Blood moon's shadow's

felt claustrophobic, yet the idea of stepping outside again filled her with dread. Dari

that she barely sipped. Her thoughts swirled, replaying Ronan's words

w?" she muttered to herself, her

ter than usual since Ronan's departure, his brooding prese

he mug down. "What happens if

You will," he said firmly, though the

n't kno

es meeting hers. "I won't l

d, it sent a chill through her. "You keep saying that, but what if

think," he said, his tone

laugh. "You've know

test hint of a smile. "Long enough

her chest only tightened. "What about Ronan? What's

on chaos. He'll do whatever he can to manipul

or that," L

across his face, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the faint scars on his skin.

hat made her want to believe him, ev

awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside the cabin. The morning li

e confusion, the weight of the unknown it all dis

the window, his face shadowed by wo

, isn't it?

ng to face her. "The fu

her throat dry. "What

are," Da

r w

mes," he replied

to recognize signs of a transformation changes in her senses,

the edge of the forest, staying close to the cabin. "Some pe

So I might just turn into

sion serious. "If it happens, don't fight it

hurned. "What if

t," he sa

you be

l be there,"

want to believe him, but the fear gn

avier. The light faded, casting long shadows across the

as the first stars appeared. Her heart raced with eve

, his gaze fixed

e," he sa

n emerged from behind the clouds. It was full and bright,

ot through her chest, and

er side in an instant,

" she choked out, h

on fire. She collapsed to her knees, clutching

Darius said, his voi

like she was slipping away. But then the pain

. Brighter. She could hear the rustling of leaves, the distan

said, his voice ba

confusion swirling in her e

hoed through the forest-low and mourn

ion hardened. "W

s, and Ronan emerged from the shadows, hi

about to begin," he sa

f Lena, his stance protec

. "Relax, Darius. I'm not here to fight.

pain, her body trembling. The moonlight seemed to pull a

n said, his voice soft

wled, his voice echo

d this time, she saw something different-her mother's f

her face. She looked at Darius, her voice tremb

but before he could speak, Len

left me

air, heavy with pain a