Moonlit Awakening

re relaxed yet somehow predatory. He tracked Maya's approach wi

ly," he noted as she re

session with an argument wouldn't help either of them.

ry werewolf has different strengths, different triggers. Before I c

n last night was unplanned and fueled by the full moon.

ickened. "Already? I

the sooner you can learn to manage it." He gestured to the open field around them. "That's why we

anxiety. "So how does this work?

larly strong emotions like fear, anger, or excitement. The full moon amplifies those emotions beyond

nsformation can be controlled through focus and emotional regulation

me emotional? That doesn'

analytical mind, think of it as a physiological response to stimuli. Adrenaline, cortisol, and se

thrope-specific hormones? Has anyone

siology lesson later. Right now,

eyes. Think about last night-the moment right

the terror of the previous night. "I was scared. Confus

controlled transformation," Lucas mused. "Try

werewolf and having my entire life uproot

olf chose you and changed you forever." His voice grew harder. "The fact that you're now at the bottom

ion that spread through her limbs. Her hands clenche

nd your life lying to them, watching them age while you stay the same for d

er again. The heat was becoming unbearable now,

"And the worst part? You can't ever go back. You're stuck like this-a sc

Maya shouted, a

rearranging. This was focused, localized. She felt her fingernails extend and harden into claws, felt her canine

in genuine surprise. "Well," he sa

with curved, darkened claws. She ran her tongue over her sharpene

asked, her voice slightly di

tone suddenly professional, almost clinical. "Regulated breathing. Me

tern she'd learned for managing pre-exam anxiety. She pictured her normal hands, her normal teeth, and gradual

manage their first controlled reversal." He studied her th

nce sixth grade," Maya said dryly. "Sel

ore his mask of indifference returned. "Let's try again. This time, I wan

th the wolf ears Maya couldn't yet manifest physically. By the time Lucas called a halt to the session, Maya was exhausted

ain campus. "Though you'll need to find a trigger other than anger for re

this information. "What

her to give her a real answer. "Freedom," he fina

he could reply, a commotion near the main building drew their attention. A c

ing on?" M

nsing. "Hunters," he said gri

unters?" Maya felt a chill d

actly.

ith tinted windows were parked in the circular drive, and a group of men and women in dar

as explained quietly. "To make sure everyone stays on academy grounds dur

oon?" Maya

ly... intense. Especially for younger wolves." His eyes n

ha

ir who was speaking with Professor Moonclaw. "That's Callum Rhys. He doesn't

nment. Maya studied the man, noting his military bearing and the easy confidence with

nd beckoned them over. Lucas hesitated bri

s. Bennett. This is perfect timing. Callum

of her appearance. "Ms. Bennett," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle despite his intimidating presenc

ably under his scrutin

her mentor? Interesting choice, Art

lackwood made the assignment. He felt Mr. Gray's particula

ning Maya couldn't decipher. He turned back to her. "I'd like to spea

tween her and Callum. "Ms. Bennett has training scheduled for the rest of the a

dy, Gray? That's unlike you." He waved a hand dismissively. "Tomorrow, then. My team will be

hispered, "What was that ab

dle routine security or student interviews. He's the Council's clean

ills rogues,"

erest in your case means the Council is taking the unauthorized tur

n the darkness, the impossible speed of her attacker. She'd caug

" she admitted. "I doubt I

aborated. "When a werewolf turns a human, it creates a blood bond. That's why mentor relationships are

ying I have some kind of supernat

there's no further contact, especially if you form new pack bonds. Bu

Callum Rhys, who was now directing his team toward th

doesn't particularly care if

-

ning field again before dawn, she retreated to her room, grateful that Emma was still in class. She needed time to process every

oon just past full, beginning its waning cycle. According to Lucas, her transformative urges would decrease gradually until the

oughts. Emma poked her head in, her usual

's talking about the Counc

p up with the latest terrifying

oor behind her. "Lucas told

w about

sitting on her bed. "Though most Bloodline students are to

d. "What exactly d

other person is in extreme pain or danger. But for some, especially new bonds, it can be more int

nning through unfamiliar forests, exhilarating speed, moonlight filteri

to go somewhere specific?" Emma

ing like

bond to call their Turned to them. It's one of the reasons unauthorize

d with a groan. "This ju

cil's top enforcer here, they'll probably catch the rog

l kill them," M

nce was ans

and already the weight of her new reality was crushing. Werewolves and blood bonds and hunters

ize and analyze until it made sense. But another part-perhap

nt moon pendant. Despite Blackwood's warning, its familiar weight was comforting. Whatev

control her, or worse, being controlled t

ansformation, understand these new rules and politics, and find a way to make this strange new world work for her. She was still M

ldn't come soon enough. Knowledge was power, and r