Moonlit Secrets

Annika Wolfhart was born into the prestigious Silvermoon clan, a clan belonging to a society of werewolves led by the strongest of Alphas who view werewolves as superior to humans. However, something was brewing within the clan. There was a small group of rouge wolves who didn’t agree with this way of thinking. They called themselves The Scarlet Sentinels. They believed they could live among the humans as equals and that putting down one race didn’t make them superior, but weaker. If the opposing races came together, they could be stronger. Humans possess empathy, care, and compassion for one another. But the Alphas saw this as a weakness. Werewolves were bred to be vicious, cold, and calculated. This is how it’s been as far back as history goes. Any werewolf seen as being empathetic was killed immediately. It goes against everything they were made for. Annika’s parents, Lyra and Atlas, watched as she grew to walk and talk, and now being five years old, they started to notice something different about her. As she played with the other werewolf children in an open field just outside of their community, a boy running fell and hurt his leg and began to whimper. Most children would leave him to fend for himself as they learned the ways of their pack, but Annika ran to him, holding him in her arms, “Shh shh shh. It’s okay, I’ll help you.” Annika says with a comforting voice. As much as her parents were in awe of this act, this struck fear into their minds. Werewolves do not possess empathy; it is against their way of life. An empathetic werewolf made the pack weak, and the Alphas didn’t tolerate a weak werewolf, not even a pup. Her mother, Lyra, has long black hair that she always kept in a single braid that laid over her shoulder. She is short in stature and has dark green eyes and porcelain skin. Lyra is graceful and intelligent, but make no mistake, she is one of the clan’s strongest fighters. Her father, Atlas, is rugged in appearance. He stands tall, almost like a gentle giant. His hair is dark brown and always a bit shaggy, much like his short beard. Although he looks rough, his eyes are sincere and bright blue. He’s the clan’s best swordsman and tactical fighter. Even though he’s a dangerous warrior, he has a softer side for his wife and daughter. Everyone has a place and job in the clan. Lyra and Atlas have abilities that make them most valuable. After getting back to their home, Annika’s mother prepared rabbit stew for dinner, which was her family’s favorite. There were very little vegetables, which was the best part for Annika seeing as she hated them. As Annika sat at the table, her mother and father exchanged glances of worry as they watch their daughter inhale her food. Her mother clears her throat, “Annie, why did you help that boy today?” Annika looks up at her mother, her eyes gleaming with innocence. “I don’t know. I just felt he was scared and hurting. It felt like I could feel it, too. And I didn’t want him to feel that way anymore.” Annika went back to eating as her mother looked at her father with concern. “Looks like you’ve eaten every single bite, let’s get you in bed.” Her father says. They get up from the table and Annika walks to her mother, giving her a hug and kiss before heading to bed. Her father led her to her room and she climbed into bed. She’s tucked in, and her father gives her a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight my dear.” He whispers. As he is heading toward the bedroom door, he hears Annika’s tired little voice “Daddy?” “Yes dear?” he replied quietly. “Can you ask mom if we can have dear for dinner tomorrow?” she asks. Her father gently smiles, “Of course. Mom would be happy to make that happen for you.” As he leaves, he shuts the door. He walks into the kitchen, but Lyra is nowhere to be seen. As he walks around inside the house, he hears talking just outside the back door. Who could be there at this time of night? As he opens the back door, Lyra is seen speaking with another woman. The woman has on a dark cloak and her face is hidden by the hood, casting a shadow, concealing her identity. “What’s going on?” Atlas asks with a skeptical tone. Lyra looks at the woman and back at her husband, wondering how she’s going to explain this. Her breath shaking, “She’s here to help us with Annika. She saw what Annie did for that little boy and word of it got back to Alpha’s den. They know about her.” Atlas’s eyes widened, he became angry with the mystery woman and began hastily approach her. “You told them about our daughter?!” The mystery woman stepped back and put out her hand to get him to stop coming any closer. “No, I don’t consort with the Alpha’s or anyone who stands with them. I am here to offer her safety and to warn you that they are coming for