, but none could explain why my cycle leaves me teetering on the edge o

pain would lessen-that my wolf would somehow balance my system. But I'm s

tomach, my nails leaving angry red marks on my skin. Th

e sting barely noticeable against the lingering ache in my abdomen. The steady b

a storm. Her eyes are pitch black, her wolf is fully in control,

woman in a white lab coat says, bowing her head resp

es return. "My strong little woman," she murmurs, ruffling my hair in that comforting way only she can. "We're ba

not the Luna of the Red Da

ould I say Alpha?" I croak,

're expecting some impromptu guests tonight

Guests? From which pack? You

simply, and the tension

th has made them second only to our pack, but their methods and intentions remain shrouded in mystery. The stories about their alph

do the

quested a meeting with your father and his family." Sh

oo," I say with a sig

't have to, but it's tradition. And look on the bright side-Ken, Kira, and

can't help but laugh. It's one of

the pack's mind-link. When she snaps back, she says, "The Shadow Moon Pack will arri

ask, wincing as another wa

should start working soon." She glances

"I'll have someone fetch enough supplies to get you

nks,

"Be ready by six-thirty," she c

tifully, bowing my head

t the pain forces me into a hunched position. By the time I reach my room,

ike a lightning bolt-earthy, rich, and tinged with le

nses on high alert. The scent grows stronger, i

ers in my mind, her vo

in, desperate to pinpoint the source. It's close-so close-but

omach creeps back, reminding me of reality. Exhausted, I collapse onto my bed, hoping a

carrying with it the faintest hint of rain. Heav

eams swirling with thoughts of unfamiliar scents and myst

s, will bring mo