The Moon's Cursed Healer

g like molten sunlight, each strand catching the light as if kissed by the Moon Goddess herself. It framed a face so deli

even in the dimmest light. Not pale in the way that looked sickly, but lu

er ey

their depths, making it impossible to look away. They weren't just beautiful; they were haunting, mesmerizing in a way tha

softest shade of rose, were crafted for tempt

been taught to see herself as anything special, especially not a

cy that her mother, the council, her father, and the Luna Catherine knew all too well. A prophecy that was never meant to be shared. And so, the secret was ke

her own. Of those five children, only Layla, Joselyn, and her only brother remained-until tragedy struck, and the two brothers perished

father's hand-poisoned to please the Luna Catherine, in exchange for a favor. This act ha

nt and weak she was. Felissa, her cruel stepsister, and Elga, her brutish stepbrother, made her life unbearable. They would torment her, mocking her for being wolf

never been able to earn his favor. It wasn't just her step-family that made her life a living hell; it was the emptiness inside her, a constant reminder that she was not like the others. Her

shift for the first time and prove her worth to the pack. But Layla had always known deep down that something was wrong. The wolf inside her had never answered the call, no matter how hard she tried.

ement as they watched the young adults prepare for the moment of their transformation. Layla stood at the back, her heart racing as she fidgeted with the hem of her dress.

ce rang out. "Come forwa

followed her every move, and Layla could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on her like a

oment she would ei

the elder's voice reverberated through the room

d to shift. The wolf was within her, she was sure of it. But no matter how hard she tried, the wolf refused

ng ha

of their gazes unbearable. Layla stood there, exposed, a girl who couldn't even shift, a failure

ugh her. "Useless," he muttered, barely loud e

voice sweet but dripping with contempt. "I told you," she

c," he growled, his voice dripping with scorn. He shoved her roug

to disappear, to vanish into the shadows and never face them again. But instead, she stoo

saw in her, but she also knew that one day, they would all regret this.