The werewolf curse

: The Mark

felt the pull of the moon, s

rounded by dense forests and ancient whispers, the town clung to secrets like ivy to brick. At seventeen, Mara had grown used

the bitter air. Her body pulsed with an energy she couldn't name, her skin itching, he

gr

mal. Beh

tu

e up sc

the room, robe flapping around her

ked with sweat. There was a sharp pain in her shoulder, like she'd been bitten. He

eyes w

he whispered, voice

gasped. "What

re. She just helped Mara up,

hild knew the stories-half-man, half-beast, stalking the woods under a full moon. Cursed by the

asn't nonse

en table with a steaming cup of tea in

, pacing. "Your mother wanted to wait, th

a frowned. "Wh

erations ago, with a betrayal. A Blackwood fell in love with a creature of the forest. When the villagers

You're saying I'm... cursed?

ra said. "A marked one. Th

ble, nearly knocking over th

own and looked in the mirror. There was no wound anymor

rk's appeared. That me

n for

moon after the mark, you'll shift. And once you do, the f

gripped the counte

e a way to stop

u can prepare. You h

hispered. "Before I

ara said gently. "You're a

, Mara wen

llage limits, into the tangle of pine and ash. The moon was thin, but it still lit the forest floor in

a

Had she im

ra

rer this time, from

lowed t

. The trees closer.

wo

e. Its fur shimmered silver-blue under the moon

rowl. It bo

out knowing w

hoed in her mind, not human, no

d and vanished

hless. The wind no longer felt cr

nge was

asn't so sure