Moon Bound

The wind whispered through the towering trees, its mournful howls a constant presence in the woods that surrounded the small, abandoned house Selene Everheart called home. The house, hidden deep in the forest, was her sanctuary—a place where the outside world and its cruel realities couldn't reach her. It was a reminder of a time when things had been simpler, before the pack had torn their family apart.

Selene stood by the cracked window, watching as the last remnants of sunlight slipped away behind the thick, twisted branches of the trees. The sky had darkened, and the air felt heavier than usual. There was something wrong tonight. It wasn't the first time she'd felt it—this strange unease, like a weight pressing down on her chest. Her senses, heightened by the wolf that lived beneath her skin, had always been sharper than most, and tonight, they were screaming at her. There was something in the air, something she couldn't place. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

Behind her, the sound of small, hurried footsteps reached her ears. She turned to see her eight-year-old sister, Iris, darting into the room with wide, curious eyes.

"Selene," Iris said breathlessly, tugging at the hem of Selene's shirt. "Can I go play outside? I'm bored."

Selene forced a smile, trying to push down the gnawing feeling that something terrible was about to happen. "Not tonight, Iris. Stay inside, okay? It's getting late."

Iris pouted, her little face scrunching in disappointment. "But I want to pick some flowers... like we used to." Her voice faltered, her gaze flicking to the woods just outside the window.

Selene knelt down to meet her sister's gaze. "Iris... you know how we've talked about this. The woods are dangerous. It's not like it used to be."

Iris frowned, but after a moment's hesitation, she nodded. She didn't understand—how could she? To Iris, the woods were still a place of wonder, a place where they'd once played together without fear. To Selene, it was a constant reminder of the past—of the night her parents were slaughtered, of the pack that cast them out, and of the secrets that still lingered in the shadows.

There was another strange sensation in the air, like a ripple in the stillness. The trees outside seemed to sway unnaturally, their boughs shifting despite the absence of wind. The forest had been eerily quiet all day, but now... now, it felt alive. As if it were watching them.

"I'll light the lanterns," Selene said, breaking the tense silence and trying to shake off the feeling of dread. She turned toward the shelf where the oil lanterns were kept. The light would help ease the unease, she thought. It always did.

As she lit the first lantern, a bone-chilling howl echoed through the trees, its sound far too close to the house for comfort. It was the unmistakable sound of a wolf, but something was off about it. The howl didn't carry the usual strength of a pack leader. No, this one was drawn out, ragged, like a call of warning—or worse, like the wail of something in pain.

Selene's heart skipped a beat.

"Iris," she whispered, her voice low, but firm. "Get away from the window."

Iris, sensing the sudden change in her sister's tone, backed away from the window, her face pale. "What was that?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Selene didn't answer immediately. She was already scanning the darkened woods, her sharp eyes straining to see past the creeping shadows. The howl had been strange, too close. It was as if the wolf had been near their house, maybe even on their land. Her senses prickled, and she could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. It was just a wolf. She had heard them before—on the rare nights when they ventured too far from their pack. But tonight... something was different. The forest felt too quiet now. Even the wind had stopped. A deafening silence had settled over the trees.

"I don't like this, Iris," Selene murmured, gripping the lantern tightly as if its warmth would protect them from the unknown. Her thoughts flickered to the past—the pack that had exiled them after her parents' deaths, the constant fear that had followed them ever since. The wolves outside her home were never friendly, but tonight, the distance between them felt smaller, the threat closer.

Another howl broke the silence—closer this time. The hairs on Selene's arms lifted as her wolf instincts kicked in. This wasn't just a random howl. It was deliberate.

"Iris, stay close to me," she said, her voice now tinged with urgency. She moved quickly to the door, locking it with practiced ease. Her senses were on high alert, her pulse quickening as her wolf stirred restlessly within her. The beast inside her always sensed danger before she did. And tonight, the danger was closing in.

"Selene," Iris whispered, her wide eyes reflecting the fear that Selene was trying so hard to suppress. "Are we safe here?"

Selene looked down at her little sister and offered her a reassuring smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "For now, yes. But we need to be prepared."

She grabbed the small wooden box beneath the table—a box that contained weapons and protective charms she had kept hidden for years. The objects inside were relics from the old pack, left behind when her family had been exiled. They were meant to keep them safe, and she'd never needed them until now.

Just as she was securing the box, another howl echoed through the trees—closer still. It was a terrifying, shrill sound, unlike any wolf she had ever heard. It wasn't a warning. It was a command.

Selene felt her breath catch in her throat.

"They're coming," she whispered.

Iris clutched her sister's hand tightly, her small fingers trembling. "Who?"

Selene's eyes darkened as she met her sister's gaze, her voice steady despite the fear rising in her chest. "Wolves."

But not just any wolves.

The pack that had exiled them had never truly forgotten. And whatever had been unleashed tonight, it was far worse than she could have imagined.

She grabbed her sister's hand and pulled her closer to the hearth, her mind already racing with thoughts of what was to come. She could no longer ignore the pull of the forest, the strange feeling in the air. It was as if the woods themselves had shifted, and they were no longer safe here.

And then, through the thickening air, came another howl—a chilling reminder that the past was never truly gone.

~~ Author's Note **

Hey, everyone! This is my first time writing a story, and I'm super excited to share it with you all. I'll be uploading 5 chapters every Saturday, and your feedback would mean the world to me. Let me know what you think—your thoughts, suggestions, and comments will help me improve and make this story the best it can be! 😄

Also, just a heads up—if you hear any howling in the distance while reading this, don't worry... it's probably just a really loud wolf. Or maybe I'm just making that up to freak you out? 🤭

Here's a quick werewolf joke to lighten the mood:
Why don't werewolves ever use social media?
Because they don't want to get caught "poking" around! 🐺😂

Questions for you:

How do you feel about Selene's connection to the forest and her heightened senses? Do you think they're foreshadowing something bigger?What do you think about the mysterious howls that start in this chapter? Are they hinting at something sinister?How do you feel about Iris? Do you think she's going to play a major role as the story progresses?What's your first impression of Selene as a character? What would you do if you were in her shoes?Do you like the pacing so far? Is there anything you'd like to see more of in upcoming chapters?

I'm really excited to see where this story goes, and I'm grateful for every one of you who's reading it! 💖 Let me know your thoughts!