Chapter 6: The Mark Beneath Her Skin
The next morning, Liora found Rowan in the old library.
She placed her hand on the table.
“Tell me about my mother.”
Rowan closed the book he was reading.
“You’re not ready.”
“I’ve heard that my entire life.”
“Liora—”
“No.”
She leaned forward.
“Three years ago I was rejected without knowing why. Now I discover my mother wasn’t killed by wolves from outside the pack.”
Rowan sighed.
“You deserve the truth.”
He opened an ancient book.
Inside was a drawing of a woman with silver eyes.
Liora stared.
“That is her.”
“Yes.”
“What does Moonborn mean?”
“Bloodline.”
“And what can we do?”
Rowan hesitated.
“Change the balance between wolves.”
“How?”
“By awakening the First Wolf.”
Liora’s heart stopped.
“What is the First Wolf?”
“Something that should never return.”
Before Rowan could continue, Liora’s wrist began burning.
She pulled back her sleeve.
The crescent mark had spread.
Silver veins traveled beneath her skin.
Rowan stood abruptly.
“No.”
“What?”
“The mark is awakening.”
“Is that bad?”
“It means the First Wolf has chosen you.”
The library doors opened.
Kael entered.
He saw the mark.
His face changed.
“Everyone leave.”
Rowan obeyed immediately.
Liora stared at Kael.
“You knew this would happen.”
“I hoped it wouldn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because once the mark reaches your heart, there is no going back.”
She stepped closer.
“And what happens then?”
Kael looked directly into her eyes.
“You become the most powerful wolf alive.”
“And the most dangerous?”
“Yes.”
Liora smiled bitterly.
“Maybe that’s why everyone was so afraid of me.”
Kael’s voice softened.
“I was never afraid of you.”
“Then why did you reject me?”
His silence returned.
Liora turned away.
“One day, Kael, you’re going to tell me the truth.”
He whispered behind her.
“One day, you may hate me for it.”
