Chapter One

A shiver of excitement ran through me and I felt goosebumps erupt in my arms —Today was the day!

“Scarlett,” my best friend, Aria, whispered, linking her arms with mine. “I can't believe this, we are finally going to shift.”

I nodded, a smile dancing on the corners of my mouth. I couldn't let it show how enthusiastic I was about this but deep down, my stomach had tightened around itself and I was eager for what the shift held.

The Rite of Transformation was held for young werewolves who'd just turned eighteen and we were to be led to the forest where we would be left under the moonlight and the Goddess’ care so we could shift into our wolf form “What color do you think your wolf is going to be?” My younger brother, Finn, asked sneaking up behind us.

I frowned at him. “You are not supposed to be here,”

“Why not? No one is watching.” He shrugged, unfazed.

I glanced around us and the older members of our pack were scattered around, discussing amongst themselves. I caught a glimpse of Caspian and he smiled at me before turning back to something his father, the Alpha of the Moonlake pack—our pack— was saying.

Caspian and I were engaged and we were to get mated after our Rite of Transformation ceremony. We’d been close friends since childhood so it made sense to everyone that we were to get mated.

“Black,” I said, turning to my brother. “I think my wolf’s color is going to be black.”

Someone scoffed behind me. “A black wolf has not been seen in centuries. What do you think you are?”

I ignored her.

“How can you be so sure? A black wolf is incredibly powerful and they're known to be one of the greatest kind of wolves to have ever existed.” Aria said, a hint of nervousness in her tone.

I folded my arm across my chest. “And that's exactly why I want one. I'm going to be the most powerful…”

A sharp voice cut me short, it was my father, the Beta. “Today, you will take a step toward becoming your true selves. Do not be scared of what is to come, you are all powerful werewolves, and tomorrow you will wake up to that!”

Cheers exploded in the air but my eyes remained on my father. I noticed the way his eyes kept darting through the crowd and I registered something strange in his expression. All of that died down when he approached me and placed a hand on my shoulder, affection brimming in his smile not noticing my brother who immediately slunk off, blending with the walls.

“Tonight, darling. Are you scared?” My father asked.

“No, Beta,” I said.

He chuckled, shaking his head at me. “I know you'll do great. You always do and I'm proud of you.”

I quietly took the compliment and said nothing in response. We were led through the thicket by the Alpha, Beta, Priestess, and a few other pack members, deeper and deeper we traveled into the dark forest. Leading my group, all twelve of us, right behind his father was Caspian and he looked every inch like the leader he was being honed to be.

Pride swelled in me at the sight. Caspian was going to be Alpha one day and I would be right by his side as Luna and one of the most powerful werewolves– I felt it in my heart and I knew without a doubt.

“Wipe that smirk off your face,” Someone muttered, bumping into me as we came to a stop in the heart of the forest where a ring of well-placed stones surrounded us.

The priestess stepped forward with the blessed goblet and each of us moved toward her to take a drink. Caspian took the first sip and stepped aside. I went next, the liquid was bitter and thick, coating my throat with its ugliness as I swallowed. I felt its warmth spread through me as I walked away to stand next to Caspian.

Our fingers brushed and I felt the air cackle with electricity. My heart rate increased and from the corner of my eyes, I saw the blush that spread over Caspian’s face at our closeness.

“Good luck,” he whispered.

“Here you will begin this journey on your own.” The Alpha announced, his voice carrying through the unnerving silence of the forest as they slowly backed away, leaving us to ourselves. “Go on and be great!”

Instantly, pain seared through me, consuming me and a wave of unbearable heat ripped through my veins forcing me to my knees. From the screams that echoed all around me, I could tell I wasn't the only one suffering this reaction.

A gasp escaped me as I felt the breath leave my body, my bones cracking as they broke and reformed, my skin stretching to accommodate something. And then, suddenly, it all went dark.

It must have been minutes after but the next time my eyes opened, the world had changed right before me. The forest was sharper, every detail of it painfully clear in my head, sounds were harsher, resounding in my eardrums so loud I feared I would go insane. I could feel something powerful coursing through my bones; wild and untamed and I knew something was wrong.

Its presence was dark, clawing at the edges of my mind, teetering me to the brink.

Before I could react, a savage growl erupted deeply from my throat, causing the world around me to tremble in raw fear. I lunge forward, controlled by something dark and powerful, the rage thrusting me forward.

All around me, screams echoed but I barely registered anything other than my own bloodlust as I attacked.

***

I slowly woke up to the noise around me—it sounded distant and foreign to my ears. I let out a small hiss and murmured to myself, swearing at Finn to be quiet.

I turned to my side to get more comfortable and it hit me that I was lying on the ground, thorns and twigs piercing my skin. I shot up just as someone yelled:

“What have you done?” The priestess cried, falling to her knees, her mournful voice echoing.

I glanced around me, my eyes registering the mauled bodies around me, bloodied and disfigured.

“No…” The word was a whisper, a plea toward Caspian or what was once Caspian. I crawled toward him, my hands shaking. “This can’t be, please, Caspian, no.”

But it was. I did this. The realization hit me like a blow, and I felt a sob rise in my throat. The visual memory was fuzzy in my head but the sounds were imprinted permanently in my brain; the cries, the pleas, the sounds of agony, the desperation to live.

How could I have done this? How did I lose control so completely? What kind of a monster am I?

“Wild Wolf!” The shout came from the edge of the clearing, and I turned to see someone pointing a shaky finger at me. “She is a Wild Wolf!”

I managed to force myself to stand upright and twelve mauled bodies lay lifeless around me, the smell of blood and death hung thickly in the air.

My father stood opposite me, his face pale with horror. “You… you are a Wild Wolf?” He whispered, his voice laced with disgust and hatred.

I shook my head, silent tears falling down my face. “No, Dad, please…” my voice broke in a mix of pain and fear.

It wasn't possible, I couldn't be a Wild Wolf. Wild wolves were violent, bloodthirsty monsters who killed without remorse. Wild wolves got a thrill from violent killings and they were untameable, no one was spared from their brutality.

But when my eyes caught the body of my best friend hanging discarded on a tree’s branch, her insides violently torn by what must have been claws, it hit me squarely on the chest —I was a Wild Wolf and I had murdered twelve people last night.

“She is to be killed!” Someone yelled. “Kill the Wild Wolf!”

Panic surged in me and I glanced at my father for help but his eyes were cold and distant, contempt brimming in his expression.

“Murderer!” He spat.