MOONLIGHT PROTECTOR

"Who are you?" Aria asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ethan's smile faltered, and he looked away. "I'm someone who's been watching you," he said, his voice low and rough. "Someone who's been trying to keep you safe."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "Why?" she asked, her voice firm.

Ethan's gaze snapped back to hers, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Because you're in danger," he said. "Because there are people who want to hurt you."

Aria felt a chill run down her spine. She had always known she was different, but she had never imagined she was in danger.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "You're not like other people," he said. "You have a gift. A gift that makes you a target."

Aria's heart skipped a beat. What gift? And who was after her?

As she looked up at Ethan, Aria knew she had to trust him. She had to know what was going on.

"Tell me more," she said, her voice firm.

Ethan's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "Let's get out of here," he said. "We can talk more when we're safe."

Aria nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She knew she was taking a risk, but she had to know the truth.

As she followed Ethan out of the clearing, Aria felt a sense of excitement mixed with fear. She was stepping into the unknown, and she had no idea what lay ahead.

But she was ready.

Ethan led Aria through the dense forest, his senses on high alert for any signs of danger. They moved quickly, their footsteps quiet on the damp earth.

As they walked, Aria's mind reeled with questions. Who was Ethan, really? What did he mean by "gift"? And who was after her?

But before she could ask any of these questions, Ethan stopped suddenly, his head cocked to the side.

"What is it?" Aria whispered, her heart racing with fear.

Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, his expression grim. "We're being followed," he said, his voice low and rough.

Aria's eyes scanned the surrounding trees, but she saw nothing. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan's gaze flicked to the left, and Aria followed his gaze. That's when she saw them - a group of shadowy figures, lurking just beyond the treeline.

Aria's heart skipped a beat. "What do we do?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear.

Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, his expression fierce. "We fight," he said, his voice low and rough.

With that, Ethan transformed into his wolf form, his body rippling with muscle and power. Aria watched in awe as he charged towards the shadowy figures, his jaws snapping with deadly precision.

The figures didn't stand a chance. Ethan tore through them with ease, his wolf form a blur of fur and fang.

As the last figure fell, Ethan transformed back into his human form, his chest heaving with exertion. He turned to Aria, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Come on," he said, his voice low and rough. "We need to get out of here."

Aria nodded, her heart still racing with fear. She followed Ethan as he led her deeper into the forest, the trees growing taller and darker with every step.

As they walked, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that they were being herded towards some unknown destination. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she knew she had to trust Ethan for now.

As they walked, the trees grew taller and the air grew thick with an eerie, unnatural silence. Aria's skin prickled with unease, and she found herself glancing nervously at Ethan.

Suddenly, Ethan stopped, his head cocked to the side. "We're here," he said, his voice low and rough.

Aria's eyes scanned the surrounding trees, but she saw nothing. "Where is 'here'?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with intensity. "You'll see," he said. "Just trust me."

Aria hesitated, unsure of what to do. But something about Ethan's words resonated with her. She felt a spark of trust, a sense that he was telling the truth.

So she nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation. "Okay," she said. "I trust you."

Ethan's eyes flashed with approval, and he turned to lead her deeper into the forest.

As they emerged from the trees, Aria gasped in shock. Before her lay a massive, ancient mansion, its walls towering above the trees.

"Welcome to Oakwood Manor," Ethan said, his voice low and rough.

Aria's eyes widened in awe as she stared up at the mansion. What was this place? And why had Ethan brought her here?

As she turned to ask him, Aria saw something that made her blood run cold. A figure, lurking in the shadows, watching her.

And Aria knew that she was in grave danger.

Aria's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the figure lurking in the shadows. Ethan's eyes flicked to hers, his expression grim.

"Get behind me," he growled, his body positioning itself between Aria and the unknown threat.

Aria didn't hesitate. She darted behind Ethan, her heart pounding with fear.

The figure emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on Aria with an unnerving intensity. Ethan took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides.

"You're not welcome here," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

The figure sneered, its lips curling up in a cold, calculating smile. "I'm not here for you, Ethan," it said, its voice dripping with malice. "I'm here for her."

Aria's heart skipped a beat as the figure took a step closer. Ethan's body tensed, his muscles rippling beneath his skin.

"Don't take another step," he warned, his voice deadly calm.

The figure laughed, its eyes glinting with amusement. "You think you can stop me?" it sneered. "I have powers beyond your wildest imagination."

With that, the figure raised its hand, and a blast of energy shot towards Aria. Ethan leapt forward, his body intercepting the attack.

Aria watched in horror as Ethan's body absorbed the blast, his muscles convulsing with pain.

"Ethan!" she screamed, her heart racing with fear.

But Ethan didn't respond. He just stood there, his body frozen in agony.

And Aria knew she had to act fast.

With a fierce cry, Aria launched herself at the figure, her fists flying in a flurry of punches and kicks. The figure stumbled back, its eyes widening in surprise.

But Aria didn't stop. She kept fighting, her body fueled by adrenaline and fear.

And as she fought, Aria felt something strange happening. Her body was changing, her senses heightening.

She could feel the energy coursing through her veins, a powerful force that threatened to consume her.

And Aria knew that she was on the verge of discovering a secret about herself, a secret that would change her life forever.

Aria's fists flew faster, her kicks landing with precision. The figure stumbled back, its eyes wide with shock.

But Aria didn't stop. She kept fighting, her body fueled by adrenaline and fear.

As she fought, Aria felt the energy coursing through her veins grow stronger. Her senses heightened, and she could feel the air around her vibrating with power.

Suddenly, Aria's body glowed with a soft, white light. The figure stumbled back, its eyes fixed on Aria in horror.

Ethan's body stirred, his eyes flicking open. He stared at Aria in shock, his expression frozen in awe.

"Aria, what's happening?" he whispered, his voice trembling with fear.