ing. She sat there for a moment, her thoughts racing. Who was he, and why did that wolf listen to hi

time before heading back to town. Every sound in the forest seemed louder now, ev

hen, humming a tune as she prepared lunch. Emma hesitated

Talbot said, glancing up from her chopping b

did come across a strange monument in t

d, her expression tighteni

runes carved into it," Emma explained.

. "You shouldn't go wandering out there alone, dear.

f tragedy?"

"Best not to dig up the past. So

. It was clear Mrs. Talbot wasn't go

y. If the townspeople weren't willing to talk, maybe

oks lining its shelves. The librarian, a frail man with th

ut the history of Moonhaven," Em

cific?" the l

"And any strange occu

red to a corner of the library. "You'll find some old reco

e spent the next hour flipping through yellowed pages and faded

ound was u

ntury. Most of the victims were last seen near the forest, their bodies never recovered. Some o

f the monument she had seen earlier. Beneath it was a ca

to herself, her fingers t

e you do

k of books beside her. Kael stood at the e

d, clutching her chest.

" he replied, stepping closer. "

dn't I tell you I'm not leavin

through his dark hair. "Yo

termined to figure out what this curse is and why e

s if he might argue, but then his shoulders sag

said, holdi

I tell you the truth, you h

t's

o articles, no interviews,

riosity outweighed her pro

ry and walked through the darkened streets of Moonhaven. Kael led h

Emma asked, glancin

I can just tell you," Kael said.

soft, silver light that made her heart skip a beat. His body tens

dark fur sprouted along his arms. Within moments, the man who had stood

am, but her legs wouldn't move. The wolf stared at her for a m

ispered, her v

lowing eyes meeting hers. It was

e. She reached out a trembling hand, and

se of calm washed over her. For the first time since

e said, the words feeli

his expression guarded. "Now you un

her mind reeling. "T

nd it's dangerous. That's why you

hardening. "I'm not going anywhere,

ou don't know what you'r

she said. "Hel

aid nothing. Then, with a

"But don't say I