The Moon Chosen

rritory earlier that day-wild, uncontrollable, and forceful. As the Moonstone Pack made their way back to the heart of their forest, Aria couldn't shake the coldness that cl

gnawing emptiness where she once bel

rs began to twinkle faintly in the vast expanse above. The forest felt alive under the soft moonlig

eep her company. Her brother, Elias, had gone off to join the pack's warriors, preparing them for the inevitable battles ahead. Tho

ll reeling, but she needed something-anything-that could calm her. She needed

earing. It was here that Aria felt her most at home, where the lunar energy hummed with a power she could neve

ere, she thought. But wh

something shifted. A flicker of energy pulsed through her veins, faint at first but growing stronger

oft, silvery light shimmered around her as if she had become one with the night itself. For the first time

t-she hadn't imagined it. It was real. The power that h

energy, a voice broke through the si

dent but filled with an undertone of warni

ws of the trees was n

tepped back. What was he doing here?

of a dream-his sharp features illuminated by the silvery light, his stormy gray eyes reflecting the turb

she asked, her voice more b

t imperceptible smirk, but it didn't re

tions rising-confusion, frustration, but also something else. She couldn't put it into words, but Asher's proximity only seemed to

said sharply, her voice more

is gaze locking with hers. "Maybe I should. Maybe you

orting-sent a shiver down her spine. She wanted to push him away, to reject his presence just as he had rejected

er," she finally muttered, t

ook another step closer, his voice low. Asher clenched his fists, fighting the primal

was feeling, but before she could speak, a sharp, pulsing pain shot through her

, but it only intensified. Her vision blurred, and she felt herself sway on her feet. The energ

ut it felt distant like he was calling from t

d on her tongue as the pain grew. Her hands trembled

hat instant, she felt something she hadn't exp

ergy. It was like a tether, pul

red, and she found herself staring up at Asher, his expression filled with

t?" Aria breathe

, then back to her face. His voice was barely above a whisper. "I

d only stare at him, her heart still racing. Was he right? Was

. was she r