Echoes under the Moonlight

The sun was just waking up, spilling golden light through the thick trees of the forest. Ava stumbled home, her legs weak, her thoughts tangled. Lucien's words haunted her. His warning. The crescent mark on her wrist. And the way he had vanished into the night like he was never there.

She had so many questions but no answers. And while Kael's rejection still ached, something far more terrifying had taken its place.

She pushed open the wooden door of the small cottage she shared with her little sister. The familiar scent of herbs and freshly baked bread wrapped around her, warm and comforting. Lily, already up and busy at the counter, was kneading dough. Her dark curls bounced as she turned, her brown eyes instantly filled with concern.

"Ava? You were out all night?"

Ava forced a tired smile. "I needed some air."

Lily wiped her hands on her apron and hurried over. "You look awful. What happened?"

"Nothing," Ava said too quickly, tugging her sleeve down to hide the mark. "Just… couldn't sleep."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "Did Kael do something?"

Ava swallowed hard, then nodded. "It's over. He rejected me."

Lily's face darkened. "That arrogant fool! He doesn't deserve you."

Ava wanted to believe that. Wanted to feel the anger, the relief. But all she felt was emptiness.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she murmured.

Lily studied her for a long moment before sighing. "He lost out. You're better off without him."

Ava sank into a chair, pressing her forehead into her hands. "I just need time."

But time wasn't going to help her. Because even now, the mark on her wrist burned again. She winced and pulled her sleeve back. The mark wasn't glowing, but the skin around it tingled like a warning.

Lily leaned closer. "What's that?"

Ava quickly covered it again. "Nothing. Just a scratch."

Lily frowned but didn't push. She returned to her baking, humming softly, but Ava's mind wasn't in the room anymore.

She had to go back.

Later that day, Ava found herself drawn to the forest again, pulled toward the clearing where she had seen Lucien. She didn't know why. Maybe she wanted answers. Or maybe she just needed to know she wasn't alone in this.

The clearing was empty, the wind whispering through the trees. Leaves rustled, but there was no sign of Lucien. Still, she stood in the middle, staring at the spot where he had been.

"Why me?" she whispered, gripping her wrist.

"You're asking the wrong question," a smooth voice answered.

Ava spun around, her heart jumping into her throat.

Lucien stepped from the shadows, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

"You again," she said, trying to sound braver than she felt.

Lucien smirked. "Didn't I say we'd meet again?"

"I don't want to play games," she snapped. "What is this?" She yanked up her sleeve, showing him the mark.

Lucien's smile vanished. He stepped closer, studying the mark with a look so intense it sent a shiver down her spine.

"It's a sign," he said finally. "But it shouldn't be on you."

Ava's hands curled into fists. "What does that mean? Why is it here?"

Lucien's eyes darkened. "Because fate is cruel."

He ran a hand through his messy black hair, looking almost… troubled.

"You're not meant to survive what's coming," he muttered.

Ava's breath caught. "What's coming?"

Lucien's voice softened just slightly. "War. And you're right in the middle of it."

A chill swept through her. "Why? I'm nobody special."

Lucien let out a dry laugh. "You think that mark would choose someone ordinary? No, Ava. You've been marked as the key to salvation… or destruction."

Ava took a shaky step back. "I don't want any of this."

Lucien's expression turned serious. "Too late. It's already begun."

A sharp pain shot through Ava's wrist. She gasped, clutching it as the mark flared to life, glowing like a burning ember.

Lucien's eyes turned urgent.

"They've found you."

Ava's stomach dropped. "Who?"

Before Lucien could answer, the forest exploded into chaos.

A deafening roar tore through the air, shaking the trees. Birds burst from the branches in a flurry, fleeing into the sky. A dark shadow moved between the trees, fast and deadly.

Ava's pulse raced.

Lucien cursed. "Run, Ava!"

But before she could move, something lunged at her from the darkness.

A massive wolf, unlike anything she had ever seen, crashed into the clearing. Its fur was black as midnight, its glowing red eyes locked onto her like a predator cornering its prey.

Ava stumbled back, her breath hitching.

The wolf growled—a deep, bone-chilling sound that rumbled through the air.

Lucien stepped in front of her, his body tense. "Not yet," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Ava barely had time to process those words before the wolf lunged.

Lucien moved faster than humanly possible. He grabbed Ava and yanked her out of the way just as the wolf's massive claws slashed through the air where she had been standing.

Ava hit the ground hard, gasping.

Lucien was already back on his feet, facing the beast.

"Not today," he muttered. Then his eyes darkened, and for the first time, Ava saw it.

Dark, raw power swirled around him. The air crackled with something dangerous.

The wolf hesitated for just a second. Then, with a snarl, it lunged again.

Lucien didn't move.

Instead, the shadows around him pulsed. And then—

The wolf stopped mid-attack, frozen in place. Its eyes flickered with something like confusion. Then, without warning, it let out a pained howl and vanished into the shadows.

Ava gasped. "What… what just happened?"

Lucien turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I told you, Ava." His voice was low. "You have no idea what you've become."

Ava's heart pounded. She glanced down at her wrist. The mark still glowed softly.

She had been hunted. And somehow, Lucien had stopped it.

She wasn't safe.

And for the first time, she truly understood.

Her life would never be the same again.