Under the Moon
CHAPTER 1
A GLINT OF GOLD caught Lenore’s eye as she was unceremoniously shuffled out of her hospital unit.
Two uniformed knights awaited her in a private room, their lapels adorned with golden unicorn emblems. Their solemn eyes bored into hers.
Her hands shook—the chained cuffs rattling noisily around her wrists as her anxiety spiked.
These knights were sworn to protect Arkhaven, but here, they stood guard against her.
The knights sat behind a dark mahogany desk that dominated the space with its finely carved design, giving them an air of absolute authority.
They were perfectly poised, a sharp contrast to Lenore’s hunched figure and plain hospital garb—her gaze darted away, glancing at anything else she could focus on.
A manila folder and two mugs of steaming coffee rested on the polished wood.
“Hello, Ms. Yunae.” One officer spoke—an elven male with short, pale-blonde locks. “You may call me Barnabas, and this is my partner, Meredith.” His fellow knight, a raven-haired human, gave a polite nod to Lenore. Her expression offered little kindness.
Barnabas gestured to the empty chair across from them. “Please take a seat.”
Lenore glanced back at the escort of hospital guards that had brought her over.
When the guards said nothing, she walked to the chair.
Her chains were loud in the room's quiet as she squeezed through the tight space between the desk and the chair, cringing at every hard jangle.
The moment she sat down, Barnabas spoke brusquely.
“Because of your condition, your living situation will no longer be the same. As a newly turned werewolf, you are a risk to the citizens here at Arkhaven.”
Lenore barely had time to blink before he continued.
“During the process of your recovery, we sent out applications on your behalf to the closest communities of your ilk.”
Meredith interjected. “Communities aren’t quite the right definition. It would be a pack. Werewolves live in hierarchical units—but don’t be concerned. From what we know, each member holds value, regardless of their rank.”
“Correct, thank you, Meredith.” Barnabas nodded, then said, “Only a few have responded with the willingness to take you in, but at least you have some options on where to go. We’ll give you a few minutes to review them before you make your choice.
Once that’s settled, we’ll be notifying your...
pack.” A flicker of disdain crossed his eyes.
“Travel arrangements will then be made for your new life with them.”
He leaned forward with clasped hands. “Outside of basic contact and rough ideas of where their settlements are in case of anything, we have little information on each specific pack. It took several mages working in tandem just to locate the beasts.”
His pristine white-gloved hands opened the manila folder. He tapped the parchment within—a map of the untouched wilderness beyond Arkhaven. Crimson circles inked the colorless landscape.
“The best we can offer,” he said, “is for you to choose what you believe would be the most suitable location.”
Lenore’s eyes flitted down to the off-white parchment—to the map that marked nothing but uncharted trees.
“We’ll be escorting you when you go to collect any belongings you wish to take with you,” Meredith said. “Do note that anything you leave behind will be discarded.” As soon as she finished speaking, Barnabas slid the open folder toward Lenore.
Apprehension rose in the silence that came. Lenore made no attempt to move. The knights stared at her, their expressions impassive. Behind Lenore, the hospital guards tensed up, prepared for the worst.
Her shoulders shook, hands tightening into fists. Both knights narrowed their eyes. A few hands hovered over their sword hilts. All eyes were locked onto the silver-haired woman. Her bangs shadowed her face as she hung her head low.
Someone nearly drew a sword when Lenore’s head snapped up.
Anguish and anger twisted across her face as she cried out, “Choose? Adjustments? A new life? How am I—I can’t—I can’t choose.
” Her voice grew shriller as her elongating fingernails pressed against the wood grain.
The pink underneath her nails turned white.
“I—I’m not—I don’t want this, I don’t want any of this! ”
“Whether you like it or not, you are no longer human, but a werewolf,” Meredith said calmly. “Ms. Yunae, I’m sorry that this happened to you, but understand we’re looking to resolve this with the best circumstances in mind for everyone.”
“A werewolf,” Lenore repeated the word with quiet strain.
Shakily, her gaze lowered to her right arm.
Underneath the bandaged wraps was undeniable proof.
There was no longer any pain, but the truth throbbed sharply through her body.
Flashes of ghastly yellow eyes and outstretched claws invaded her mind. Her breathing grew shallow and fast.
“Ms. Yunae.” Barnabas stood up, calling out to her in a firm manner.
Despite him standing just across the desk, his voice sounded distant through the murky fog in Lenore’s ears.
A sharp ringing pierced her eardrums. Her nails dug into the wood.
Muffled words spoken around her fell short as Lenore let out an agonized howl.
The last thing she remembered was the wood splintering underneath her dragging nails, a loud clamor of noise, and an electrifying sensation that painfully lashed through her body before it all faded to black.