THE HEIRESS BENEATH FIVE MOONS

CHAPTER ONE: THE GIRL THE FOREST RECOGNIZED

Goldiana had always been warned never to enter the forest after sunset. Not because the villagers knew exactly what lived beyond the old stone boundary, but because nobody who had wandered too deeply into the woods ever came back with the same story.

Some spoke of strange shadows between the trees. Others claimed they had heard voices calling their names when no one was there.

The oldest villagers simply refused to talk about the forest at all. Goldiana had never understood why. To her, it had always been just a forest. Until that evening. She stood beneath an ancient oak, staring at the narrow path ahead while the last traces of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains. Her basket rested at her feet, forgotten.

She had only come to collect a few herbs for her mother, but something had caught her attention on the way back. A sound. Soft. Almost like an injured animal crying somewhere among the trees. She should have ignored it. Instead, she had followed it.

Now the forest was silent. Too silent. Goldiana slowly picked up her basket. “Hello?” Her voice sounded strangely small. Nothing answered. She took another step. A twig snapped behind her. She turned quickly. Nothing. Her heart began to beat faster. “Very funny,” she muttered, though she knew perfectly well nobody from the village would be foolish enough to follow her here.

Another sound came from the darkness. A low growl. Goldiana froze. Two golden eyes appeared between the trees. She couldn't breathe.

A wolf stepped into the moonlight. It was enormous. Its fur was a strange mixture of black and silver, and its eyes were unlike any wolf she had ever seen.

It didn't look frightened of her. It didn't look hungry either. It simply stared. Goldiana took a careful step backward. The wolf followed. She took another. It followed again. “Please,” she whispered, “just stay there.” The wolf lowered its head. Its lips pulled back slightly, revealing sharp teeth.

Goldiana's heart slammed against her ribs. She wanted to run, but something about the creature kept her still. Then a strange warmth spread across her upper thigh. Goldiana gasped and pressed her hand against the place beneath her dress where the birthmark had always rested.

The mark had never hurt before. It was simply a beautiful golden crescent surrounded by tiny star-like shapes, something she had carried since birth. But now it felt as though a small flame had been placed beneath her skin.

The wolf suddenly stopped growling. Its ears lifted. Its golden eyes moved toward the place where her hand rested. Goldiana looked at it suspiciously. “What?” The wolf took one slow step forward. Then another. Goldiana pressed herself against the tree.

But instead of attacking, the creature lowered its head until its nose almost touched the ground. It bowed. Goldiana stared. “What are you doing?” The wolf remained there for several seconds before raising its head again.

Then it turned sharply toward the darkness behind her. A howl echoed through the trees. Another answered. Then another. Goldiana's blood ran cold. More eyes appeared between the trees. She counted five. Then ten. Then she stopped counting. The enormous wolf moved between her and the others.

A protective growl rolled from its chest. Goldiana whispered, “Why are you protecting me?” She received no answer. The creatures suddenly rushed forward. The forest exploded into movement. Goldiana screamed and covered her head as the wolves collided around her. She heard snarling, branches breaking and the pounding of paws against the earth.

One of the creatures broke away from the fight and lunged toward her. Goldiana threw up her hands without thinking. Something answered her fear. A flash of golden light burst from her body. The creature was thrown backward. Goldiana fell to her knees.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. She stared at her hands. “What…” Her fingers trembled. A faint golden glow disappeared beneath her skin. She looked around. Every wolf had stopped fighting. They were all staring at her. Then, slowly, they lowered their heads. Goldiana's fear was replaced by confusion. “Why are you doing that?”

“That's a very good question.” A male voice came from behind her. Goldiana spun around. A boy stood several feet away between two trees. He looked around her age, perhaps a little older. Dark hair fell across his forehead, and his clothes were marked with dirt as though he had been traveling through the forest for hours.

He wasn't carrying a visible weapon. Yet the wolves didn't attack him. He looked at them first, then at Goldiana. “Are you hurt?” Goldiana immediately stepped backward. “Who are you?” “I asked first.” “I don't care.” The boy raised an eyebrow. “You're brave.” “I'm scared.” “I noticed.” Despite everything, Goldiana almost smiled. Almost. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Looking for something.” His eyes briefly moved toward the wolves. “I found something else instead.” Goldiana didn't like the way he said it. “What does that mean?” “Nothing.” “You're terrible at lying.” The boy gave a quiet laugh. “And you're terrible at staying out of dangerous places.” “I was looking for herbs.” “At night?” “I lost track of time.” “Convenient.” Goldiana crossed her arms. “If you're going to keep questioning me, at least tell me your name.” He hesitated for half a second. “Orion.” The name felt strangely familiar to her, though she couldn't understand why. “Goldiana,” she replied.The moment she said her name, something changed in Orion's expression. It was subtle, but she noticed. His eyes widened for the briefest moment before he looked away. “What?” she asked. “Nothing.” “You did something.” “I didn't.” “You looked surprised.” Orion glanced toward the wolf. “Maybe I was surprised that you're still alive.” Goldiana frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?” He didn't answer. Instead, he looked toward the sky. Goldiana followed his gaze.

