Blood Hound Eclipse

1. The Beginning Of Horror

Senior year was supposed to be simple—until I broke every rule I made to survive it.

I had just four rules for surviving senior year:

1. Smile—fake it if you have to.

2. Look flawless. No excuses.

3. Avoid Noah Carson.

4. Never—ever—enter Black Vine Forest.

Tonight, I’m breaking Rule No. 4.

Not just stepping into Black Vine Forest.

I’m throwing my eighteenth birthday party there.

I stare at my reflection and smirk.

Curls? Perfect.

Lip gloss? On point.

Outfit? Flawless.

I sling my crossbody bag over my shoulder and give myself a final once-over.

Nailed it.

Halfway to the door, something flickers—

a flash. I freeze.

There—again. My eyes glow gold. What the hell?

Not hazel. Not brown.

Gold.

I step back toward the mirror, heart skipping.

Blink. Nothing.

Just my usual clear blue eyes.

I inch closer, heart pounding, breath caught.

I search for the flicker—anything.

But all I see are my blue eyes.

Totally normal. Nothing crazy—like it should be.

I mean, turning eighteen doesn’t unlock ancient powers… right?

It must be the sunlight. That’s all. I forgot to pull the drapes.

The angle must’ve hit just right. Mirrors are weird like that with all the reflections.

I roll my eyes and turn away. Maybe I’ve been reading too many fantasy books.

For a second, I thought something magical was about to happen—because I turned eighteen.

But something tugs low in my stomach.

The kind of feeling you get when someone’s watching you.

I know that feeling.

Because I’ve spent the last five years being watched by Noah Carson.

Hence, Rule No. 3.

He never blinks. Just stares—like I’m some kind of science project. Even when I catch him. Every. Single. Time.

I shake it off. Nerves. Just nerves.

Probably because I’m throwing a party in the middle of the freaking woods.

This year’s motivation: face my fears.

Which is why I’m doing the one thing my parents warned me never to do—

Step into Black Vine Forest.

I never asked why it was off-limits. My parents just made it sound... final.

Maybe wild animals. Or worse.

But Kelvin says he found this spot with a lake. Moonlit, secluded, epic.

I let him plan the whole thing.

Kelvin Gates, football captain with the jawline of a YA book cover.. Blonde hair, stormy gray eyes, and that stupid dimple that gets him out of trouble with every teacher.

Also, my boyfriend. Somehow.

My favorite part of him?

Those cute, pouty lips I’ve kissed more times than I can count.

My phone buzzes.

Morgana: I’m outside, babe.

I grab my stuff and head down.

Mom’s voice drifts up from the living room.

“How do we break the news to her? We can’t delay it anymore.”

I freeze.

Dad’s voice is heavier. “It has to be tonight.”

What now?

I descend slowly. Mom spots me first.

“Morning, Mom.”

“Raven,” she says carefully. “How are you feeling?”

“Normal.” I shrug. “Not because I’m eighteen. It’s just Wednesday.”

Her face tightens. “It’s the full moon.”

I blink. “Cool. Werewolves coming out tonight?”

Mom and Dad exchange a look.

Mom opens her mouth, then falters, voice barely above a whisper:

“Raven, you’re not—”

Dad’s hand gently covers hers. His voice soft but firm:

“Honey, take it slow. We’ll explain everything when you’re ready.”

That look.

“Wait.” I lift a brow. “Is ‘full moon’ code for something? Like a weird parental warning?”

Mom opens her mouth, but Dad cuts in—low, serious.

“There’s something we need to tell you, Raven.”

Could it mean something like... a day I could get pregnant if I do the deeds?

I smirk, rolling with it. “Come on, Mom. You don’t have to be so outdated. If you’re worried about me sleeping with a dude...” I pause, giving her a reassuring smile, “I won’t.”

"That's not what we are worried about, Raven."

His voice doesn't match my mood. At all.

My phone buzzes again. I glance at it, then tuck it back into my pocket.

“I really gotta go. Morgana’s outside.”

Mom turns to Dad. “What do you think?”

I roll my eyes. “You two are acting like I turned into a pumpkin or something.”

I wonder what they are being so nervous about. I only turned eighteen, not the end of the world.

"What about your birthday party?"

Dad watches me. I let off a shallow breath, making sure Dad doesn't notice.

"I'm not up for a party."

"Really?"

Mom perks up. The crease lines on her forehead loosen. This seems serious.

"Yeah."

I almost wince for lying to my parents. They are pretty supportive but would freak out if I tell them where I'm throwing my eighteenth birthday—the Black Vine Forest.

Mom softens. “So you’re coming straight home after school?”

My chest tightens, but I manage to force out a tight smile.

I'm already backing away. "Of course. But I got to go now."

Blowing my parents a kiss, I hurried to the door. If I stay a moment longer, I may be forced to spill the truth. Kevin has put in so much effort, I can't back out now.

"Be careful," my mom calls behind me as I shut the door.

My mom is worried about my safety, and I'm about to throw a party in the middle of the woods.

My eyes drifts back to mom. They’re hiding something. I don’t know what—but tonight, I’m not thinking about it. Just this party. Just turning eighteen.

