Page 119 of Fool Moon First Aid

Ethan, whose eyes are usually a dark, brooding storm, now blaze with the spirit of his inner wolf. He sits up slowly, cocking his head to the side, attentive and alert.

“Clan lands,” he declares, surging out of bed to wrench open the window. “We’re under attack.” He whirls around to lock eyes with me, a silent exchange passing between us. “Ava.”

“Go.” Rising to stand beside him at the window, I watch as the clan shifts and dashes into the forest below. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”

He’s torn, I can see it—torn between the urge to stay by my side and protect the clan. The distant cry of a child makes the decision for him. Without a second thought, Ethan shoves the window screen out, barely making a sound as it clatters to the ground, and leaps through, shifting mid-descent.

I rush to the window just in time to see him land with a snarl before bolting away. A horn echoes ominously through the forest. The hunters are attacking on clan lands—a thought so staggering, it fills me with dread. Despite years of coexistence with spiritkin, witches, and fae, the hunters had never dared challenge a clan.

Until now.

Why now? The question propels me into action. I snatch up my discarded clothes, step into my jeans, and hastily pull on my sports bra, leaving the rest scattered. As I rip the door open, I find Tyler there, his face etched with fear and urgency.

“The hunters are on clan lands,” he says, his voice trembling. He grabs my hand, pulling me along. “I need to get the children to safety.”

“Do you need help?” I offer, ready to leap into action.

He shakes his head, a pained expression flickering across his features. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but?—”

“They think I’m the target?” I interrupt, the words spilling out with a confidence I wish I didn’t feel. “My father.”

“This has never happened before. It can’t be a coincidence.” He glances back at me as we dash downstairs.

“I agree,” I say, stopping him with a firm grip on his arm. “Go, get them to safety.”

This is terrifyingly real.

“Ava.” Tyler cups my cheeks, his eyes begging me to understand. “Whatever you’re planning, don’t. I need you to stay here and be safe. Brody and Natalie are on their way back. Can you promise me you’ll stay put?”

“I—” Frustration wells up, but I urge him on. “Ensure their safety. I’ll do everything in my power to stay safe.”

He’s clearly reluctant to go, his gaze lingering on me. Then, in a swift move, Tyler plants a kiss on me, a promise of countless more to come. “I plan to steal an infinite number of kisses from you for the rest of our lives. I love you, butterfly.” He’s gone before I can respond.

Stunned, I trace my lips, savoring the memory of his touch, his taste.

He loves me. The escalating shouts snap me back to the pressing reality, erasing all excitement at feeling loved.

The adrenaline coursing through my veins ignites my determination, my mind racing to devise a strategy. I dash back into Ethan’s room, seizing my phone and stuffing it into my pocket. With a deep inhale, I slide into my shoes and sprint down the stairs, driven by an overwhelming need to contribute, to make a difference. I ease the front door open, my senses heightened, scanning for any hint of danger.

From afar, the sounds of anguish and conflict pierce the night. My heart clenches in response, yet I steel myself, knowing impulsiveness won’t serve me, or anyone else, now.

Think, Ava, think! The immediate step is to call for backup. I dial Brody’s number, my heart in my throat, hoping for a swift answer.

“Brody, it’s me,” I whisper, urgency threading my voice as I speak into the void. “The hunters… They’ve invaded. Clan lands… They are attacking… We need a rendezvous point…” My voice fractures, a sob threatening to break through. “I… I’m not sure where to go… Ethan… Tyler has the kids…”

The prerecorded message from Brody plays, his voice exuding confidence—a stark contrast to my desperation. “This is Dr. Brody Walker. Please leave a message…”

Voicemail.

A jolt of realization strikes me—I’m not just a bystander, I’m part of this world. This isn’t the time for human hesitations. I’m on clan territory, and I am a wolf.

Stop thinking like a human. Think like a wolf.

My heart beats a fierce rhythm—an echo of the primal essence within. The surrounding chaos dims, making way for an awakening that’s both foreign and intimately familiar. My skin prickles, alive with an energy that beckons the core of my being to life.

For too long, I’ve used my humanity as a shield, a supposed sanctuary from the unpredictable, but now, with everything I love at risk, I see how flimsy that safety was. How can I protect anyone if I’m not willing to embrace all of myself?

The realization is a gut punch, stealing my breath. I can’t face this challenge as a mere human. Ethan, Tyler, the children—they need more than what my human form can offer. My hesitation and fears come from clinging to a part of me that’s just not enough anymore.

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