RISE OF FORSAKEN LUNA

"You have veers too far from the road, young one."

The remarks seem to be echoing from everywhere and nowhere at once. As I turned to face the dark figure that had entered the clearing, my breath seized in my throat. Its silver eyes gleamed like twin moons, and its presence radiated an unearthly quiet that caused my wolf shudder.

" Who are you? I demanded, my voice quivering but forceful.

Dax moved defensively in front of me, his dagger glinting in the moonlight. He hissed, "Back off," his wolf emerging barely under his flesh.

The figure slanted its head and wore a strange smile on its lips. "Still so quick to fight, even if you should be listening."

The figure moved closer, the lines of reality blurring as the trees surrounding us started to glitter. My body stopped, an invisible power guiding me to that point. Dax said something, but his voice was muffled—as though he were speaking underwater.

Then silence descended upon everything.

The earth around me vanished, replaced by a great swath of glittering light and stars. My heart thumping in my chest, I stood alone, hung in the nothingness.

"Zaia,"

Now the voice was gentler, somewhat comforting. Turning to find a woman in front of me, her presence was both peaceful and overpowering. Her hair flowed like melted silver, her skin blazing with ethereal brightness.

I said, "The Moon Goddess," knees buckling.

"Rise, child," she urged, her voice both soft and strong. You ask questions; I have responses.

Shaking, the weight of her stare down on me, I asked, "Why did you let this happen to me? Why did you let him turn down me? {{{

Her face softened and her eyes glistened with something like melancholy. "Zaia, you selected not a route carelessly. Your suffering was essential to waking your strength.

I tightened my hands, resentment boiling under my terror. "Strength?" You define this strength as such? I was thrown out and embarrassed—"

You still stand, she said, her voice strong. "You do not see?" You are not only Zaia, a Luna. You are the abandoned Luna meant to bring fractured pieces together.

Her comments made me shiver down my back. "What would you mean?" Join what?

" Packs at war, rogues thrown aside, and magic twisted for sinister uses—the wolves of this world are broken. The secret to bringing them together is you, young person. Your trip will not be simple, though.

She raised a hand, and the stars surrounding us spun into forms—wolves battling, packs ripped apart, a dark figure standing at the middle of the anarchy.

"You have to hunt the truth, Zaia. Though it is not severed, darkness has poisoned your link with your friend. You can only find the truths endangering not only your pack but all wolves by facing this darkness.

I shook my head, the weight of her comments too great. "I find not clear. What dark? What hidden knowledge?"

The Goddess moved forward, her radiance around me. "You will find the answers where the moon meets the sea. Be advised, though, that people closest to you might not be what they seem.

I felt an icy fear sink into my chest as her eyes seemed to cut through me. "What are you claiming?" Who can I believe in?""

"That, kid," she replied, her voice wavering, "is for you to decide.

The stars broke up, and I returned to the clearing gasping for breath as though I had been drowning. Dax was knelt next to me, his hands clutching my shoulders.

Zahia! His eyes wide with concern, his voice was erratic. "What went on?" You only fell.

Blinking and trying to concentrate, I "I... I saw her. the goddess of the Moon. She addressed me.

Standing at a distance, the scout moved forward with a dubious look. " The Goddess?" Say what she said. —

I hesitated, the warning of the Goddess resounding in my head. "She said... I have to locate the truth. That the bond poisons rather than breaks.

Dax's jaw tightened, his face darkened. What else?"

"She said the water and the moon meet in the responses. And... I hesitated, looking at him. "She said I cannot trust everyone."

Dax's eyes closed. And what exactly is meant to imply? \\"

"I'm not sure," I said, irritation teping into my voice. She was unsure. She seemed to be implying, though, that there is more to all of this—that Sebastian's rejection was not the whole story.

The scout laughed at it. Of course, it is not the whole story. The Alpha was under considerable strain. He—"'

I cut him off, "don't," snapping. "Don't try to justify for him."

Dax moved forward, his voice low. She is correct. Here more is happening than just a rejection. And you would better start listening if the Moon Goddess is sending you messages.

Unspoken tension charged the air between us. I watched Dax's eyes flutter with uncertainty for the first time, as though he questioned whether he was the one the Goddess cautioned me about.

"I'm listening," I said at last. I am not, however, going to mindlessly believe anyone either. Not anymore."

Dax nodded slowly, though his expression remained guarded. "Good. Just don't forget who's saved your life—twice now."

The scout snorted. "And don't forget who came looking for you when no one else did."

I sighed, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. "This isn't a competition. Right now, we need to figure out what the Goddess's message means—and how to stay alive long enough to do something about it."

As if on cue, a piercing howl echoed through the forest, sending a chill down my spine.

Dax's expression darkened, his hand tightening on his dagger. "Looks like we're out of time for figuring things out."

The scout shifted nervously. "What now?"

Dax's gaze locked onto mine, his voice steady but grim. "Now, we run. And hope the Goddess's warning wasn't too late."