Luna stared at the words, her hands trembling as the journal sat open in her lap. "Trust no one, not even those who share your blood."
The weight of her mother's warning pressed down on her like a boulder. It wasn't just the message—it was the fear laced in her mother's handwriting, the way the ink trailed off at the edges as though written in haste or under duress.
A soft knock at the door startled her, and she slammed the journal shut. "Who is it?"
"It's me," Iris's gentle voice replied.
Luna hesitated before opening the door, quickly hiding the journal under her pillow. Iris stepped in, a small tray in her hands with a steaming cup of tea.
"You looked pale at breakfast," Iris said, setting the tray on the nightstand. Her warm brown eyes scanned Luna's face. "Are you feeling all right?"
Luna forced a smile. "Just tired. It's been... a lot."
Iris nodded, her expression kind but knowing. "That's understandable. You've been thrown into the deep end, but you're stronger than you think."
Luna glanced at the tray, using it as an excuse to avoid Iris's gaze. "Thanks for the tea."
Iris lingered for a moment, then reached out to gently squeeze Luna's shoulder. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
Luna nodded, her throat tight. As soon as Iris left, she locked the door and retrieved the journal.
She flipped back to the page with the warning, her mother's handwriting staring back at her like a haunting echo. She turned the next page, her fingers moving slowly as if bracing for whatever came next.
"If you're reading this, it means you've stepped into a world far more dangerous than you could ever imagine. There are those who will seek to manipulate you, to control you. Even those who appear to be allies may have their own motives. Be careful, my darling Luna."
The words blurred as tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away quickly and read on.
"Your father and I tried to protect you from this life, but fate has a way of pulling us back to where we belong. There's so much I wanted to tell you, but I ran out of time. Seek the truth, but tread carefully. Trust your instincts—they will guide you when all else fails."
Luna's grip tightened on the journal. She had always thought her parents' deaths were a tragedy, but now it felt like something much darker was at play. The cryptic warning, the advice to trust no one—it was as if her mother had known what would happen.
She closed the journal and sat in silence, her mind racing. Who could she trust? Gideon? Adrian? Even Iris?
A sudden howl pierced the air, sharp and eerie. It sent a shiver down her spine. Luna rushed to the window, pulling back the curtain. The forest beyond the mansion was bathed in silver moonlight, and shadows danced between the trees.
The howl came again, this time closer.
Minutes later, Luna found herself creeping down the hallway, her bare feet silent against the cold floor. She had no plan, only the overwhelming need to escape the suffocating walls of the mansion and clear her head.
The main doors creaked as she pushed them open, stepping into the crisp night air. The garden stretched before her, the scent of roses mingling with the earthy aroma of the woods.
She hesitated at the edge of the forest, her mother's warning echoing in her mind. "Trust no one... not even those who share your blood."
A rustle in the bushes snapped her attention forward. Her heart pounded as she scanned the shadows, her senses on high alert.
"Luna."
She whirled around, finding Adrian standing a few feet away, his face unreadable in the dim light.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice low but firm.
"I needed air," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "What about you?"
"I heard the howl," he said, stepping closer. "It's not safe to be out here alone."
Luna crossed her arms, her unease growing. "I can take care of myself."
Adrian's eyes darkened. "You have no idea what's out there. The rogues don't play by the rules, Luna. If they catch you, no one will hear your screams."
The imagery sent a chill through her, but she refused to show fear. "Why do you even care? You made it pretty clear I'm nothing but a burden to you."
His jaw tightened, but he said nothing for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, he grabbed her wrist. "Come with me."
"Let go—"
"Just trust me," he interrupted, his grip firm but not painful.
Reluctantly, Luna let him lead her deeper into the forest. The trees loomed overhead, their branches twisting like skeletal hands. The further they went, the louder her heartbeat became.
Finally, they reached a clearing where the moonlight pooled like liquid silver. Adrian stopped and turned to face her.
"I'm not your enemy," he said, his voice softer now. "But if you keep running around without thinking, you're going to get yourself killed."
Luna stared at him, searching his face for any hint of deceit. "Then tell me the truth. What aren't you saying?"
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "There are things about your parents' deaths—things Gideon won't tell you. But you're not ready to know everything yet."
Her frustration boiled over. "How am I supposed to be ready if everyone keeps hiding the truth from me?"
"Because the truth will break you if you're not strong enough," he said bluntly.
Luna's breath hitched. She wanted to scream, to demand answers, but the intensity in Adrian's eyes stopped her.
Before she could respond, a shadow moved at the edge of the clearing. Adrian's head snapped toward it, his body tense.
"Stay behind me," he ordered, his voice a low growl.
Luna barely had time to react before the shadow lunged. It was a wolf, its eyes glowing with malice, teeth bared as it charged.
Adrian shifted in an instant, his body contorting as fur sprouted along his arms and claws replaced his hands. The sight was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
The rogue wolf didn't hesitate, throwing itself at Adrian with a snarl. The two clashed violently, their growls and snarls echoing through the forest.
Luna stumbled back, her heart racing as she watched the brutal fight unfold. Adrian moved with precision, his claws slashing through the rogue's defenses. Finally, with a powerful swipe, he sent the wolf crashing into a tree.
The rogue whimpered and fled, disappearing into the shadows.
Adrian shifted back, his breathing heavy. He turned to Luna, his face etched with frustration. "This is exactly why you can't wander off. You don't know what's out here."
Luna swallowed hard, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "I didn't think—"
"No, you didn't," he snapped, cutting her off. "And next time, you might not be so lucky."
She looked away, shame and anger bubbling inside her.
Adrian's voice softened slightly. "You're not alone in this, Luna. But if you want to survive, you need to start listening."
She nodded, her throat tight. As they walked back to the mansion, Luna couldn't shake the feeling that the rogue's attack wasn't random.
Someone—or something—wanted her gone. And she was running out of people to trust.
Back in her room, Luna opened the journal again, desperate for answers. This time, a folded piece of paper fell out. It was a map, marked with an "X" deep in the woods. Beneath it, in her mother's handwriting, were the words: "The truth lies here."