Chapter 3:
Secrets in the Shadows
Days passed, but Lola’s nights were consumed by her new life as the Luna, the leader of the Moon Wolves. Each evening, she would return to the woods, drawn by the bond she shared with the pack. The wild freedom of the forest, the thrill of the hunt, the connection to the earth and sky—it all felt so natural, as if she had been born for this.
But with her new life came questions, questions that gnawed at her during the daylight hours. Who was she really? Why had she been chosen as the Luna? And what did it mean for her life in Silver Creek?
The more she pondered these questions, the more she realized how little she knew about herself and the strange power that had awakened within her. She needed answers, and she knew there was only one person who might have them—her grandmother.
Lola’s grandmother, Miriam, was a recluse who lived on the outskirts of town. She was known for her strange habits and her knowledge of the old ways, the ancient traditions and folklore that had been passed down through the generations. As a child, Lola had spent many afternoons in her grandmother’s cluttered home, listening to tales of spirits, magic, and creatures that roamed the night. But as she grew older, she had distanced herself from those stories, dismissing them as mere fantasy.
Now, however, those stories seemed more real than ever. Lola needed to know if her grandmother’s tales held any truth, if they could help her understand what she had become.
The walk to Miriam’s house felt longer than usual, each step weighed down by the questions swirling in her mind. The house itself was hidden away at the edge of the forest, its wooden walls weathered by time and covered in creeping vines. The windows were dark, the air thick with the scent of herbs and earth.
Lola hesitated at the door, unsure of what she would find. But before she could knock, the door creaked open, revealing her grandmother standing in the doorway. Miriam’s eyes, sharp and clear despite her age, seemed to pierce through Lola as if she already knew why she had come.
“Come in, child,” Miriam said, her voice soft but commanding.
Lola stepped inside, the familiar scent of dried herbs and old wood filling her senses. The house was just as she remembered, cluttered with books, jars, and strange artifacts. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls.
Miriam motioned for Lola to sit, and for a moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the crackling of the fire. Finally, Miriam spoke.
“You’ve come to ask about the wolf,” she said, her gaze unwavering.
Lola nodded, her throat suddenly dry. “I don’t understand what’s happening to me. Why am I like this?”
Miriam sighed, her eyes softening as she reached out to take Lola’s hand. “It’s in our blood, Lola. The gift, the curse—whatever you choose to call it—has been passed down through our family for generations. But not everyone is chosen. Only a few are born with the mark of the Luna.”
“The Luna?” Lola repeated, her heart pounding.
“Yes,” Miriam said. “The Luna is the leader of the Moon Wolves, the one who carries the power of the moon within her. You were chosen, Lola, because the blood of the Luna runs strong in you. It is your destiny to lead the pack, to protect them, and to keep the balance between our world and theirs.”
Lola’s mind raced as she tried to process this revelation. “But why me? I never asked for this. I don’t know how to be a leader.”
Miriam smiled, a sad but proud look in her eyes. “None of us ever asks for the burdens we bear, child. But you are stronger than you know. The wolf inside you is a part of you now, and you must learn to embrace it, to understand its power. Only then can you fulfill your destiny.”
Lola felt a wave of fear and uncertainty wash over her. “What if I fail? What if I can’t control it?”
Miriam’s grip on her hand tightened. “You won’t fail, Lola. You have the strength of all the Lunas before you, and you have the pack. Trust in yourself, and trust in the bond you share with them. But be careful, for there are those who would seek to use your power for their own ends. The shadows are filled with secrets, and not all who walk in them are friends.”
As her grandmother’s words sank in, Lola realized that her journey was only just beginning. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and challenges she could scarcely imagine. But she knew one thing for certain—she could no longer run from what she was. She would have to embrace her destiny as the Luna, the Moon Wolf, and face whatever lay hidden in the shadows.
The night was falling once more, and with it, the call of the pack. Lola stood, her resolve hardening. She was the Luna, and she would not be afraid.
