Lunar Shadows: Awaken

Selene

Spinning around, I prowl slowly back the way I came, crouching low to the ground. Raising my head above the soft blades, I find two glowing amber orbs piercing into my soul, beckoning me to follow into the depths of the woods. Stepping forward, I cautiously place my weight on my front foot, pausing slightly, unsure if I should continue. A sudden snap of a twig sends my eyes flying upward, seeing a black shadow emerge-

Gasping awake, cold air rushes my lungs as my eyes fly open and I grip the balcony railing with my heart thumping in my chest. A cold sweat dampens my neck as I realize where I am. Again? How can this be? I don’t recall ever getting out of bed, let alone opening these doors. And the dream, how bizarre, it felt as if I was looking through someone else’s eyes, I wonder as I rub my forehead.

Closing my balcony doors and pulling the curtains together against the brightening sky with a swish, I cross my room to gingerly sit at the edge of my bed. Plucking my phone off the nightstand, I open the notepad app and tap out a description of the dream as Ria instructed me to do yesterday morning.

Once I am fully awake, I decide to get dressed and make my way downstairs to prepare an early breakfast before heading out. Quickly eating scrambled eggs and toast with homemade strawberry jam, I pluck one of the few remaining muffins out of the breadbox and scribble a note saying I’ll be back later this morning after a walk in the park.

Slinging my purse over my shoulder and taking a bite out of the muffin, I close the front door behind me and am instantly shoved back by two massive, fluffy bodies. Phylax and Machitís, our two Tibetan Mastiffs, greet me enthusiastically with whines and butt wiggles. They are both entirely black, except where Phylax has brown patchwork along his underside that peeks out near his chest. Both boys stand two feet tall at the shoulder and weigh no less than one hundred and fifty pounds of muscle, fluff, and drool.

Crouching down, I split the muffin in half and hold it out, each of them taking their piece gingerly. Rubbing their heads, I notice their furs are covered in dry mud with leaves and twigs sticking out everywhere. “Boys, where have you been? Looks like today’s going to be bath day, isn’t that right, we get to play with the hose!” I croon, receiving slobbering licks to my face. “Ugh, okay, okay! Enough,” chuckling, I rise to my feet and make my way down the porch toward Ria’s car, wiping my cheeks with my sleeve.

Phylax and Machitís are known to disappear for a day or two at a time, most often returning a complete mess. They spend the majority of their time roaming the property, doing who-knows-what. Occasionally, their booming barks and howls can be heard off in the distance deep within the woods. I like to take them on a weekly walk in the town park, it helps keep them at least semi-domesticated. Today, however, I leave them behind due to their filthy state and head off to the park alone.

Kyran

Trey, meet me in the gardens. I’ll be there in five minutes, I mindlink while dashing through the fields on the outskirts of the villages.

Keeping a wide berth, I lope through the woods along the backside and stay out of eyesight of the townspeople. Just as daybreak pushes through the branches, I emerge into my gardens at my home. After shifting, I check in with Valdr, Are you okay? If something happened, please let me know. He has remained silent since I awoke to the raven and has not responded to any of my questions. Stepping around a large rose bush I find Treyvar sitting on a worn, old oak bench and instantly recognize it as one of Mom’s favorites. He glances up and holds out some clothes for me wordlessly, giving me a chance to get dressed before his brow quirks in silent question.

“It happened again, just as before. I woke up under the same blackthorn shrub, right at the edge of the boundary, with the same damned raven pecking me,” I groan, dropping my face into my hands as I plop down next to Trey.

He takes a slow drawn breath and holds it before exhaling loudly. “Why? Why now, why you? Does it feel intentional? As if you’re being compelled or ensnared magically?” He speaks lowly, mindful to not be accidentally overheard.

“No,” I reply with a shake of my head.

Yes, Valdr responds at the same time.

What? Valdr, you have not mentioned this! I hiss mentally and my face must reflect my confusion and anger because Trey looks at me with worry.

“Valdr believes so, apparently,” I grit out, extremely irritated as I drag a hand down my face.

“Have him explain and reiterate back to me, please,” Treyvar says with earnest concern.

Valdr, please, why haven’t you-

I have not spoken because it did not make sense to me until now. I do not bring us there on purpose. If anything, while running, I think of only not going there. During both runs—specifically at midnight—I feel almost pulled, as if my chest is attached to an invisible line and the tension increases until I go in the direction it tugs. Only when the tightness is gone do I lay down to rest from exhaustion. The closer I am to it, the more difficult it is to pull away. It becomes close to painful to try, he explains with a terse voice.

I repeat the words to Trey as Valdr speaks them, both of us staring at each other with wide eyes. When I finish, Trey gives a slight shake of his head in disbelief. I am very confused, aggravated, and even a bit fearful.