her. Annika’s ability marked her as a threat to the clan's traditions. She is to be killed on the spot.” “Atlas, she can get Annika out of here and take her somewhere safe. She’s a rouge wolf, and there are others. They’re the Scarlet Sentinels, and they want to help.” Lyra pleases with him hoping he his anger will turn into much-needed relief. The mystery woman goes on to tell them the plan to take Annika far away where the Alpha’s will never find her. To place her amongst the humans and raise her as one of them. But they would need to leave now. Lyra looks to Atlas as if they are communicating amongst themselves. Atlas grabs the hand of his wife and tells the mystery woman of their decision. “We will be going with her. We are her parents, and it’s our job to protect her.” The mystery woman tells them to gather only what they can carry in their hands and no more. They will be starting a new life. Lyra and Atlas run into the house and the only thing they care to grab to take with them is their daughter who is fast asleep. Lyra opens Annika’s mouth and pours in a small vial. “What was that?” Atlas asked. Lyra assured him, “It’s just something to help keep her asleep so she doesn’t wake up and become scared. It should last until we get to where we’re going.” Atlas gently scoops Annika out of bed and they start heading to the back door to meet with the mystery woman. But as they make there way outside, they hear a deafening howl in the distance that stops them dead in their tracks. “It’s the Shadow Hunters, the Alphas are on their way. We have to go, now!” The mystery woman exclaims. Shadow Hunters are a group of wolves with abilities to track down and hunt. They are known for their stealth and relentless tracking abilities. But they are born with something extra. They have the power to become a shadow to sneak and hide in plain sight. The Alphas have trained these werewolves from the time they could walk to master this special trait. The mystery woman cuts the palm of her hand with a blade she unsheathed from beneath her cloak. “Take the blade and cut your hand, both of you!” Lyra and Atlas do so without question. The woman drips her blood into their wounds. “I was born with a special gift. I am undetectable by other werewolves, even the Shadow Hunters. This will only last until we get far enough, so we must be quick.” As they make their way into the tree line close by, they see several people in cloaks waiting for them. They are the rouge group of werewolves gathered to help them escape. They all walk through the woods, careful not to make any sounds. Finally, after what seemed like hours, they see an opening out of the woods with a car waiting. The mystery woman hands them the keys, a piece of paper, and a cell phone. “Get in and drive to this address. This will take you to a safe house that’s furnished and stocked with food. You have new last names, the Williams’. Everything is already taken care of, you just have to live like your lives before never existed. Keep Annika safe. She is very special.” Atlas places Annika in the backseat softly, making sure not to wake her. Lyra makes her way in the car on the passenger side. As Atlas opens the driver side door, he looks to the mystery woman, and with gratitude her nods to her, “Thank you, for everything.” The mystery woman places her hand on his shoulder and replies, “Thank me by doing what you have been told.” That was the last time they ever heard from them again. The drive there seemed like a blur. The relief of now being literally out of the woods rushed over them. Finally reaching their destination without a break, they pull into the driveway of their new home. As Lyra steps out of the car, she takes a moment to take in her new surroundings. Tall buildings peek through the trees in the distance. The faint sounds of a busy city are different from the quiet they've been accustomed to. They will have to learn to manage these senses as their werewolf abilities make every noise and smell heightened and quite overwhelming. Since Annika was only five years old when her parents made the transition, they safeguarded her from the memories of her werewolf heritage. She grew up believing she was a normal human, attending school, crafting hobbies, and building friendships with other children. Her parents worked tirelessly to ensure Annika had a fulfilling human life, providing her with opportunities often denied to werewolves. Opportunities like public school and friendships. Their new lives seemed to have made time fly by in a flash. Before they knew it, Annika was already grown up. Is this what it’s like to be human? Time felt slower back with the clan. But then again, they say “Time flies when you’re having fun.” And they very much enjoyed their new life. Annika's parents made sure