The werewolf curse

o: Blood a

like hers-felt like a mirror, reflecting something wild and ancient stirring inside her. Th

d books and yellowed maps. A thick volume lay open on the desk, page

g," Clara said wi

id you

ara replied, tapping a symbol on th

a said. "But it didn

snapped up.

owly. "And I..

h a thud. "That means i

ned. "The

t a small pouch tied with twine. "Most cursed lose themselves to the beast. But so

blo

h the mark. And the bound-souls who are chosen, linked to the forest itself. When one of the cursed meets a bo

his forest spirit?" Mara

id," Clara sai

that smelled like old smoke and mildew. Some pages detailed the transformation: bones breaking

ge stuck

he blood and the breath. The moon doe

to her again, but she didn't go. She sat at the win

er a small vial fille

ust dull the pain. If you drink it before th

ig

ara said, placing a hand on Mara's shoulder. "But you'

Her mouth went dry every time she thought about what would happen

distance, but Mara didn't look back. She stood at the forest's edge, h

insisted s

d, "if the beast takes over... you may need

and the smell of moss and smoke filled her lungs. Deeper and deeper

in cam

spine twisted, fingers elongating, nails splitting into claws. Her skin itched, then tore. Fur-dark as midn

as sh

th

le

pulsed with scent, sound, and sensation. A rabbit darted nearby; she kne

he trees

the clearing. It didn't speak, n

the beast. Y

to attack, b

omen running with wolves, of blood spilled under moons, of trees whispering names fo

Bind

dn't f

let

d cold but alive. Her body ached, but her mind was clear. Clara s

ping the cloak around her. "You surviv

Mara said hoarsely. She

-blue wolf

nged. She wasn't just cursed any

ing in her eyes. "You're the first

tired smile. "S

. "Now? We teach you

knew: this was on