Luna

Chapter 1

A cold and still night hangs over the Timberwoods. Or it did about five minutes ago. Oh, moon above. How did I screw up this badly?

My siblings and I are out playing an innocent game of howl. We play it nearly every night without incident. But I messed up. I was distracted this time. How can I not be with the most important night of my life only a day away?

Just one more day, I thought, and everything I could have hoped for would happen. The hunter's moon would sit high above the thick maple trees, I would complete the turning ceremony and the first hunt, and then I would begin the next chapter of my crazy life with the guidance of my inner wolf. Now I'm not so sure I'll get to experience any of that.

 
I like to walk and look at the moon. It helps me think. And I have lots to think about lately. Mostly about the future I have no idea what to do with. But I guess I was so lost in thought that I did the most foolish thing I could do.

My parents warned me. They warned us all. From the moment my siblings and I learned how to walk we had the one rule drilled into our heads. Which shocks me more that I was able to break it. All the forest is ours to live and explore but never go near the Misty Wilds. That is the domain of the dead.

To this day, we wonder what was going through the minds of the witches who created the mountains that separated our lands. Perhaps they thought the huge gap they left would one day become a bridge. For now, it's only an invitation for chaos and trouble.

Even the bravest of creatures don't wander there for fear of losing their lives or worse their souls. And there I was. Standing at the very entrance of death itself. The moment I realized where I was, I ran out straight away. I never expected death's servants to follow me out.

"I thought you said the girl came this way." A deep angry male voice growls.

"She did." A jittery voice answers. "I can still sense her so she still must be here somewhere near here. Search around. We'll find her."

I hold my breath as I remain still and hidden in the nearby bushes. As tiny branches poke and scrape my skin I realize that this isn't the best hiding spot. But what else can I do? There's no way I'll be able to outrun my pursuers. Calling for help is out of the question too unless I want to risk giving away my position.

But in case they do, I pick up a thick broken branch from the dirt. It certainly won't be enough to pierce any hearts but it will at least offer me some protection.

Those leeches are way too close for comfort I realize as I take a quick peek. The shimmering moon above illuminates the tall, well-built, scarred pale face and his shorter nervous looking companion. I get a glimpse at his ferocious, blood-red eyes and can't help but shudder. They dart from left to right carefully searching for me. Then a loud howl suddenly rings out from the trees and the two twirl to face the source of the sound.

I don't know who made the sound. It could have been a passerby or a pack on their usual nightly patrol. Or maybe it's something worse. Many dangerous creatures wander these woods. Whoever it was has thankfully given me the perfect distraction so I can escape.

I begin cautiously moving from one hiding spot to another. From the bush, to behind trees, to behind another bush. Each step putting more distance between me and those monsters who seem to be getting increasingly frustrated by the second.

"We should go. We're not gonna find her." The smaller one says. "You heard it. One of those mutts is out there. There could be more. They could be headed this way."

"Stop acting so weak." The taller one growls yanking his partner by his collar. "I've spent a week without fresh blood. I don't care about the wolves or their rules. I will have that bag of blood even if it takes me all night to find her."