Moon Boons

Chapter 1

Amber Snay

The ice spikes hung from the trees like ghosts, sharp and still, as he crunched through the leaves of the forest floor. He could smell the farms from here. Earthy. Pungent. Delicious. Weak from hunger, all he could do was inch forward cautiously and hope their cattle dogs were asleep. As the moonlight slowly revealed itself through the trees, his pace quickened and he perked up. Hungry though he was, he was no fool.

He’d only been a werewolf for a week, and so far it absolutely sucked.

It all started when he found out his best friend was turned. Apparently, a girl he went out on a blind date with decided to bite him and make him join her pack… boy was her dad mad. But then he begged his friend to turn him so that they could be werewolves together. His friend was taking it better than he was. By like, a lot. See, werewolves need lots of calories no matter the form they take. He was the dummy who figured this out a little too late, and his mom was not happy that she had to go grocery shopping every few days. So, he’d decided to hunt his food like a wolf tonight. Unfortunately, that meant farm animals since wild animals were beyond his capabilities.

As he reached the edge of the woods, his senses picked up more scents and sounds. The heavy breathing of the sleeping cattle, the gentle purr of the barn cats, even the grumbles of the livestock guardian dogs. Apparently, he still smelled enough like a human to not trigger their caution.

“This might be doable after all…” he thought.

Two seconds later he was struck on the back of the head by an agitated owl. So much for that… Where did that owl even come from?!

“Not this farm!” the owl hissed. “Follow me.”

Wait… the owl… it spoke?! It’s probably a wizard…

Well, this was unexpected. And, not being a fool, he decided to follow this owl. It’s not everyday that an owl gives you orders. And anyway, he was very hungry. Maybe the owl had food…. Or was food. Either way, shuffling back through the forest he went, cold, and now even more hungry. This had better be good… he was awful sick of cryptic warnings from wizards and fae and werebeast men alike.

They’re everywhere in Ashfield Hollow, ever since the Wizard Wars 300 years or more ago.