Page 52 of Luna Trials

Alone.

I skidded to a stop in the clearing where the full moon shone through the branches of the trees. My chest was heaving. The female howls grew louder.

They were out for blood.

Something else was there in the forest, more deadly than the wolves who gave chase. I called on my beast, begging her to take my skin so we could escape.

Eyes peered through the darkness. Brown ringed with a golden glow. A massive black wolf stalked between the trees, stepping a huge paw into the clearing. His breath misted with tendrils of smoke and I stared at him, unable to move as his power surrounded me.

Mine.

*

I jerked myself awake, screaming, and kicked off the blankets that trapped me on the bed.

It was just a dream.

A scary, stupid dream. My subconscious was probably in overdrive, trying to make sense of the craziness that had become my life.

I sucked in steadying breaths, placing my hand over my heart to calm both myself and my wolf.

Outside.She nudged me.

I climbed to my feet and made my way to the balcony, still trying to shake off the dream.

Fresh air greeted me as I opened the patio door. It was still the middle of the night. A wispy fog blanketed the pool and trees, silencing the grounds.

I leaned over the railing as my heart returned to its steady beat.It was just a dream.

Something moved in the forest below, followed by a deep, primal male howl. A predator’s warning. The sound vibrated through me, calling to my beast.

Mine,she said.

I shook my head, backing toward the safety of the room. “No way. We’re going back to bed.”

*

“Come on girl. We don’t have all day.”

I jerked awake to the pounding on the hotel room door. Rubbing the grit from my eyes, I turned to check the time. It was already six o’clock in the morning. Thanks to my overactive imagination, I’d barely gotten five hours of sleep.

This was torture.

I was staying up past my bedtime each night and waking too early. If they expected me to stay sane then I needed more…

“You’ve got five minutes and don’t pretend you can’t hear me. Lazy ass wolves.” Jesse pounded on the door again.

Was I forgetting something? I thought we had the day off.

“Four minutes!”

I jumped off the bed and hurried out of the room.

“Who is that?” Stef’s bedazzled “Diva” sleep mask was pushed up on her forehead, revealing puffy eyes that glared at me.

“My stylist,” I said, equally confused as I threw open the door to the hall.

“Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, but we have things to do today.” A rack on wheels was pushed into the room, causing me to take a step back.