The Moonlit Series

C H A P T E R | O N E

The sun drops below the horizon scattering colors through the sky. Willow Kaaye wraps her coat around her waist tighter as a bitter wind bites her skin. It was only two weeks ago that the Silver Moon Pack defeated the rogues attacking their territory and members. Because of the extremes of the attacks, the pack is still on edge. In fact, Willow's best friend, Johanna Taylor, was sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle in a neighboring pack named the Howling Blood Pack last week.

That has been the hardest thing for Willow. The two have always been together. Since kindergarten, they have had countless sleep-overs, shopping expeditions, study sessions, and laughs. They shared everything with each other and talked everyday. And they have been talking everyday on the phone from the day Ann left. As you can imagine, that is not the same for either girl.

Snow begins to fall. The flakes melt into her chocolate hair and olive peacoat.

"Great, just great," Willow mutters under her breath. She decided to go for a run in her wolf form to clear her head late this afternoon, and her wolf Zena ran farther than she though. It would have taken Zena 10 minutes to run it back. Why isn't Zena running back? The second Willow brought up heading back home, Zena gave Willow her body back. She was tired. And lazy.

For that reason, Willow is trudging through the forest in the cold and now dark. It is also why she is now ignoring Zena and blocking her out.

"Ah!" Willow screeches as a dark form suddenly appears before her.

Images flash through Willow's mind. None of them are good. Maybe the rogues aren't all gone. Maybe he is here to attack her. Or maybe he isn't a part of those rogues. Maybe he is just a lone rogue her to... she doesn't even dare finish that thought.

She begins stepping backwards slowly, but the figure follows her. A few steps later, her foot gets caught on a branch, and she nearly falls. Before she does, the figure shoots out and catches her. From cold and fear, Willow's arms begin to tingles be she blind to shake.

Her head begins to pound. At first she thinks it's from her racing heart, but then she realizes it's from Zena yelling at her.

Willow opens her mind to Zena again. Like a title wave, a warm feeling washes over her, and like a siren, Zena's ecstatic voice booms in every corner of her mind.

Mate! Mate! Mate!

Willow's eyes widen, and she gasps. She looks into his eyes for a moment before hers dart across in face taking in his worried -- and attractive -- features. She blushes a deep hew. How could she confuse her mate with an attacker? Her blush deepens further as she realizes he is still in his arms. Willow is tempted to cover her face with her hand, but his hand takes action first. His fingers lightly graze her face igniting even more sparks.

"You okay, Moonstone?" His deep voice washes over her.

"Oh my gosh..." Willow groans as she steps back and stands without support.

"What is it?" He reaches out for her, but Willow puts her hands up.

"Stop!" Hurt fills her mate's features as she yells. "Oh no! I mean... uhg!" Willow trails off as her thoughts get tangled in her brain with her embarrassment sprouting again. She turns her back to him trying to hide her blush.

"Moonstone..." His hands touches her shoulder.

"I feel so stupid." Willow mutters under her breath.

"Now, why would you say that?" He turns her back around to face him.

"Well, for one thing, I thought my mate was actually an attacker." Willow's hands finally shoot up to cover her face. Now, she believes her face to be a volcano. It is burning, and it is red like lava.