Nightshade

The evening air was thick with anticipation and the mingling scents of family, friends, and packmates. Warm golden light from lanterns strung between the trees bathed the garden in a cozy glow. It was Zoe Reed’s eighteenth birthday - a milestone for any werewolf. The night of her first shift. The party was in full swing, laughter and chatter echoing against the backdrop of the woods surrounding their estate. Zoe sat on the patio steps, brushing her fingers over the smooth surface of the golden pendant her mother had just placed around her neck. The crescent-shaped locket gleamed in the soft light, feeling heavier than it should. Her mother stand before her, her eyes filled with a blend of pride and a flicker of something darker - worry, perhaps. “This pendant, Zoe, is more than just a gift. It’s a responsibility,” she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of generations past. “Our family has safeguarded it for centuries, waiting for the right moment. One day, someone will need it to stand against a great evil. It must stay safe, no matter what.” Zoe’s brow furrowed as she studied her mother’s expression. “Why me? Why now?” Her mother smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from Zoe’s face. “Because it’s your time. And because I trust you. You’re stronger than you know.” Before Zoe could press for more answers, the moon broke through the clouds, casting a silver light across the garden. The murmurs of the guests quieted, all eyes turning to her. “It’s time,” her father announced, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and solemnity. Zoe’s heart raced as she stepped into the clearing, the grass cool beneath her bare feet. The world seemed to hold its breath. She tilted her head back, letting the moonlight wash over her. A sharp, primal force surged within her chest, a calling she could no longer ignore. As the change began, pain and power flooded Zoe’s senses, but then, suddenly, she was no longer alone. In the vast, star-strewn void of her mind, a shimmering white wolf stood before her, its golden eyes wise and fierce. “Hello, Zoe,” the wolf said, her voice both gentle and commanding. “I’m Talia . I’m your wolf. I’ve been waiting for this moment.” Zoe blinked, stunned. “You’re… beautiful.” The wolf’s ears twitched, a playful gleam in her eyes. “So are you. And together, we’ll be unstoppable.” The two stared at each other for a long moment, a bond of unity forming like a lock clicking into place. Zoe felt the wolf’s strength merge with her own, their hearts beating in perfect rhythm. “Are you ready?” the wolf asked. Zoe took a deep breath, her nerves melting away. “I’m ready.” The pain returned, but it was no longer terrifying. It was transformative. Zoe’s body reshaped itself, bones shifting, muscles rippling, her senses sharpening as she let the wolf take over. When the change was complete, the crowd gasped. Zoe stood in the clearing, her fur as white as freshly fallen snow, her golden eyes gleaming with a light that seemed otherworldly. She felt powerful, unstoppable, as though the moon itself had blessed her. When she shifted back to human form moments later, the astonished murmurs of the crowd grew louder. Her mother hurried to her side, gasping softly as she touched Zoe’s forehead. A glowing crescent moon mark shimmered there, faint but undeniable. “It can’t be,” her father whispered, stepping closer. “It is,” her mother said, her voice trembling with awe. “She’s been blessed. By Nyx and the Moon Goddess.” Zoe frowned, confusion knitting her brow. “What does it mean?” “It means you’re destined for something far greater than any of us,” her mother said, her voice heavy with emotion. “But we’ll explain more later. For now, you need to rest. You leave for Nighthaven Academy tomorrow.” As the celebration resumed, Zoe’s thoughts swirled with the revelations. She found a moment of quiet near the edge of the garden, watching the lanterns sway in the breeze. Her mother’s words, the mark on her forehead, the connection with her wolf - it was all too much. “Zoe!” Sara’s voice cut through her thoughts. She turned to see her friend hurrying toward her, her face pale. “Something’s wrong. There’s..” Before Sara could finish, a growl echoed through the crowd, and the joyous atmosphere shattered like glass. Guests turned, their faces shifting from laughter to alarm as the tension in the air thickened. Zoe’s wolf stirred within her, ready for whatever came next. “What’s happening?” Zoe asked, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her chest. Sara grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the house. “I don’t know, but we need to find your parents. Now.” The night that had begun with celebration descended into chaos and bloodshed. Zoe ran alongside Sara through the garden, her heart pounding in her chest. The joyous laughter of the party had been replaced with screams and the unmistakable, sickening scent of blood. The golden pendant bounced against her chest with every step, a chilling reminder of her mother’s urgent words: “It must stay safe, no matter what.” The two skidded to a halt near the edge of the crowd, their eyes widening at the c*****e unfolding before them. Wolves - massive, savage, and wrong - tore through the gathered guests. Their forms were warped, their eyes glowing with an unnatural, malevolent light. The air reeked of dark magic, thick and oppressive.