The forest was quiet, too quiet.
Luna stood in the center of the stone circle, her hands glowing with a soft silver light. The magic flowed through her like a river, steady and controlled, but she could feel the undercurrent of power beneath the surface. It was intoxicating, exhilarating—and terrifying.
Kael watched her from the edge of the clearing, his arms crossed over his chest. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes never left her. She could feel his gaze like a physical touch, a constant reminder of the connection between them.
"Focus," he said, his voice cutting through the silence. "Don't let it control you. You control it."
Luna nodded, her breath steady as she concentrated on the magic. She could feel it responding to her thoughts, the light around her hands growing brighter as she willed it to. But then, something shifted.
The warmth of the pendant grew hotter, almost burning against her skin, and the magic surged suddenly, flooding her senses. The light around her hands flared brightly, then exploded outward in a shockwave that sent Kael stumbling back.
"Luna!" he shouted, his voice sharp with warning.
But it was too late. The magic was spiraling out of control, the light around her growing brighter and brighter until it was blinding. Luna tried to pull it back, to regain control, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave.
And then, just as suddenly as it had surged, the magic vanished.
Luna collapsed to her knees, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. The clearing was silent again, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the wind.
"Are you all right?" Kael asked, his voice closer now.
Luna looked up to find him standing over her, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. She nodded, though her hands were still trembling.
"I'm fine," she said, her voice shaky. "I just… lost control."
Kael sighed and crouched down beside her, his golden eyes searching hers. "Magic is unpredictable, especially when it's new to you. But you can't let it overwhelm you. You have to stay focused."
Luna nodded, though her mind was still reeling. She had never felt anything like that before—the raw, untamed power that had surged through her. It was exhilarating, but it was also dangerous.
"I'll try," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael studied her for a moment longer, then stood and held out a hand. "Come on. We should keep moving. The Bloodfang Pack won't wait forever."
Luna took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. His grip was firm, his skin warm against hers, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of something—something she couldn't quite name. But then he released her hand and turned away, and the moment was gone.
They walked in silence for a while, the forest growing darker as the sun dipped below the horizon. Luna could feel the weight of the pendant against her chest, a constant reminder of the power she carried—and the danger that came with it.
"Kael," she said after a while, breaking the silence. "What happens if the Bloodfang Pack finds us?"
Kael didn't answer right away. His steps slowed, and he glanced over his shoulder at her, his expression grim. "They won't stop until they have the pendant—and you. They'll use your magic to unlock the temple, and then they'll use the temple's power to destroy everything in their path."
Luna's stomach churned at the thought. "Then we have to stop them."
"We will," Kael said, his voice firm. "But you need to be ready. The Bloodfang Pack is ruthless, and they won't fight fair."
Before Luna could respond, a low growl echoed through the trees. She froze, her heart pounding as she scanned the shadows.
"Kael," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I know," he said, his voice low and steady. He stepped in front of her, his body tense and ready. "Stay behind me."
The growl came again, closer this time, and then a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a werewolf, its fur a deep, blood-red and its eyes glowing like embers. It prowled toward them, its lips curled back in a snarl, revealing sharp, gleaming fangs.
Luna's breath caught. This wasn't just any werewolf—this was a member of the Bloodfang Pack.
"Luna," Kael said, his voice calm but urgent. "When I say run, you run. Don't look back."
"I'm not leaving you," Luna said, her voice firm despite the fear coursing through her.
"You don't have a choice," Kael said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This is what I've trained for. Now, run!"
The werewolf lunged, and Kael shifted in an instant, his human form giving way to the powerful, dark-furred wolf she had seen that night in the forest. He met the Bloodfang wolf head-on, their bodies colliding with a force that shook the ground.
Luna hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding as she watched the two wolves clash. But then Kael's voice echoed in her mind, sharp and commanding.
"Run!"
She turned and bolted, her feet pounding against the forest floor as she raced through the trees. The pendant burned against her chest, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold fear gripping her heart.
She didn't know how long she ran, or where she was going. All she knew was that she had to get away, had to find somewhere safe. But as she burst into another clearing, she skidded to a halt, her breath catching in her throat.
Standing in the center of the clearing was another figure—a woman with fiery red hair and eyes that glowed like the Bloodfang wolf's. She smiled as she saw Luna, a cruel, predatory smile that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Well, well," the woman said, her voice dripping with malice. "Look what the moon dragged in."