CHAPTER 9
1200 Words
The forest outside the house sounded like it was alive. Darius's wolves' red eyes shone in the dark, and their growls could be heard throughout the clearing. My hands shook, and I felt a faint silver energy pulse through my veins. This told me that the Moonbound power inside me was ready, but not always reliable.
I saw the shadow move again. It was huge—bigger than any wolf or person I had ever seen. Its fur—or maybe its skin—moved in a strange way as it took in the moonlight. Its molten red eyes were fixed on me, and for a scary moment I thought it could see not only me but also my soul.
Kael growled behind me, his wolf muscles tense and half-changed. "Selene, stay back. Don't let it touch you."
"I..." "I can't just stand here," I said in a weak voice, but I could feel the power rising in me. The Guardian Moon above pulsed, and I could feel it in my body. I could feel an old, alive thing moving inside me.
The shadow growled and shook the ground below us with a deep, bone-rattling sound. Its shape changed, becoming more human-like while still having wolf-like features. It let out a low growl and then jumped forward quickly.
My hands instinctively shot out, and silver energy erupted around me like a shield. The blast hit the shadow and sent it crashing back into the trees, where the trees broke apart and snapped like brittle bones. I stumbled back, out of breath, and my legs felt like they were going to give out.
There was something in Darius's voice that made my blood run cold as he yelled from the edge of the forest, "You're stronger than I thought." "But not strong enough." Not yet.
I looked at Kael, who was yelling at me, "Selene!""Pay attention! You have no idea what you're doing!"
"I am!" I yelled, but the weight of the forest and the shadow slowly rising again made my voice sound weak. It was l*****g its wounds but not giving up. It was smart. Not only was it striking me, but it was also looking at me. Putting me to the test.
Thorne stood next to Kael. His golden eyes were fierce and shining. He said, "That wolf isn't like other wolves. It has Elder blood." Dangerous. It knows who you are too. "To the Moon."
I took a deep breath. "Do you know me? Why?"
The shadow had dark blue eyes that were fixed on us. Finally, Draven spoke up. "It knows who you are." And what you will be if you make it through this.
A chill went down my spine. The Guardian Moon throbbed above me, and the symbols on the floor below me flickered in response. I could feel my energy building up—hungry, anxious, and ready to be let out.
"I can't handle it!"""I said it, my throat tight with fear."
"Yes, you can," Kael said as he stepped closer, tensing up like a wolf. You need to. Do not let it scare you. "Fear will ruin everything if you let it."
The shadow moved faster this time. As soon as I raised my hands, silver light shot out of them like a wave of melted metal. When it hit the shade, the energy threw it back so hard that trees broke.
I tripped but didn't fall down. I was really excited, but my legs were shaking and my chest hurt. I was still living. More alive than ever. It was clear to the shadow what it was.
Darius came out of the woods and moved closer. "You're learning quickly," he told her, and his voice included a bit of respect. "But do you think you can pass the real test? The one that comes after the Moonbound wakes up?"
My jaw got tense. I said, "I... I'll make it," even though I didn't want to. "I won't run, no matter what happens next."
With its claws digging into the ground, the shadow stood up straight again. It was huge and scary. It looked at me with the intent of a hunter. It c****d its head as if to say, "I see you." Then it let out a roar that was so loud it shook my body.
When Kael charged, he showed his teeth and let go of his wolf form. Thorne came after them, a strong, quick, and golden blur of anger. Draven even moved. He was cool but dangerous, and everyone tensed up when he was around.
I didn't go with them, though. I was stuck. A very strong throbbed the Guardian Moon above me, and I could feel it looking at me, trying me, and judging me. I felt a bright fire in my chest when I woke up.
"I have to do this," I told myself in a whisper as I took a step forward. I had my hands raised, and I felt energy going through my heart, legs, and arms.
I saw the shadow again. Faster and smarter this time. Without thinking, my silver light shot forward and hit it in the air. Electricity sparks and pieces of broken earth flew up all around us. I got so much energy that I thought the Moon was holding me up.
It shook in the forest. The dogs howled. The weight made the trees bend and grumble. When Darius stepped forward, his eyes shone gold, and he said, "Don't be too humble, Moonbound. Things are stronger than you think!""
I clenched my teeth and paid attention. My heart was beating in time with the power inside me, and I realized I was at the center of this storm. The Guardian Moon's energy and my own power mixed to make a barrier that just barely kept the shadow away.
I looked at Kael, who was fighting the ghost as a wolf. "Selene, now!""Push it!" he yelled.
I took a deep breath and sent all of my silver energy at the shadow. The blast hit it hard, making its eyes shine with a scary mix of anger and fear.
Then it stopped completely. It knelt down and tilted its head as if it were waiting.
"You are fully awake," it growled, making a sound that shook the ground and my bones. "But being awake doesn't mean you have control." "Moonbound, show me that you can handle what's coming next."
It was still going strong in my blood, even though my body was shaking and my chest was heaving.
From the edge of the trees, something else took place. It was bigger than Darius and every dog I had ever seen. Something, maybe a person, rose above the trees. From it, shadows reached out and blocked the moonlight.
I stopped moving. My heart beat fast. The presence of it made my power surge out of control.
Thorne tensed up, Kael growled, and Draven's face turned dark.
I thought to myself, "I might not make it through this next moment."
As the big shadow got closer, I was sure it wasn't going to hurt Kael, Thorne, or Draven.
It was going to get me.
- Writer
