Moonbound

Unraveling the Truth

The next day, Luna felt the weight of Ryder's revelation hanging over her like a storm cloud. The rogues were after her, and not just because she was a new werewolf. They wanted something more—something inside her that she didn't even understand yet.

She spent the day in a daze, barely paying attention in class. Maya, Alex, and Jake noticed, but none of them asked what was wrong. They all had their own lives, their own problems, and Luna wasn't ready to drag them into her mess. Not yet.

After school, Luna met Ryder at the edge of the forest. They had agreed to start training, to get stronger in case the rogues came back. But Luna couldn't focus. Her thoughts were spinning too fast, her mind replaying the conversation with Ryder over and over again.

"What's going on in your head?" Ryder asked, breaking the silence as they stood in a clearing, surrounded by trees. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

Luna hesitated. She wasn't sure how to explain what she was feeling. "You said the rogues are after me because I'm different. But what does that mean, Ryder? What's wrong with me?"

Ryder shook his head. "There's nothing wrong with you, Luna. But you're... special. I've never seen someone transform as quickly or as powerfully as you did. It's like the wolf inside you is stronger than normal, more in control. That's what the rogues are after."

Luna's stomach twisted. "So I'm some kind of freak?"

"No," Ryder said firmly. "You're not a freak. You're powerful. And that's why we have to figure this out—together."

Luna nodded, though the unease in her chest didn't fade. Ryder was trying to reassure her, but the fact remained: she was different. And different, in their world, was dangerous.

As they began their training session, Luna threw herself into the exercises with more determination than ever before. They ran through drills—speed, strength, agility—but Luna's mind kept drifting back to the rogues. What did they want from her? And why now?

After an hour of intense training, Luna finally stopped, panting heavily. Ryder gave her a nod of approval. "You're getting stronger."

Luna wiped the sweat from her forehead, trying to catch her breath. "But will it be enough?"

Ryder's expression darkened. "I don't know. But we'll keep training, and we'll be ready for whatever comes next."

Luna wanted to believe him, but the sense of impending danger lingered in the back of her mind. Something was coming, and it wasn't going to wait for them to be ready.