Raven stood in front of the mirror, brushing her dark hair as the flickering glow of candles illuminated her small bedroom. The old cabin she shared with her foster mom, Karen, creaked in the night wind. Karen had taken her in as a baby, and while Raven couldn't remember anything about her real parents, this cabin had always been her home.Karen was loving but cautious, always warning Raven to stay away from the woods.
"Stay close to the house," Karen had said earlier that evening. "Wolves roam the forest at night. You don't want to end up their dinner."
Raven rolled her eyes at the memory. Karen's warnings had grown tiresome over the years, but Raven never dared to question why they felt more like fear than simple advice. At eighteen, she longed for freedom and answers—both of which seemed just out of reach.That night, as the clock struck midnight, a sudden heat rippled through her body. Raven doubled over, clutching her stomach as the world around her blurred."What's happening?" she gasped, stumbling toward the door. Her skin burned, her muscles ached, and her bones felt like they were breaking apart.The forest seemed to pulse with energy as she stumbled outside, her bare feet sinking into the damp earth. The moon hung heavy in the sky, its silver light piercing through the canopy. Each step felt heavier than the last until she collapsed on all fours.Then came the shift.Bones snapped, muscles tore and reformed, and a guttural scream escaped her lips, morphing into a howl that echoed through the night. When the pain subsided, Raven blinked, her vision sharper than ever. Her reflection in a nearby stream revealed glowing amber eyes and a sleek coat of dark fur."I'm—" she choked out, her voice replaced by a low growl. "What am I?"Before she could process what was happening, a sharp rustling sound made her ears perk up. A scent—musky and foreign—filled the air. She turned her head, catching sight of glowing eyes in the shadows. Wolves.They were massive, their forms blending seamlessly with the night. One of them stepped forward, its silver fur shimmering in the moonlight. In an instant, the wolf shifted into a man—a tall figure with dark hair and piercing green eyes."Who are you?" he demanded, his voice cold and commanding. "And why are you trespassing in Briarwood territory?""I-I don't know," Raven stammered, her words coming out in a strange mix of growls and whimpers.Another figure emerged—a tall woman with fiery red hair and an air of authority. Her voice was sharp. "She's unmarked. A rogue."The man narrowed his eyes, taking a step closer to Raven. "Rogues are a threat to the pack. Take her."Before she could react, powerful hands gripped her arms, hauling her to her feet. Panic surged through her veins as she struggled against her captors, but their strength was overwhelming."I didn't mean to trespass!" Raven cried out, fear and confusion swirling inside her. "I don't even know what's happening to me!"The man's gaze softened for a brief moment, but his tone remained firm. "That's what we'll find out. Take her to Odina."As the wolves dragged her deeper into the forest, Raven's heart pounded. Questions raced through her mind. Who were these people? What did they mean by "rogue"? And what had just happened to her?But one question loomed larger than the rest: What if she never made it out of these woods alive?