Morgana leans across the passenger seat as soon as I slide into her beat-up Jeep.

The scent of coconut shampoo hits me before I even shut the door. Her hair’s up in a shiny ponytail, freckles scattered beneath light makeup—effortless, as always.

"Happy birthday, Goblin" she grins.

I snort. "Thanks, Banshee."

"Stop calling me a Banshee." Her glare is weak at best. I pull on the seatbelt, unfazed.

"You called me a Banshee first."

She tosses a crumpled sheet of paper onto my lap—handwriting barely legible. Typical Morgana.

"Girl, you look hot!" she squeals like she’s just seeing me—like we didn’t FaceTime an hour ago.

What’s this?” I ask, unfolding the paper as the engine coughs to life.

Morgana smirks, pulling onto the road like she’s about to commit a felony and love every second of it.

"That’s the list of everything we’re going to get done tonight."

"Wow. Isn’t this... too much?"

I scan the scribbled words: Games, Dance.

My eyes catch the last line. “Soak in the lake too?”

“Yeah. It’s your eighteenth birthday. We’re going full chaos mode.”

I toss the paper into her lap with a groan. “I’m already breaking a major rule—entering the woods. That’s lit enough.”

Her lips twitch, amused. “What are your parents actually afraid of, anyway? Last I heard, they think the woods are on fire or something.”

I roll my eyes. “Not fire. They’re paranoid about… you know, the usual—getting lost, creepy stuff, weird accidents.”

Morgana snorts. “Please. It’s the woods, not a haunted forest. You’re fine. Besides, tonight’s about living a little.”

“Of course, Raven. That’s the spirit.”

“Cheers,” I mutter, eyes drifting to the window. Guilt twists in my chest like vines.

“You sure Kelvin handled everything?” Morgana asks, casual but sharp.

“Yup. Lights, drinks, speakers. He even bribed one of the soccer guys to DJ.”

She whistles. “If he really pulled it off, I’ll eat my lip gloss.”

I almost laugh. Morgana and Kelvin are oil and water. She swears he’s a poser, a fake Prince Charming with just enough dimples to fool the masses.

"Come on, just get along with him. For me."

"Whatever, babe."

The Jeep hums beneath us. We’re five minutes from school and my heart’s already racing.

Morgana drums her fingers on the wheel. “Kai’s been acting weird lately,” she says suddenly.

Kai. Our other best friend. Drama kid. Comic nerd. Emotional support goblin for Morgana and me—the only guy I trust with my secret.

“Weird?” I glance at her, brow raised.

“Yeah. He said his eyes change color. To black.”

Eyes change color.

My memory flickers—back to earlier. That moment in the mirror. The flash of gold.

But black? That’s... something else entirely.

“Black?” I echo slowly.

Morgana snorts. “That boy is getting into something. Probably drugs. It’s messing with his head.”

She pulls into the school parking lot, and we hop out.

My eyes land on a board with beautifully written words—and a pair of beautiful eyes staring at me.

"Kelvin!" I squeal, running into his arms.

"Hey, baby." He manages to engulf me in a bear hug, despite having his hands full. "You look great."

I laugh, pulling away. My eyes catch a lipstick mark on his shirt.

Did I do that?

"Hold on—let me clean this."

I hurriedly fish out my kerchief and wipe off the stain.

"Thanks, babe." He smiles, handing me a bouquet of roses.

"These are beautiful."

"Just like you." He chuckles.

I collect the birthday board too. Sweet and thoughtful.

"Thanks, babe."

That's when I finally notice Morgana. She doesn’t seem to be enjoying the display.

"I'll see you in class, Raven."

I turn to Kelvin as she begins to walk off.

"We’ll talk later—let me head to class now."

He nods, clearly understanding the situation with Morgana. I drop a light peck across his cheek and rush after her.

"Hey, wait up!" I shout.

Morgana pauses. "Finally."

"Hi Miss Raven, happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday, Senior!"

"You look gorgeous, Seniors!"

The freshmen greet us as they pass. I smile at all of them before turning my attention back to Morgana.

"Why do you hate Kelvin so much?" I ask.

She just stares. I wait for her explanation—but nothing.

Her phone dings. She groans, pulls it out, and mutters, “Ugh. Kai is still losing it.”

She scrolls, then holds the screen toward me with a deadpan look.

I told you, Morgana. Werewolves are freaking real. And so is magic.

I laugh—at first. But the words stick. My smile fades.

Werewolves.

Magic.

A chill creeps up my spine.

“Okay, he’s officially lost it,” Morgana says. “I love the i***t, but if he sends one more voice note about magic and glowing eyes, I’m blocking him till next year.”

I don’t answer.

Because suddenly, I can’t breathe.

Glowing eyes.

The mirror. This morning. The flicker of gold in mine.

Was it really the sun?

Morgana keeps talking, but her voice fades.

Her phone dings again.

I hear her sigh—more like a forced growl.

"Kai’s messing with us,” she mutters—but then her brow furrows just a little, like she’s not fully sure.

“What kind of drugs is he high on."

My gaze drifts to her screen.

My head tilts as I read the message:

Something is coming for us.—Kai.