The Luna Awakens

The forest swallowed me whole, one distraction at a time.

I had only meant to hike for an hour, maybe two.

But the marked trail was so far behind me now.

And the sun was setting fast.

My breath came in small visible puffs against the autumn chill.

Everything felt impossibly loud. Impossibly wrong.

I muttered curses under my breath. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

That's when I heard it. A low, rumbling growl from across the clearing.

The forest fell silent. Not even an insect chirped.

Only my thundering heartbeat and that warning sound.

I turned slowly, every instinct screaming at me to run.

A wolf stood at the edge of the clearing.

But not just any wolf. This creature was massive.

Its fur was black as midnight. Its eyes glowed like molten gold.

It watched me with an intelligence that sent ice down my spine.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I'm lost.

The wolf's growl stopped abruptly.

It cocked its head, as though studying me in confusion.

The compass at my throat suddenly grew warm.

When I looked down, its needle had stopped spinning.

It pointed directly at the wolf with unwavering certainty.

Something in my chest shifted. A recognition I couldn't name.

More shapes emerged from the trees. All unnaturally large.

Wolves of varying sizes, all watching me with eerie intelligence.

They formed a loose semicircle behind their black leader.

Escape was impossible. I understood that now.

The black wolf stepped forward, its massive paws silent on the ground.

I closed my eyes, certain those jaws would close around my throat.

Instead, I felt something like hot breath against my trembling hand.

When I opened my eyes, the wolf's muzzle was inches away.

It inhaled deeply, and a shudder passed through its frame.

The golden eyes widened as though shocked by my scent alone.

Then the forest around me seemed to ripple like heat waves.

The black wolf's form blurred. Elongated. Transformed.

Where the beast had stood now crouched a man.

Naked, powerful, with midnight black hair and piercing golden eyes.

Behind him, other wolves were transforming as well.

The air filled with the unsettling sound of bones reshaping.

I stumbled backward, trying to push myself through the tree behind me.

You, the man said, his voice deep and resonant.

What are you doing in my territory? How did you find us?

Words failed me. The world tilted precariously.

The last thing I saw was hunger in his eyes that looked like salvation.

I awoke to warmth and the scent of woodsmoke.

For a blissful moment, I thought I had dreamed it all.

Then my vision cleared and I was staring at rough timber ceilings.

A fur blanket was tucked around me on a surprisingly comfortable bed.

She's awake, a female voice said from nearby.

I turned to see a woman with copper colored hair watching me.

She was beautiful in a severe way, her posture rigid with suspicion.