MOONLIT VOWS

tle village where the biggest excitement was the annual harvest festival. Instead, she found

Urban Explorers Blog. The assignment was simple: investigate the local legends about wolves that were said to roam the area. But as she

eetlamp flickered overhead, casting long shadows that danced in the breeze. The locals had been les

ma muttered to herself, try

e flickering light from its windows and the muffled sounds of voices offered some

trons sat scattered around the room, their conversations dropping to hushed

ender, a middle-aged man with

Emma replied, setting her

"Coffee? You sure you'

r a story. I'm a journalist. Thought

ooled slightly, and he leaned

e. "I heard they've been sighted around he

. "You should be careful asking questions like that.

open, and a chill swept through the room. She turned to see a

s were sharp, scanning the room with the precision of someone who was always on guard. He wore a

e other patrons, his steps deliberate and silent. He st

he said, his voic

re the way her heart seemed to

hould

words caught her of

eople like you," he continu

e flaring. "And what exactl

r-whisper. "It means you don't belong here. Go bac

tened. "Is t

a wa

urned and walked out of the tavern,

staying. The streets were quiet, the only sound the soft crunch of her boots on the gravel road. She r

ightly nosy woman named Mrs. Talbot. When Emma stepped inside, the old

Talbot asked, glanc

her bag down. "The tavern

y don't take kindly to strangers,

a asked, sitting d

d-stitch. "This town has its secrets, dear. A

s?" Emma pressed. "Surely

es. But that's all they are-stories. Now, you'd best

r. She thanked Mrs. Talbot and headed upstairs to

elling story, she needed more than vague warnings and half-truths. Armed with her cam

illing her lungs. The deeper she went, the quieter it be

any signs of wildlife. It wasn't long before she found herself in a small cleari

that adorned the surface. They looked like runes, though she couldn't

growl echoed thr

turned slowly, her eyes searching th

w eyes stared back at h

ped into the clearing. Its fur was dark, almost black,

a root, and she stumbled, landing hard on the

, another figure emerge

he stranger f

ordered, his voi

ed, its ears fla

ure commanding. "Go," he said, and to Emma's astoni

her mind racing. "What

eyes intense. "I told you

can't

eling beside her. "You're in danger

tion. "Who are you? And why do

eveal. "My name is Kael. And if you want t

sity outweighing her fear. "No

rim. "Then you've just made t