The Cursed Bloodline

too far into the forest or staying out past sunset. But that very night, as I stood under the brittle glow of the full moon, a cold

waved at me from the frontage of her house, her smiles wide and warm. "

h mark of the trees. I forced a smile, ignoring the itch

apping stories. The night was cool, perfect for one of our last gatherings before gra

asked, nudging me. "Why star

was running, the wind against my fur, the taste of the hunt sharp on my t

I lied. "Schoo

t hey, you're coming to the lake party nex

won't m

hispers came again, louder this time. Com

g from my hand and pouring

s frowned, her playf

jumped into my throat as everyone turned toward the woods. A d

hat?" someo

oice offered, more unc

re I saw a pair of eyes staring back at me, golden and stable. Then, as if I had st

ia. Ru

my feet started moving on their

, but her voice sounded far away, m

es. The forest felt alive, like it was watching, holding its own breath. I don't know what I w

t a whisper this time.

prung up from behind an oak, stepping into a beam of moonlight. His hair

hat you're doing," he sai

" I stammered, strugg

his fingers brushing my arm, sending a shock of electrici

hadows. This one was different-closer, angrier. The boy's eyes wid

, the urgency in his tone

ut

nd, dragging me back toward

ht and eyes beaming like molten gold. Not like any animal I'd ever seen, and when it locked its eyes with mine, a strange

th as the wolf took a step closer, head lowering, l

ut warning,

s I skidded on the rough forest floor, but I barely registered it. All I could see was the

the wolf halted mid-leap, snarling and p

eyes met mine once more. For a heartbeat, the world froze. A si

e one

out an ear splitting howl that scattered the night, a so

drained. "You need to know the truth

o the dark, leaving me breathless, worried, and with the real