RISE OF THE SILVER LUNA

The wind howled through the trees like a warning carried by the night itself. Liora Vale tightened her coat around her body as she hurried along the narrow forest path behind her grandmother’s house. The cold air bit against her skin, but that wasn’t what unsettled her. It was the feeling crawling beneath her flesh—the strange heat spreading through her veins every time the full moon appeared. Tonight, it burned stronger than ever. She stopped walking. A sharp pain struck her chest. Liora grabbed the nearest tree for support, breathing heavily as another wave hit her body. Her heartbeat pounded violently in her ears. “What is happening to me?” she whispered. For weeks, the nightmares had grown worse. Silver eyes watching her from the darkness. A voice calling her name. Blood staining snow beneath a glowing moon. And always the same symbol appearing in her dreams a crescent moon marked with silver flames. A sudden growl echoed through the forest. Liora froze. The sound was low, animalistic… dangerous. Slowly, she turned toward the shadows between the trees. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw movement. Something massive stepped forward. A wolf. No… bigger than a wolf. Its dark fur blended into the night, but its glowing golden eyes locked directly onto hers. The creature stared at her like it recognized her. Fear rooted Liora to the ground. The beast growled again, circling slowly. “Stay back,” she warned, though her voice trembled. The wolf suddenly lunged. Liora screamed and stumbled backward, expecting sharp claws to tear into her skin—but before the creature could reach her, another growl thundered through the forest. A second wolf crashed into the first. The two beasts slammed into the dirt violently, snarling and snapping at each other. Liora watched in horror as claws tore through fur and teeth flashed beneath the moonlight. Then she saw him. A man emerged from the shadows. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in black. His dark hair moved with the wind as cold gray eyes settled on her face. There was something terrifying about the way he stood—calm in the middle of chaos. Power radiated from him. The wolves instantly stopped fighting. One whimpered and retreated into the trees. The other lowered its head obediently. Liora’s pulse quickened. The man walked toward her slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. Every instinct screamed at her to run, yet her feet refused to move. When he finally stood before her, the air itself seemed heavier. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said coldly. His voice was deep and commanding. Liora swallowed hard. “I-I could say the same thing to you.” For a brief second, amusement flickered across his face before disappearing completely. Then his expression darkened. He reached toward her neck. Liora stepped back immediately. “Don’t touch me.” But he grabbed her wrist before she could move farther away. The moment his skin touched hers, pain exploded through her body. A silver glow burst beneath her skin like lightning trapped inside her veins. The man’s eyes widened. Shock crossed his face for the first time. Impossible,” he muttered. Liora cried out as the strange energy spread through her chest. Images flashed rapidly inside her mind. A throne made of silver bones. Wolves bowing. A crown stained with blood. Then A pair of glowing red eyes opening in darkness. The vision vanished instantly. Liora collapsed to her knees, gasping for air. The man crouched beside her, gripping her chin firmly as he studied her face. “Who are you?” she whispered weakly. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then the wolves nearby lowered themselves to the ground as if bowing to him. Fear twisted inside her stomach. Because suddenly, she understood. This man wasn’t ordinary. He was their leader. “My name is Kael Draven,” he finally said. “Alpha of the Nightfang Pack.” Liora stared at him in disbelief. Alpha? Pack? This had to be insane. “There’s no such thing as werewolves,” she said shakily. Kael’s expression remained emotionless. “You saw them with your own eyes.” Liora opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. Deep down, she knew he was telling the truth. The wolves. The glowing eyes. The impossible strength. And whatever was happening inside her body. Kael suddenly looked toward the moon. His jaw tightened. “They found you sooner than I expected.” “Who found me?” Before he could answer, a terrifying howl echoed across the forest. Not one wolf. Several. Kael cursed under his breath. The wolves beside him immediately became alert. Liora’s fear returned full force. “What’s happening?” Kael looked back at her, his gray eyes colder than the winter air. “They know the Silver Luna has awakened.” The words sent chills through her entire body. Silver Luna. The name from her dreams. “No…” she whispered. Kael stepped closer. “You don’t understand yet,” he said quietly. “But from this night forward, your life no longer belongs to you.” Another howl ripped through the darkness. Closer this time. Kael extended his hand toward her. “Choose quickly, Liora,” he said. “Come with me… or die here tonight.”