The werewolf curse

ree: The H

sleep the

rs, the soles of her feet. But it wasn't just the physical

lue wolf had

enses remained sharpened. She could hear the creek behind the house from her room. Smell Clara's tea br

time. That the forest didn't sp

feeling that something was w

hing

ut admitting it. The day after Mara's transform

nt," someone mutte

king funny," said another

stares. Their fear. But now, she understood

id of what she

en table. "The more they whisper, the less they act. Bu

ebrow. "That's ju

blood moon. The forest calls its own to test them aga

"You think som

didn't

edge of the forest again. Not to sh

rets in the breeze. A fox darted past her boots without fear. She

ard it: a disturbance in

ing un

foots

villager's. Heavier. M

nd a tree and h

ce shadowed by a wide-brimmed hat. On his back hung a blade

unt

, then knelt. His fingers brushed the dirt

ear," he

pounding. The hunter didn't h

ed through the t

Not

ped into the clearing, ha

"You again," he muttered.

led louder, b

hunter said. "But the moon rises s

rned and vanishe

t turned to where Mara stood

s what

mist, it wa

he door behind her. "There's a hunt

"What did h

s a dark coat. Like somet

the table edge. "I h

is

ers. They train to kill anything touched by old magi

floorboards crea

not just a werewolf anymore. You're a symbol. T

her fists. "So

it. Learn to fight as both girl and wolf. Because

passed in a bl

how to channel the wolf without losing herself. Each night, Mara shifted

too. A heat in her che

ung

care

?" she asked one night,

you care. That's your anchor. Don'

e could still feel the wildness

d red and swollen in the sky, Mara stoo

longer

was

the shadows, blade

he said. "To run. Y

a said. "

cloak and let th

s br

bloo

s glowe

e wolf stepped

y. "So it's true. The f

sed hi

t held it

battle