LUNAR RECKONING

ough the branches - it was excessively, too sharp, excessively loud. However, something about its wildness c

of dreams that felt too real, of arguments with Grayson that left me raw, of Liam's relieving words that felt like a demulcent I didn't merit.

y ribs. "Who's there?" I called, my voice steadier than I

changes were happening to me. My senses, sharpened by something I didn't understand, had b

I spun around, my breath catching in my throat. And there it was-a wolf. But not just any wolf. This one

a wolf. It wa

t my sides, useless against something so primal and deadly. The wolf's

wolf itself. It wasn't spoken in words, but I understood it al

reath hitching. "What

berate circle around me. "Your blood... it sings. They'll

ly gave out. "I don't know what you're talking

ead, an almost mockin

en it

o the side, hitting the ground hard as the wolf's massive body crashed into the space

. My mind raced, desperate for an escape, but the wolf moved too fast

hed me, a deafening roar

ay

lided with the wolf mid-air, their bodies crashing to the ground in a snarling, chaotic tan

e and terrifying. It was over in seconds. The rogue wolf yelped, a sound th

d to me, his eyes blazing with a mixture o

u thinking?" he snarle

mmered, still tryin

m and pulling me to my feet. His grasp was firm, yet a

m in spite of the tears stinging my ey

mportant for this world now, regardless of whether you like it. Also, in the

ed down. He paced the lounge like a confined c

alone," he said, his voice tight with scarcely limited

s assuming you'd let me know what's happening rather t

me with an intensity that made my s

t for you," I shot back. "What was t

ightened, but h

d, my voice soft

.. tired. "It was a rogue. And it knew who you were beca

loodline?" I ask

ook his head. "Not no

us for who?

suffocating tension. He found me sitting on the back steps,

he asked, sit

say that,"

ayson can be... inten

aid, glancing at him. "What about you? Ar

m going to remind you that we'

d. "Even

t second before he recovered. "Talon'

t night, leaning casually against the

vival instincts," he said, his grin

him. "What d

. "That attack today? It wasn't random. The rogue

ed, my chest

d simply. "You're a thre

weighty and choking. "I didn't request this,

the way that it's working out. Furthermore, on the off chance that you don't

an edge. He ventured out onto the yard, his appearanc

't argue. "Contemplat

as gone, vanishing

ing with a combination of outrag

e stepped nearer, his voice low and risky."Sta

, the words getting away

stead, he walked away, abandoning me with the de

arks on the edge of the forest-deep,