The first crescent moon
339 Words
The crimson glow of the Blood Moon had faded.
But peace never came.
As dusk settled over Blackwood Forest, Elara's chest tightened with a strange ache. Her heart beat faster, and an unfamiliar warmth spread through her body.
She stumbled.
"Elara!" Adrian caught her before she could fall.
Kael was at her side in an instant.
"What's happening?"
Before Elara could answer, a sharp pain tore through her lower abdomen.
She gasped.
A single drop of blood slipped onto the forest floor.
The earth trembled.
Lucian's face drained of color.
"No..."
Riven slowly looked toward the dark forest.
"They've smelled it."
A deafening howl echoed through the trees.
Then another.
And another.
The shadows began to move.
Hundreds of glowing crimson eyes appeared between the ancient oaks.
"They're here," Darius growled, drawing his sword.
Kael stepped in front of Elara without hesitation.
"No one touches her."
The creatures burst from the darkness.
Massive wolves with hollow eyes.
Twisted beasts covered in black vines.
Winged monsters with claws sharp enough to slice through stone.
They all wanted one thing.
Elara.
The five Alphas formed a circle around her.
"Stay behind us," Kael ordered.
"We'll die before we let them reach you," Adrian said.
The first beast lunged.
Darius met it with a roar, sending it crashing into the trees.
Lucian's silver blade flashed beneath the moonlight.
Riven fought with terrifying grace, never allowing a single creature to cross the circle.
Kael stood before Elara like an unmovable mountain, cutting down every monster that came near.
Even surrounded by darkness, not one Alpha took a single step away from her.
They would rather lose their own lives than lose her.
As another wave charged toward them, Elara clutched the glowing crescent mark on her wrist.
"What do they want from me?" she cried.
Kael's golden eyes never left the enemy.
"They don't want you..."
His grip tightened around his sword.
"They want the power flowing through your blood."
And tonight...
They would have to fight until sunrise to keep her alive.
- Writer
