The pendant felt heavy in Luna's hand, its weight far greater than its size suggested. She stared at it, her fingers tracing the intricate symbols etched into the silver. They seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive, and the warmth it emitted spread through her like a comforting embrace. But comfort was the last thing she felt.
The forest around her was silent now, the werewolf long gone, but the memory of its golden eyes lingered in her mind. She had never seen anything so terrifying—or so captivating. Shaking her head, she shoved the pendant into her pocket and scrambled to her feet. Her satchel lay a few feet away, its contents spilled across the forest floor. She gathered the moonflowers quickly, her hands trembling as she stuffed them back into the bag.
"Get a grip, Luna," she muttered to herself, though her voice sounded small in the vast emptiness of the woods. She slung the satchel over her shoulder and turned toward the village, her heart still racing.
The walk back felt longer than usual, every shadow stretching and twisting in the moonlight. She kept glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting the werewolf to reappear. But the forest remained still, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath her boots.
By the time she reached the outskirts of the village, the first light of dawn was breaking over the horizon. The cottages were just beginning to stir, smoke curling from chimneys as the villagers prepared for the day. Luna slipped through the narrow streets, avoiding the main square where the early risers gathered. She didn't want to explain why she looked so disheveled, or why her hands were still shaking.
Her cottage was at the edge of the village, nestled between an old oak tree and a crumbling stone wall. It was small but cozy, with a thatched roof and a garden overrun with herbs and wildflowers. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, the familiar scent of dried lavender and chamomile calming her nerves.
"Luna?" a voice called from the kitchen. Her grandmother, Elara, appeared in the doorway, her silver hair tied back in a loose braid. Her sharp blue eyes narrowed as she took in Luna's appearance. "Where have you been? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine, Grandma," Luna said, forcing a smile. "Just… had a long night."
Elara studied her for a moment, then sighed. "You've been in the forest again, haven't you? I've told you a hundred times, it's not safe out there after dark."
"I know, but Mrs. Harlow needed moonflowers, and—"
"And you couldn't say no," Elara finished, her tone softening. She stepped forward and cupped Luna's face in her hands. "You have your mother's heart, child. Always putting others before yourself. But you must be careful. The forest… it holds more secrets than you know."
Luna frowned. "What do you mean?"
Elara hesitated, her gaze flickering to the window. For a moment, she looked as if she wanted to say more, but then she shook her head. "Never mind. Go wash up. You look like you've been rolling in the dirt."
Luna nodded, though her mind was racing. Her grandmother had always been cryptic about the forest, about the past. She had never known her parents—they had died when she was just a baby—and Elara rarely spoke of them. But there were times, like now, when Luna sensed there was more to the story.
She retreated to her room, a small space filled with books, dried herbs, and trinkets she had collected over the years. She set the satchel down and pulled the pendant from her pocket, holding it up to the light. The symbols seemed to shimmer as she turned it over, their meaning just out of reach.
"What are you?" she whispered.
As if in response, a faint hum filled the air, and the pendant grew warm in her hand. Luna's breath caught as an image flashed in her mind—a towering stone archway, covered in vines and glowing with the same symbols as the pendant. It stood in the heart of the forest, hidden deep within the shadows.
The vision vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving Luna dizzy and disoriented. She stumbled back, clutching the pendant to her chest. What was happening to her?
Before she could process what she had seen, a loud knock echoed through the cottage. Luna jumped, her heart leaping into her throat. She shoved the pendant into her pocket and hurried to the door, her grandmother close behind.
Standing on the doorstep was a man she had never seen before. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair streaked with silver. His eyes were a piercing shade of blue, and they bore into hers with an intensity that made her take a step back.
"Luna Everly?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding.
"Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"My name is Kael Blackthorn," he said, his gaze never leaving hers. "We need to talk."