The night air was heavy, charged with something that set Lyara's skin tingling. She tossed beneath her blankets, unable to sleep. The dreams had been sharper than ever—eyes of molten gold lingered even after she woke, whispering words she couldn't escape. She rose quietly and went to the window. Above the forest, the moon climbed high, glowing red like spilled wine. Her chest tightened.
The blood moon.
Behind her, Aunt Serenya's voice broke the silence. "You saw it." Lyara turned, startled, to see her aunt in the doorway. The older woman's face was pale, her eyes shadowed. "What does it mean?" Lyara asked. "Everyone whispers about curses and omens, but no one tells me the truth." Serenya's hand tightened on the doorframe. "Because the truth is dangerous, child. The blood moon marks the night when old powers stir, when things best left forgotten awaken." Before Lyara could respond, a sound drifted from the forest—a long, mournful howl that cut through the night. Her breath caught, and her skin prickled. Something deep inside her answered, though she could not explain why. Serenya grabbed her shoulders. "Stay inside, no matter what. Promise me." Lyara nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on the treeline. For just an instant, she swore she saw eyes staring back—glowing, golden, watching her from the shadows. Her breath hitched.
And then the whisper came again, curling through her mind like smoke.
"You are mine."
The next morning dawned clear, though the memory of the blood moon weighed heavily on Lyara's mind. She tried to push it away, attempting to be normal, and agreed when her friend Elira invited her to the farm at the edge of the woods. "Come on," Elira urged, tugging her along the dirt path. "We'll pick berries for my mother. Maybe it'll distract you from those stormy thoughts of yours." The fields stretched open and golden, the forest looming dark and endless nearby. They picked in silence at first, the only sounds being the chatter of birds and the rustle of leaves.
Then Elira smirked. "I'll check for better bushes deeper in," she said, darting toward the treeline.
"Elira, wait! Don't…"
A scream tore through the air. Lyara's basket dropped as she sprinted toward the sound, her heart thundering. She crashed through the brush, branches clawing at her arms—only to find Elira doubled over with laughter. "Did you see your face?" Elira gasped. "Oh, Lyara, you nearly fainted!"
Lyara's chest heaved, fear turning into anger. "That wasn't funny! I thought—" her voice broke. "I thought you were in real danger." Elira's grin faltered. "I'm sorry. Truly. I didn't mean it like that." But shadows were already lengthening. Lyara cast a wary glance at the forest. "Let's just go home." They turned back toward the fields. The sun sank low, spilling red light across the horizon, accompanied by the heavy rustle of undergrowth.The bear emerged before them, massive and fierce, its growl rattling the air. "Run!" Elira cried.
They bolted, skirts flying, the ground shaking under the beast's charge. Lyara's foot snagged on a root—she tumbled hard, pain jolting through her ankle. She cried out, clutching her leg.
"Lyara!"
Elira hesitated only a moment before rushing back, dragging her up. "Come on!"
But the bear was already upon them, paw raised high to strike. Lyara froze, terror rooting her in place.
Then the forest erupted.
A black wolf, massive and swift, hurled itself into the bear. The impact shook the earth, a savage snarl ripping from its throat. Claws slashed, teeth tore, fur and blood tangled as predator fought predator in a primal storm. Elira tugged at Lyara, panicking. "We have to go… now!" She half-lifted Lyara, pulling her toward the field's edge. But Lyara couldn't stop herself from looking back. The wolf stood tall, its flank bloodied but its golden eyes burning brighter than fire. They locked onto hers, piercing straight into her soul. For a heartbeat, the world fell away. The wolf howled, the sound fierce and haunting, echoing through her very bones. And with it came the voice, clearer than ever, thundering through her mind:
"You are mine." Lyara staggered, breath stolen from her lungs. Elira pulled her onward, but Lyara's gaze lingered until the trees swallow
ed the wolf's shadow once more.