Moon Born

Chapter 1

As I ventured through the deserted streets, the relentless snowfall enveloped me, my breath visible in the crisp winter air. The full moon shone brightly, casting an eerie but mesmerizing glow on the blanket of white. I had always loved the snow, but tonight it felt different. The full moon seemed to call out to me, its silvery light beckoning me forward on a mysterious journey.

The snow danced and swirled in the moonlight, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that made me feel as if I were walking through a dream. The silence was deafening, broken only by the crunching of snow under my boots and the occasional howl of the wind. Despite the cold, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm and serenity wash over me, as if the moon were cleansing my mind and purifying my soul. I felt compelled to keep moving forward, drawn in by the hypnotic call of the full moon.

Finally reaching my parents' estate, I could see my dad sitting in the living room through the window. I opened the door and was greeted by the warm and inviting smell of hot cocoa.

He looked up from his book and smiled as I walked in. "Welcome home, honey."

I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of comfort and safety in my own home. I quickly shed my coat and boots and joined my dad by the fireplace, grateful for the warmth and company on such a cold and snowy night.

As we sat and chatted, I could feel my eyes growing heavy. It had been a long day, and I was ready for some rest.

"Well, I think it's about time for me to head to bed," I said as I stood up from the couch. "Goodnight, Dad," I added, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before making my way up to my bedroom.

I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed, feeling the soft sheets against my skin, the memories of my mysterious journey still fresh in my mind.

My skin and the familiar lull of my home surrounded me. With a deep sigh, I let myself drift off into a peaceful sleep.

As the days turned into weeks, the harsh grip of winter slowly began to loosen. The snow, once so thick and relentless, started to recede, revealing patches of earth beneath. The once biting wind grew gentler, and the air was no longer filled with the howls of icy gusts but with the first hints of spring. Each day, the sun lingered a little longer in the sky, melting the last remnants of winter's hold.

By the time the first buds appeared on the trees, the world had transformed. The crisp whiteness of snow was replaced by vibrant greens and bursts of color as the trees and flowers came to life. Birds returned with their sweet melodies, filling the air with a sense of renewal. The quiet calm of the snow was gone, replaced by the bustling sounds of nature awakening from its long slumber.

However, as the seasons changed, the school days seemed to get longer and longer. As I sat at my desk trying to stay focused on a monotonous lecture in my strategy class, my mind kept wandering. The day felt like an eternity, and all I could think about was going home.

Suddenly, I was jolted back to reality by my teacher's voice.

"Miss Lunaire, can you answer the question?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation.

I looked up to see every eye in the room fixed on me, and I could feel my face flushing with embarrassment as I realized I had no idea what the question was.

"Oh, um, what was the question again?" I asked, trying to play it off with a sheepish smile.

"Why was the battle between the Misty Pines and Winter Lake so important?" he repeated, clearly annoyed.

"Oh, right," I said, trying to gather my thoughts. "Well, there are two reasons why that battle is so significant. First, the Misty Pines pack was the first in one hundred and fifty years to challenge the lycan royal family at Winter Lake. Second, it was the first time that a combination of human and wolf forms was used to defeat an enemy in battle. Before that, all battles were fought exclusively in wolf form. This changed the way warfare was conducted from that point on."