I woke to a strange sensation, like my body was vibrating with energy. My skin tingled, and my muscles burned. I was a werewolf, so heightened senses and reflexes were normal, but today… today felt different. It was like my energy reserve was overflowing, and I needed to release it. In Mooncrest Pack, I was only allowed to shift four times a year, and I had learned to live with it. It wasn't April yet, which meant I wasn't due for another shift. But this urge—this uncontrollable need to run—was impossible to ignore. I jumped out of bed, throwing on whatever clothes I could grab because I knew I'd be taking them off in a few minutes anyway. Without hesitation, I bolted outside. The cool morning air hit my skin as I sprinted toward the Blackwood Forest, a massive stretch of land b

