THE CURSED MOON HEIR

Humans didn’t belong in Oakridge Forest, everyone knew that. The ancient forest belonged to wolves and powerful Lycans who had ruled these lands for centuries. They hunted together, lived together, and protected their territory with ruthless loyalty. To them, humans were weak, fragile creatures who wandered too close to danger, and danger never showed mercy. Yet somehow… I had lived among them for nineteen years. “Roselyn!” My foster father’s voice echoed from outside our tiny wooden cottage. “The herbs won’t gather themselves.” I sighed and came out stepping into the cool morning air. Sunlight filtered through the towering oak trees, casting dancing shadows across the forest floor. The scent of pine, damp earth, and wildflowers filled the air. It was beautiful. It had always been my home, even if I never truly belonged. Roland stood beside our small vegetable garden, his weathered hands resting on a basket overflowing with freshly picked medicinal plants. His silver hair had grown longer over the years, but his sharp blue eyes still carried the quiet strength of a man who had survived many battles. “There you are,” he said with a gentle smile. “The healer from Crest Creek asked for more moonleaf today.” I collect the basket and smiled back. “I’m going.” He studied me for a moment before he said “You didn’t sleep much?” I shrugged “I couldn’t.” That wasn’t unusual anymore. For weeks, strange dreams had haunted my nights. Dreams of a woman wearing a silver crown, A magnificent palace beneath a glowing moon and a voice that kept whispering my name. Whenever I woke, the memories disappeared like mist. “it’s the same dream…They felt… real.” Roland’s smile faded, He looked away. For the briefest moment, I caught something in his expression, Fear… But it vanished quickly that I wondered if I had imagined it. “You worry too much,” he said softly. “Now go before the healer starts complaining.” I laughed as I placed the basket on my head, “As if she doesn’t complain every day.” He chuckled. Leaving our cottage behind, I followed the narrow forest path toward the village. The villagers were already busy preparing for tonight’s celebration. Children ran through the streets carrying silver ribbons, Women decorated houses with fresh flowers, Men raised enormous banners displaying the royal crest of the Lycan Kingdom, The entire village buzzed with excitement. Tonight wasn’t just another festival, Tonight Prince Noah, the future Lycan King, would visit Oakridge Forest before his coronation. Every unmated woman in the village hoped fate would reveal him as her destined mate. I never understood the obsession. Among wolves, the Moon Goddess blessed everyone with a fated partner…Their other half… The one soul they were destined to love. Humans didn’t have mates. At least… That’s what everyone believed. As I walked through the village square, familiar whispers followed me. “There goes the Hollow Girl.” “I still don’t understand why Roland keeps her.” “Maybe she’s cursed.” I lowered my head and kept walking. After nineteen years… The words shouldn’t hurt anymore… But they always did. No matter how often I smiled, or how much I pretended not to care. I would always be different. Every wolf carried a unique scent, Even children possessed traces of wolf essence from birth. It was how they recognized one another, How they found family, How they found mates. But Me? Nothing… No wolf scent.. No magic. It was as if I simply… Didn’t exist. I reached the healer’s cottage and delivered the herbs before wandering toward the river to clear my mind. The flowing water had always been my favorite place. No whispers, No judgment, Just peace. I knelt beside the riverbank and stared at my reflection. Long chestnut hair, Clear gray eyes, Pale sun-kissed skin. An ordinary girl Or so I wanted to believe. Suddenly, a strange pain shot through my chest. I gasped, pressing a hand over my heart. It disappeared almost as quickly as it came. Then a loud horn echoed through the forest. The entire village erupted into cheers. “They’re here!” someone shouted. Within moments, every road leading into the village was lined with excited wolves. Then… They appeared. First came dozens of elite Lycan guards riding enormous wolves. Behind them marched warriors carrying silver banners embroidered with the royal crest. Finally… He arrived, Prince Noah. He rode a magnificent black horse, his posture straight and commanding. He looked no older than twenty-four, yet there was an unmistakable authority about him. His dark hair moved gently in the evening breeze, while his piercing golden eyes swept calmly across the crowd. The moment Noah stepped into the village square… Every wolf bowed. Even the village Alpha lowered his head. Following everyone’s lead, I bowed too. Silence settled over the square. I kept my eyes fixed on the ground. Then… I felt it. A strange warmth spread through my chest, Pain followed, Sharp, Sudden. I instinctively pressed a hand against my collarbone. Something beneath my skin pulsed. A faint silver light flickered beneath the fabric of my dress before disappearing almost instantly. No one saw it… Except Prince Noah. I slowly raised my head. Our eyes met and Time seemed to stop. The noise around us faded until all I could hear was the frantic beating of my own heart. Confusion crossed his face, Then shock, Then something deeper… Recognition, Impossible recognition. Without taking his eyes off me, he began walking forward. The crowd immediately parted, leaving only a few feet between us. Every step made my heart race faster till He stopped directly in front of me and stared with unusual intensity. Not anger, Not curiosity, Fear… Then, in a voice so soft that only I could hear, he whispered, “I’ve been looking for you.” Before I could speak… A deafening howl echoed across Oakridge Forest. It wasn’t the joyful howl of a wolf finding its mate. It was a howl filled with terror, And for the first time in my life… I realized that whatever I truly was… The wolves feared it.