Trey knits his brow and rambles, “Could the witch have need of you? But if that was the case, why not just speak with you or send a message? Maybe it’s a spell, one designed to trick you into breaking the unspoken vow. What for, though? Has someone pissed her off?” He grimaces with trepidation, staring out into the woods.

“Arrange a meeting with the elders and see what they know of her, but do not disclose any of this to anyone. We do not know enough at the moment, and I would rather keep it between us for now,” I speak firmly, holding his gaze to solidify my seriousness.

Trey drops his eyes with a stiff nod and solemnly replies, “I will find as much information as I can, I do not wish to cause you more distress.”

Standing, I rest a hand on Treyvar’s shoulder. “Thank you. I’m going to head to the park then take a drive after, I need some time to sort my thoughts without pack life interfering. I will let you know when I’m back and we can discuss your meeting with the elders,” I say quietly, turning to walk toward my home.

Entering the kitchen, I fill a water bottle and swipe my truck keys out of the dish Kyrre placed on a small table near the garage door. Grabbing my running shoes off the overfilled rack, I stoop to lace them and silently hope today brings me some clarity.

The town park has a few walkways winding through a sparse forest surrounding a large pond and is frequented by many people exercising, walking their dogs, or relaxing under trees and on benches on a daily basis. With summer solstice not too far in the future, more people have been spending time outdoors, apparently even on early Sunday mornings. The dirt lot seems fuller than usual, and the warming weather is probably to blame. Sighing, I shut off the engine and step out of Bertha, leaving the window rolled down. Well, at least I won’t have pack interruptions here, I consider, giving a slight shrug and roll my neck as I set off onto my favorite path.

Spring blooms have been fully awakened for some time and the park is filled with cloying aromas. I try not to breathe too deeply as I jog, the scents here can become easily overbearing at times. Autumn is my favorite time by far, less people tend to stay around with crisper air, and I like how the earth settles in preparation for winter. The flaming trees and migrating birds give for beautiful scenery to run in as well.

Though currently, I focus on weaving between people and their either growling or cowering canines along the pathways instead of on the park around me. Rounding a corner, I find a group of middle-aged women powerwalking and gossiping loudly. They are oblivious to me and block nearly the entire trail, causing me to hurdle over the log border and stumble a bit on the suddenly uneven terrain. Leaping back onto the path, I glare over my shoulder at their sheer ignorance and shove the hair out of my eyes as I face forward again. I immediately collide with a small woman, her face smacking into my chest with a slight shriek of surprise escaping her. I carefully grab hold of her shoulders to prevent her from falling backward and take a step back myself.

“I am so sorry,” we both blurt at the same time.

Oh my fucking g—

“Kyran?” she gasps, her bright eyes wide as she stares up at me.

I can’t breathe as I realize she’s the woman from the store, the beautiful, mysterious woman whom I cannot get off my mind. This is insane, this must look so bad to her. I hope she doesn’t think I’m a creep or anything, I cringe inwardly as I swallow thickly and take a ragged breath.

She reaches up and twists the end of her silky ponytail, looking toward the lake. “I apologize, I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should have been. I can get carried away at times when lost in thought,” she wrinkles her nose with a small smile. It’s cute as hell and I can’t help the smile from tugging my lips upward.

“Are you alright? Did I hurt you?” I ask, genuinely concerned and my smile falls as I look her over.

She seems stricken but replies quietly, “Um, no. I’m alright, you didn’t hurt me. I’ve had much worse, ha,” and her eyes briefly flick to mine before darting away.

That was odd, I wonder as my brow creases, and I am about to ask if she is sure when she softly clears her throat.

“Ahem, I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself before. My name is Selene and I’m sure we’re bound to meet again, so at least now we can say hello properly,” she jokes lightly and extends her hand with a warm smile, the previous shadow over her gone.

I can’t help but grin and gently take her hand in mine. “It is a pleasure to meet you, sweetheart,” I murmur as I bend down, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. My chest slightly constricts as Valdr’s elation blooms at the contact. Straightening, I release Selene’s hand and watch her fair skin flush a rosy pink.

She presses her hand against her chest, blinking her eyes a few times. “Likewise,” she replies breathlessly with a grin.

Have her meet you here tomorrow. If not, then when she can, Valdr eagerly insists.

“I always run here early, every morning,” I imply slowly. “I like to start my days in the sun. It shines particularly bright today,” I add softly, unable to remove my gaze from hers.

She chews the corner of her lip as if in thought, glancing up at the clouded sky. Peering back at me, I raise my eyebrow with a growing smirk. “Until next time,” I murmur, taking a step back and then around her, beginning my jog once more.

Glancing over my shoulder, I notice how her hand covers her mouth when she turns to look back at me. Laughing, I continue on the path, unseeing anyone else around me as my smile carries me all the way back to my truck and stays with me the entire way home.