Thalia was in her room, lying on her bed, lost in thought about the party invitation from Marcus. She glanced at her alarm clock—10:55 p.m. The soft glow of moonlight poured into her room, casting shadows that danced across the walls.
“I wonder if they’ll let me go to the party,” she whispered, feeling her stomach tighten with nerves. She knew that if she asked Madam Rose, the answer would be a firm no, paired with a reminder of her role as a mere maid. “Or should I just sneak out?” she murmured to herself, considering the idea as she sat up.
Just then, a sharp pain suddenly struck her head, making her gasp as she pressed her hands against her temples. Images flooded her mind—a vision of a wolf with piercing eyes, carrying a child on its back. She stumbled and fell back onto her bed, her