The moon was unusually bright tonight. For a moment, she thought she saw another pale shape beside it. She blinked. It was gone. “Did you see that?” she asked. Orion's expression had suddenly become serious. “See what?” “Nothing.” She wasn't sure why she lied. The forest seemed to be listening.

A cold wind swept through the trees. The wolves suddenly became restless. One of them lifted its head and sniffed the air. Orion noticed. “We should leave.” Goldiana looked at him. “Why?” “Because something is coming.” “What?” He didn't answer.

A distant sound rolled through the forest. Not a howl this time. A horn. Goldiana's stomach tightened. Another horn answered from farther away. Orion looked toward the eastern path. “People.” “Hunters?” “Maybe.” “Why would hunters be here at this time?” Orion's jaw tightened. “That's what I'd like to know.” Goldiana looked at the wolves. They had already begun retreating into the darkness. The enormous silver-black wolf remained behind for a moment, staring at her. Its eyes met hers. Something passed between them. Recognition. Warning. She couldn't explain it.

Then the wolf disappeared. Goldiana looked back at Orion. “You know something.” “Everyone knows something.” “That's not an answer.” “It's the only one you're getting tonight.” She frowned. “I don't trust you.” “Good.” He started walking. Goldiana didn't follow. After several steps, he stopped. “You should come.” “Why?” Orion looked over his shoulder. “Because those people aren't looking for wolves.” Goldiana's heart skipped. “Then what are they looking for?” His gaze dropped briefly toward her thigh. “I don't know.” The lie was obvious. “You're lying again.” “Probably.” He turned away. Goldiana hesitated.

She should have returned to the village. She knew that. Her mother would be worried. Her father would be furious. Yet the horns were getting closer, and something inside her told her that going home without understanding what had happened would be a mistake. She followed Orion. They had barely reached the edge of the trees when the clouds shifted. Goldiana stopped walking. Above them, the moonlight changed. One moon became two.

Then three. Orion turned around so quickly that she nearly walked into him. His face had gone pale. “What is it?” Goldiana whispered. He didn't answer. A fourth light appeared in the sky. Then a fifth. Goldiana stared upward, unable to understand what she was seeing. Five moons hung above the forest, each different from the others. Silver. Dark. Crimson. Pale. Blue. The sight should have been impossible, yet there they were. Goldiana felt the birthmark beneath her dress grow warm again. Orion noticed her expression. “What?” she asked. He shook his head. “Nothing.” “Don't lie to me.” “I'm not.” “Then tell me why you're staring at the sky like you've seen a ghost.” Orion looked at the five moons for another long moment. “Because I've seen them before.” Goldiana's heart began to race. “When?” He looked at her. “A long time ago.” “Where?” “In a story.” “What story?” Orion hesitated. “A story my family doesn't tell anymore.” Before Goldiana could ask another question, a sharp pain shot through her thigh. She cried out and grabbed the tree beside her. Orion moved toward her. “Goldiana.” “Don't touch me.” She looked down.

A faint golden light was visible beneath her dress. Orion stared at it. His face changed. He reached up slowly and touched the side of his neck. Goldiana saw it. A mark. A golden crescent surrounded by tiny stars. Her eyes widened. “You have one too.” Orion quickly covered it. “It's nothing.” “That's the same mark.” “No, it isn't.” “I saw it.” “You saw nothing.” Goldiana stared at him.

For some reason, his denial frightened her more than the wolves had. “Who are you really?” Orion didn't answer. Somewhere behind them, another horn sounded. Much closer. Then voices followed. Orion looked toward the village. “Go home.” “What?” “Go home, Goldiana.

Don't tell anyone about me. Don't tell anyone about the wolves. And whatever happens tonight…” He looked directly into her eyes. “Don't show anyone your birthmark.” Goldiana's chest tightened. “Why?” Orion stepped backward into the darkness. “Because if the wrong person sees it, they won't ask who you are.” He paused. “They'll already know.” Then he disappeared between the trees.Goldiana stood alone beneath the five impossible moons, listening to the sound of approaching horses. She looked down at her thigh.

The golden light had disappeared. Her birthmark looked ordinary again. Almost. She touched it carefully, her mind racing. Who was Orion? Why did he have the same mark? Why did the wolves recognize her? And why had five moons appeared in the sky tonight? She turned toward the village and started running.

She didn't see the figure watching her from the trees. She didn't see the silver-black wolf standing silently beside him. And she didn't hear the man's whispered words as he stared at the place where Goldiana had disappeared. “The mark has awakened.” The wolf growled softly.

The man looked toward the five moons. “After sixteen years.” He pulled his hood over his face. “They were right.” He turned away from the village. “The girl is alive.”