La Luna

The Wood

In the distant forests of Crescent Wood, Conall’s people lived in harmony.

Peaceful.

Prosperous.

Bound together by love.

A place where warmth and love lingered in the air.

Things were going well for the werewolf packs. With proper governance, they lived a life of peace and prosperity, doing what they always did. But today was different.

Pups were still playing, while the mothers cooked a large amount of food—potatoes, warm soup, and other tasty dishes. Meanwhile, the rest of the village prepared for the evening’s festivities.

Everyone was busy. Everyone, except Conall.

He remained in the heart of the forest, arranging logs and woven vines that would serve as his resting place later, once fatigue took over his body.

A familiar voice suddenly broke the quiet peace.

“You really aren’t coming with us?” Tala asked, a teasing grin tugging at her lips. “There’s going to be so much happening tonight.”

Conall chuckled softly without looking up.

“Give me a break, Tala. You know I’ve been preparing myself for what’s coming.”

She nodded, though curiosity lingered in her eyes.

“I know, but… what exactly is supposed to happen when the Red Moon rises?”

Conall paused.

The question lingered between them like a whisper carried by the wind.

“The elders say that’s when my true power and form will finally awaken,” Conall said, still arranging and piling wood. “My strength will be fully awakened, and it will be shared among other alphas, making our lineage stronger than ever.”

Tala’s eyes sparkled, as though that strength had already reached her.

“That would be great for us.”

Conall smirked softly.

“But there’s a cost. If I fail to endure the transformation, it will kill me… and the wolf race may vanish with me.”

Tala’s smile faded.

“What? You’re pushing your body through all of this and yet—” She stopped herself, shaking her head.

“No… I know you can do it. And you will.”

She tried to smile sweetly, but it came out bitter.

“But that’s a terrifying responsibility.”

She folded her arms.

“I mean, you have to go through all of that, and even if you survive, your duty still isn’t over.”

Conall finally smiled—a quiet, genuine smile.

“It’s alright.”

His gaze drifted toward the village hidden among the trees.

“When I look around and see everyone living here… I think it’s worth it.”

“But—”

Conall cut her off gently before she could continue.

“I know,” he nodded. “But I believe that if you stood where I stand, you would do the same. Not because you are forced to, but because of your love for our tribe.”

Tala smiled softly.

“I hope I can also sacrifice for our pack.”

Conall was about to respond when they heard the shout of Tala’s father, Alaric.

Tala ran toward him, and they both waved before leaving.

As night descended upon Crescent Wood, the laughter and warmth that filled the forest slowly gave way to something… quieter. Wilder. Older.

The howls of werewolves echoed beneath the heavens.

Thick silver mist curled between the ancient trees, while countless stars glittered above, surrounding a moon that seemed to patiently await its full transformation.

Conall stood alone.

Preparing.

Waiting.

The night both races had long anticipated was drawing closer with every passing breath.

He needed to become stronger—stronger than ever before.

Because he had no idea what awaited him when destiny finally came knocking.

Unlike the rest of his kin, Conall was different.

Ordinary werewolves could shift between human and wolf form with little effort. To them, transformation was as natural as breathing.

But not for Conall.

His true transformation could only occur on the destined night—the night his dormant power awakened, and the night he would discover who he truly was.

While others celebrated beneath the moonlit sky, Conall remained hidden in the deepest part of the forest.

He lifted massive stones. Dragged fallen trees. Ran until his lungs burned and his legs threatened to collapse.

Day after day. Night after night.

He knew nothing but training, preparation, and sacrifice.

Then suddenly—

A cold wind swept through the forest.

And with it came fire.

Not real flames. Something far worse.

A searing heat exploded beneath his skin.

Burning. Blazing. Scorching.

As though molten lava had replaced the blood in his veins.

No one knew why. Not even him.

Then he saw someone.

Not far away.

Hidden among the shadows.

A man.

A stranger.

His body twisted in agony, as though he too was suffering the same unbearable pain.

For a brief moment, it felt as if they were connected by it.

Yet the darkness concealed the stranger’s face.

Conall couldn’t make out a single feature—only his silhouette, only his suffering.

Then moonlight touched Conall’s skin.

The instant silver light brushed against him, pain ripped through his body like lightning.

His eyes squeezed shut. A howl tore from his throat.

The agony doubled.

No—tripled.

Veins surfaced beneath his skin, crawling across his arms and legs like dark roots breaking through flesh.

Every nerve in his body screamed.

When he finally opened his eyes again, the mysterious figure was gone.

Vanished.

As though he had never existed.

Slowly, mercifully, the pain began to fade.

“Conall!”

Tala’s voice shattered the silence.

Moments later, she and several others emerged from the trees.

“What happened to you?” his father demanded, concern etched across his face. “Why were you howling?”

As Conall stepped out from the darkness, the entire tribe fell silent.

Their eyes settled on their Chosen One.

Sweat drenched his body. His breathing was uneven. His exhaustion impossible to hide.

Fear flickered across every face.

No one understood what had happened—least of all Conall himself.

Was this the first sign?

A warning that the day destined to change the fate of both races was finally approaching?

He didn’t know.

But one thing was certain—the pain had been unbearable.

“Conall?” his mother asked gently. “What happened?”

He shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

His voice came out weaker than expected.

“But I felt… a burning sensation.”

The moonlight spilled across the forest floor.

The wind stirred once more.

And this time, it carried something with it.

A scent.

Strange.

Unfamiliar.

Rotten.

Dangerous.

Conall wasn’t the only one who noticed. The Alphas did too.

Their expressions darkened instantly.

“Everyone, return to your homes.”

The command came from Conall’s father—the Alpha Leader himself.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Confusion. Questions. Unease.

The celebration had barely begun. Why end it now?

“I’m sorry,” Conall said, addressing the gathered wolves.

His voice rose above the whispers.

“I know tonight was supposed to be a celebration.”

He lifted his gaze toward the restless trees.

“But the wind is telling me something.”

Silence followed.

“And I have a feeling it carries danger.”

The wolves exchanged uneasy glances. They did not know what was happening.

Yet because they trusted Conall more than anyone, they obeyed.

One by one, they disappeared into their homes.

Later that night, even within the comfort of their small house, the unease refused to leave.

Conall could feel it radiating from his father—like a storm gathering behind calm skies.

“Get some rest, Conall,” his mother said gently.

He nodded and walked toward his room.

But before he could close the door, he heard his parents speaking in hushed voices.

Curiosity rooted him in place.

Quietly, he listened.

“I sensed something unusual in the wind tonight,” his father began.

“Let’s not dwell on it yet,” his mother replied.

But the Alpha shook his head.

“No.”

His voice carried a gravity Conall had never heard before.

“I’ve felt that same wind once before.”

He rose from his chair and stared out the window toward the moon.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then—

“The last time I felt it…”

His jaw tightened.

“…our enemies attacked.”

The room fell silent.

“It was the same wind that arrived before two races descended upon us. The same wind that heralded bloodshed.”

Pain flickered through his eyes.

“It nearly destroyed our people.”

Behind the door, Conall’s breath caught.

A war?

Was that what his father meant?

But against whom?

Who could possibly threaten them?

He had spent his entire life believing the world was kind, believing peace was natural, believing his people had always lived safely.

He never knew there had once been a darkness so great it nearly erased their race.

And for the first time in his life—

Conall began to wonder.

Would the truth of the past ignite hatred in his heart and drive him toward war for the sake of his people?

Or would it become the key that revealed a deeper truth—one powerful enough to challenge everything he had ever believed about good, evil, and the fate that awaited them all?