MOONBOUND: THE CURSE OF BLACKWOOD

THE PHOTOGRAPH

Maya couldn't move.

She stared at the words written on the back of the photograph.

THE ALPHA'S DAUGHTER.

Her hands trembled.

"Daniel..."

Her brother wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Tell me this isn't true."

Daniel remained silent.

Maya turned toward Ethan.

"You knew."

Ethan's expression softened.

"I suspected."

"You suspected?"

Maya's voice rose.

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't have proof."

Maya looked back at the photograph.

The baby in her mother's arms was unmistakably her.

But the man standing beside her mother was Adrian.

The Alpha.

"Then who is my father?"

Daniel finally spoke.

"That's what Mom spent years trying to discover."

Maya stared at him.

"You don't know?"

"No."

A sudden noise came from outside.

Selene looked toward the window.

"Someone's coming."

Everyone became silent.

Footsteps approached the cabin.

Then the door opened.

Adrian stood there alone.

Maya immediately stepped forward.

"Am I your daughter?"

Adrian looked at her.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he nodded.

"Yes."

Maya's heart pounded.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because your mother wanted you to have a normal life."

"And now?"

"Now the truth can no longer be hidden."

Maya looked at Ethan.

"Does the pack know?"

Adrian nodded.

"They have been waiting for you."

Maya shook her head.

"I'm not joining your pack."

Adrian didn't argue.

"That choice belongs to you."

Maya was surprised.

"But there's something you must know."

Adrian stepped closer.

"The Hunters aren't the only danger."

"What do you mean?"

"There is another Alpha."

Ethan immediately looked at him.

"Impossible."

Adrian's expression became serious.

"He was banished many years ago."

Selene whispered, "The Shadow Alpha."

Adrian nodded.

"He has been searching for the Moonborn."

Maya felt a chill.

"Why?"

"Because your blood can give him something no werewolf has ever possessed."

"What?"

"Control over every wolf in Blackwood."

Silence filled the cabin.

Then a howl came from the forest.

Adrian looked toward the trees.

"He knows you've awakened."

Maya tightened her grip on the photograph.

"Then what do we do?"

Ethan stepped beside her.

"We stay together."

Adrian looked at Ethan.

For once, he didn't object.

Outside, the wolves began howling.

But one howl was different.

It was deeper.

Colder.

And much closer.

Adrian's eyes turned gold.

"The Shadow Alpha has arrived."

TO BE CONTINUED...