to provide her with as normal human life as possible, shielding her from the dangers and complexities of the werewolf world. Despite her hidden nature, Annika seemed to thrive in the human world, embracing every aspect of her ordinary existence. She loved attending social events, where she could hang with friends and meet new people. She enjoyed exploring the busy city and discovering new restaurants, museums, and parks. And she pursued her passion for helping others with unwavering enthusiasm. She loved reading mystery books and writing her own stories inspired by them. She often volunteered for local attorney’s offices as a legal assistant, helping people who couldn’t afford an attorney. Annika excelled in her studies growing up and eventually landing a prestigious law degree and building a successful career as an attorney. She was passionate about justice and dedicated to protecting the vulnerable. She worked tirelessly, often staying late at the office, poring over case files and preparing for court. Despite her busy schedule, she loved spending time with her friends and parents. Annika's human life was a carefully constructed front, a delicate balance her parents made sure to maintain with great care. They knew that one misstep could expose who they really are, and her parents were determined to protect her at all costs. But they started noticing more and more things about Annika’s ability. Not only was her empathy strong, but she could literally feel what others were feeling. Sadness, anger, happiness, even physical pain. They didn’t know how much this ability could possibly grow. They were proud and scared at the same time. Annika is now a 25-year-old, striking petite woman, almost like a fairy or an elf. She has flowing raven black hair that she always loves to wear down and free. Her eyes, a deep shade of emerald green, hold a sense of mystery and intelligence but always look very sincere and caring. Her skin is pale as if never touched by the sun, with a slight rosy tint to her cheeks. She has a graceful and confident demeanor, and her beauty is both striking and understated. Her presence always brings a calming and safe feeling to anyone she is with. Annika's academic brilliance was evident from a young age. She excelled in her college courses, earning top grades with minimal effort. Her natural aptitude for law made her studies seem effortless. She breezed through law school, impressing her professors with her sharp intellect and keen understanding of legal principles. Annika’s exceptional academic achievements were a testament to her innate talent and unwavering dedication. After passing the bar exam, Annika started her legal career by handling smaller civil cases. She quickly developed a reputation for her sharp legal mind and unwavering dedication to her clients. As her experience grew, Annika transitioned to more complex corporate litigation cases, where she successfully defended family-owned businesses against powerful corporations. As Annika continued to impress her colleagues with her legal acumen and unwavering dedication, she was approached by a partner at Moonstone & Claw, a woman named Evelyn. Evelyn had been following Annika's career with interest, impressed by her skill and tenacity. Evelyn Pierce, a 40-year-old, light-skinned woman of color, exudes an air of poise and confidence that commands attention. Her tall, slender figure moves with the grace and agility of a lioness, her every step calculated and purposeful. Her dark, expressive eyes hold a hint of mischief and a keen intelligence. Evelyn's sleek black hair is often styled in a sophisticated up-do, further emphasizing her elegant demeanor. Despite her professional image, Evelyn possesses a warm and approachable personality. She is known for her sharp wit, her quick thinking, and her unwavering loyalty to her friends and colleagues. Evelyn is a force to be reckoned with, a woman who inspires admiration and respect but also fear. She I knew to be beautiful but deadly. "Annika, I've been watching you closely," Evelyn said. "You've exceeded all of our expectations. We would like to offer you a place at Moonstone & Claw." Annika was overwhelmed with emotion. She had only recently joined the firm, and this was a dream come true. "Thank you," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'm honored." Evelyn smiled. "You deserve it, Annika. You're a rising star in the legal world. I have no doubts that you will be an amazing addition to our firm." Annika believed she could make a real difference. The cases she will be getting would be more challenging than ever, but she was ready to face them with a smile on her face. With the support of her colleagues at Moonstone & Claw, she will have the greatest resources to fight bigger battles now.