Shadow of the Wolves

Secrets of the Shadows

The full moon hung low over the mountains, its silver light spilling across the forest like a silent warning. Emma stood on the edge of the cliff, the wind tugging at her jacket, her breath visible in the cold air. She shouldn't be here, not this late, not with the way her brothers always warned her about wandering off at night. But tonight felt different—like something was waiting for her in the dark.

Behind her, the familiar sounds of the forest filled the silence: the rustle of leaves, the distant cry of an owl, and something else—a low growl. She froze, her heartbeat quickening. The sound came from deeper in the woods, too close for comfort. She knew what that meant. She had heard the stories from the townspeople, and worse, from Luca.

"Never go out after dark. There are things out there," Luca had always warned, his voice as serious as a storm rolling in. Emma used to brush off his caution as overprotective big-brother stuff, but the look in his eyes—like he knew something she didn't—always stuck with her.

Taking a step back from the cliff's edge, Emma turned to head home, the growl now a distant echo. Her boots crunched against the leaves as she hurried down the narrow path, trying to shake the uneasy feeling settling over her. But just as she reached the clearing near the cabin, three figures stepped out of the trees.

Luca, Ethan, and Kai stood there, their forms cast in shadows, but their expressions unmistakable—anger, worry, and something else. Something darker.

"You're out late," Luca's deep voice broke the silence. His green eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight, and Emma's stomach twisted.

"I—I was just thinking," she stammered, feeling small under their piercing stares. "Needed some air."

"You know it's dangerous out here," Ethan muttered, crossing his arms. He was the calmest of the three, but right now, even his voice was tense. "Especially tonight."

Kai, always the quiet one, didn't say a word. He just looked at her, his jaw clenched, his gaze heavy. Emma knew they were mad, but it was more than that. They were scared.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice trembling more than she wanted to admit. "You guys are always so paranoid about me being outside after dark. Why? What aren't you telling me?"

Luca glanced at his brothers before stepping closer, his hand resting on her shoulder. His touch was gentle, but his grip was firm—like he was afraid she might slip away. "Emma, there's something you need to know. We've been keeping secrets, but it's time you understand."

"Secrets?" Her pulse raced. They were always so protective, but secrets? She had never imagined there was more behind their watchful eyes.

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "It's about us—about what we are."

Emma's eyes widened. What we are? She opened her mouth to ask, but before she could speak, a loud howl pierced the night, echoing through the trees like a cold knife slicing through the air. Her blood ran cold. She'd never heard a sound like that before.

Luca's face tightened, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glow that sent a shiver down her spine. "We don't have time for this. We need to get you inside. Now."

He started to pull her toward the cabin, but Emma yanked her arm free, her heart pounding. "No! Tell me! What's going on?"

Ethan cursed under his breath, stepping between her and the woods. "Emma, there's no time to explain. You're not safe out here. We're not safe."

Kai, silent as ever, nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the dark forest. There was something primal about the way he stood, like he was ready for a fight.

Emma's mind raced, trying to make sense of their urgency, their fear. But before she could ask again, another howl rang out, closer this time. Her skin prickled with the unmistakable feeling that they weren't alone.

Luca growled, a sound so low and feral it didn't seem human. Emma's breath caught in her throat as she looked at him, really looked at him. His eyes weren't just reflecting the moonlight—they were glowing, a sharp, predatory gold.

"What...what are you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind.

Luca's expression softened, but the glow in his eyes didn't fade. "We're wolves, Emma. We always have been."

Emma staggered back, her mind reeling. Wolves? Her brothers? It couldn't be true. She had known them her whole life, and now they were telling her they weren't human?

"This is insane," she muttered, shaking her head. But as another howl split the night, closer than ever, the truth settled like a heavy weight in her chest. Something was out there—something worse than her brothers.

Kai moved toward her, his hand outstretched. "We need to go now."

Emma hesitated, her heart pounding, but as the shadows shifted at the edge of the clearing and a pair of glowing red eyes appeared from the darkness, she made her decision. She grabbed Kai's hand, her fear swirling into something else—something fierce and determined.

She wasn't ready for this, but whatever was coming, she would face it with her brothers. Secrets or not, they were still her family.

"Let's go," she whispered.

And together, they disappeared into the shadows.