Chapter 1 Moonlight Encounter

Moonlight Encounter

It was glaring to be pictured.

The thick woods were always somewhere, right? There's this weird, ancient temple glowing under a fat, watchful moon. The trees were swaying, wind's humming some slow, secret tune only the forest knew.

Something, I would call it the vibe just zipped through me. Like I was not just walking here, I was in the forest. Heir to all this wild, tangled stuff. I was a werewolf, sure, but tonight? I remained extra alive.

And then suddenly, there was this strange wolf. Standing way too close, eyes sharp as knives, looking like he was carved out of moonlight and trouble. He looked massive, too. "Do you bench press bears for breakfast?" I heard.

"Lost?" My voice came out all small and awkward, which was embarrassing. I tried to edge past, but my spine was basically an icicle.

He grinned. Slow, cocky, dimple popping in just the right spot. His eyes crinkled, and something in his voice made my skin tingle like I just walked through a spiderweb. "Just enjoying the evening," he said, sounding like he chews on secrets for fun.

My heart began to beat like a full drumline in my chest. Who the heck was this guy, and why did I suddenly want to know everything about him?

He leaned in, practically radiating heat. I caught this wild scent fresh earth after rain, wild and sharp. My senses went haywire.

"Maybe I just like the same things you do," he murmured, voice so low since it's basically a caress.

Indeed, I was gone. The moon's grinning down, moving us on. Suddenly I was moving, my hand pressing against his chest. Solid muscle, barely contained under his shirt. He didn't budge, just stared at me with his crazy, alien-wide eyes that glowed from the inside out.

"Who are you?" I whispered. Honestly, it was more heartbeat than voice.

He didn't answer, just stepped closer. His breath skimmed my cheek, and then his lips brushed mine.

And boom. World? What world? It's just us and the moon.

Flash forward a bit. I was wandering the forest, moon making everything look twisted and strange. Out of nowhere, headlights cut through the trees, blinding me. I jumped out of the way, heart in my throat. The car screeched to a halt way too close.

A young, wild-eyed guy stumbled out, nearly tripping over his own feet. "Oh, Moon Goddess, are you doing well, young wolfie? I'm so sorry!" He was shaking, and looked like he was about to cry or puke or both.

I was tense, every muscle ready to bolt.

And then, from the shadows, I was guessing who? Mr. Tall, Dark, and Lunar. The wolf guy stepped out like he owned gravity. Before I could blink, he grabbed my arm and pulled me off the road. I should be panicking, but his hand was steady.

Weirdly, I felt safe.

"Hey, easy!" the driver shouted, backing away. "I already said sorry!"

The stranger shot him a look there's a flicker of something clearly wild, almost wolfish, in his eyes. Then his face smoothed. "No harm done," he rumbled. "She's just a little shaken, that's all." He glanced at me there's a whole silent conversation in his stare. "Be glad I was here," he added, voice dropping into that 'don't-mess-with-me' face. "But, you're not actually safe yet. Come on." He scanned the trees, eyes sharp, like he's expecting monsters to leap out any second.

I pull back, mind spinning. "Who even are you?" I snapped, trying to wrench my arm away. "Safe from what?"

His grip tightened firm, not hurting, just... definite. "Gabriel," he said. "And I mean it. You're not safe here tonight. There's stuff out here you don't want to meet."

I raised an eyebrow. "Like what, Bigfoot?"

His eyes glinted, all serious. "Worse. Things that only come out at night. Come with me, and I'll explain."

I was frozen, every part of my wolf warring inside me. What did he mean, "I'm not who you think I am"? (Yeah, he actually said that, somewhere back there. It's ringing in my head like a bell.) And then again, he was gone.

I dug out this crumpled note from my jacket: Meet me at the old waterfall deep in the forest at midnight. Come alone. My hands shake a little.

What exactly was Gabriel planning?

Suddenly, the whole neighborhood, the whole world, felt off. Like I've slipped sideways into some alternate reality. Everything familiar was now... suspicious. My stomach has twisted up with dread and to be real excitement.

I knew I was going. I had to. I had to find out who or what Gabriel really is, and what he wanted with me. That note might as well be burning a hole in my pocket, sparking off a feeling I couldn't shake: whatever's about to happen, it's going to change everything. igniting a strange mix of anticipation and dread. What would truly happen at midnight? And what terrifying truth awaited me at the old waterfall deep in the forest?

As the hours dragged by, my anxiety clawed at me. I couldn't focus on anything, my mind a whirlwind of possibilities. What secrets would Gabriel reveal? And what would be the unbearable cost of uncovering them?

The forest loomed ahead, a dark and mysterious maw. I took a steadying breath and stepped into the shadows, the ancient trees closing in around me like silent, watchful sentinels. The old waterfall a place of legends, a sacred gathering spot for the pack.

I moved with hushed steps, my senses on high alert, every rustle of leaves amplified. Suddenly, a twig snapped behind me. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. Gabriel emerged from the inky blackness, his eyes locking onto mine with an unsettling intensity.

"You're here," he said, his voice low and rich. "I wasn't sure if you'd come."

I stood my ground, my own eyes flashing with determination. "I need to know what's going on, Gabriel. What are you hiding?"