MOONBOUND: THE CURSE OF BLACKWOOD

THE ALPHA

The wolves emerged from the darkness one by one.

Maya stood beside Ethan, trying to remain calm.

At the back of the group stood a massive gray wolf.

Unlike the others, it didn't move.

It simply watched her.

Selene whispered, "That's him."

"The Alpha?" Maya asked.

Selene nodded.

Ethan stepped forward.

"Why are you here?"

The gray wolf slowly changed.

Within moments, a tall young man stood where the wolf had been.

His eyes were golden.

His expression was cold.

"My name is Adrian."

Ethan's jaw tightened.

"You shouldn't have come."

Adrian smiled.

"You knew this day would come."

Maya looked between them.

"You two know each other?"

"We were raised in the same pack," Ethan said.

Adrian looked at Maya.

"And now she has awakened."

Maya held up her marked hand.

"What do you want from me?"

"The Moonborn belongs with the wolves."

Maya shook her head.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"You don't understand what you are."

"Then explain it."

Adrian stepped closer.

"Your mother was the last Moonborn before you. She chose humans over wolves."

Maya's heart sank.

"What happened to her?"

Adrian didn't answer immediately.

Then he said quietly:

"She was betrayed."

Daniel stepped forward.

"That's enough."

Adrian looked at him.

"You know I'm telling the truth."

Maya turned toward Daniel.

"Is he?"

Daniel lowered his eyes.

Maya felt betrayed.

"Daniel?"

Before he could answer, Ethan stepped between them.

"Don't blame her."

Adrian laughed softly.

"You've always been protective of her."

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"Leave."

Adrian looked at Maya one final time.

"When the moon reaches its highest point, you'll have to choose."

"Choose what?"

"Humanity..."

He paused.

"...or the wolf."

The wolves turned and disappeared into the forest.

Maya watched them go.

Ethan remained beside her.

"You don't have to choose tonight."

Maya looked at him.

"What if I become a monster?"

Ethan shook his head.

"You won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know you."

Maya looked down.

For the first time since the strange events began, she felt less alone.

Then Daniel suddenly spoke.

"Maya..."

She turned.

He was holding another photograph.

"This is something your mother never wanted you to see."

Maya took it.

Her breath caught.

It showed her mother standing beside Adrian.

And in her mother's arms was a baby.

Maya.

But written on the back of the photograph were four words:

THE ALPHA'S DAUGHTER.

Maya stared at the message.

She slowly looked toward the forest.

"That's impossible."

Ethan's expression changed.

Because he knew the truth.

And he knew Maya wasn't ready to hear it.

TO BE CONTINUED...