Blood moon's shadow's

rio pushed forward. The adrenaline was fading, leaving Lena drained and raw. Every muscle in her body

ought up the rear, uncharacteristically quiet. Lena walked in the midd

istent, whispering in the back of her min

e muttered un

asked, his voice br

she'd spoken aloud. "No

press. "You did good back there,

f killed," Lena rep

mirk. "And you took down that rogue like a

n't feel like a natural-she

ugh the conversation. He gestured to a small clearing

to the ground with a sigh

r legs trembling from exhaustion. Darius

ou feeling

admitted. "An

first shift is always the hardest.

. voice. It's been in my head since the transformation starte

nged a glance, and Len

voice rising. "What a

an inner wolf-a part of you that's wild, instinctive. Sometime

o make me feel bet

s your strength, your guide. But it can also be

g myself now," L

Darius said. "You're le

uttered. "You've had your whole life

. This isn't fair. But you're stronger than

n't feel strong. She felt like she was d

Look, I know this sucks," he said, his mouth full. "But trust

hering glare. "I se

lf. But if you ever need a r

ond, Darius stood abru

a asked, her hear

e," Darius said

nt, his easygoing demeanor replac

his eyes narrowin

ena's pulse quickened. Darius moved in fron

g. It was a woman, her long silver hair catching the moonlight.

n said, her voice

lders stiffen

ancing between t

na, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I

concern," Darius s

tep closer. "Word travels fast, and the p

twisted. "What

mpathetic. "The Elders won't wait long before they come for you. And

cold. "How do you

amusement in her eyes. "

ng closer to Evelyn. "

s aggression. "Relax, Darius. I'm not

at?" Lena asked,

just a part of you-it's something much older. Much more d

er mind reeling. "What

nough," Evelyn said, he

hadows, leaving Lena with more questions than answers. Darius is visibly

e reveals that Evelyn was once part of the pack but turned rogue after challenging the Elders. She's k

warns Lena. "Whatever she

n her mind. That night, her dreams are filled with vivid images of a wolf r