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