Ayla made her way back to her grandmother's library after a cut she had miraculously healed without leaving any scar. She headed straight for the column labeled "Aelira" and grabbed the first book on the shelf, causing a journal to tumble out and land in front of her. As she picked it up, an envelope slid out with it; to her surprise, the seal on the envelope matched the tattoo on her neck. She opened the envelope and extracted a piece of paper, only to find it blank, prompting her to double-check to ensure she wasn't imagining things. She wondered aloud, "Why guard a blank piece of paper?" Just then, her hands began to glow again, along with the paper. Words started to materialize on the letter as if someone were writing on it right before her eyes—exotic, graceful symbols she couldn't comprehend. She waited until the entire page was filled and her hands ceased glowing, assuming the letter was done.

"What language is this?" she murmured.

She gazed at the letter in her hand for a moment before turning back to the journal from which the letter had fallen, hoping to find a clue about deciphering the text.

When she opened the journal, the first page read:

The Aelira: The Moonblood Guardians.

Her breath hitched.

The journal contained many stories, and she realized some answers to her questions would likely be within its pages...

She continued to read:

"Centuries ago, during a rare blood moon, a celestial phenomenon gave rise to the Aelira—an extraordinary bloodline of werewolves blessed by the moon spirit. Unlike typical werewolves ruled by fury and instinct, the Aelira clan was born with purpose, control, and clarity; they were destined to be guardians, maintaining equilibrium between the mortal and supernatural realms.

They were known as 'The Moonblood Guardians,' and our full abilities only emerged under rare lunar conditions, passed down through generations. For centuries, the Aelira maintained harmony between the two worlds, but not everyone approved of their dominion. A faction of werewolves, the Veygan, sought to dominate humanity, believing the Aelira protected only humans, so they conspired to eradicate the entire Aelira clan to seize power.

The moonfall battle nearly obliterated our clan; only a handful endured. I, "Elise," was among the few survivors. I concealed my identity and my mark, not out of cowardice, but because I carried a vital piece of our clan—the royal bloodline—and it now resides within you."

Ayla realized that the Veygan clan still existed and would undoubtedly pursue her if they learned about her; they could not be chosen by the moon spirit to become the next guardians with even one member of the Aelira clan remaining. She exited the library with the journal and the sealed letter clutched in her hands.

She gripped the journal tightly as she faced her mother in the kitchen.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

"About Grandma... about The Aelira clan... about my heritage."

"You claimed you had no knowledge of The Aelira the last time I asked."

Her mother froze, a knife poised mid-cut through the vegetables.

"You weren't prepared."

"You don't have the right to decide that, Mom," she shot back. "I'm glowing, I can heal in seconds; I need to know!"

Her mother looked away, guilt written all over her face. "You’re not ready, Ayla. You may think you want to uncover the truth about your origins, but once you enter that realm, there’s no turning back. You'll become their target, and they won’t stop until you're eliminated."

"If you won’t tell me who I am, then I’ll find the answers on my own."

Ayla turned and stormed out, the journal clenched in her hand.

Driven by her hurt and confusion, Ayla ventured deeper into the forest than ever before. After a while, she paused.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she stood amidst the silence and swaying trees, feeling at ease. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, attempting to summon her powers.

After hours of failing to tap into her abilities, she grew frustrated and decided to head home.

She sat on a fallen log, her breath unsteady and her hands shaking from the strong wind. Looking down at her hands, she whispered, “Do something. Anything.”

Nothing happened.

At that moment, the air shifted, the wind calmed. The trees began to blur.

Suddenly, darkness engulfed her...

She found herself on a battlefield beneath a blood-red moon.

Wolves of shimmering silver with green eyes were battling against a dark, savage beast – the Veygans. The Aelira fought with elegance, their glowing markings lighting up the night, but they were outmatched.

A masked traitor, one of their own, stood behind Elise, Ayla's grandmother. He stabbed her mid-battle, altering the course of the fight entirely.

"The bloodline must end," whispers echoed.

A moon spirit materialized, cloaked in light. It placed a hand on Elise's wound, whispering, "One will rise again, stronger than any before, when the last mark shines, she must choose wisely – protect or perish."

Ayla was transported to an entirely different location, a room. A meeting was in session; she couldn’t see anyone distinctly, but she noticed scrolls bearing the Aelira symbol igniting in a shadowy chamber.

An Aelira symbol was emblazoned on the shoulder of one of the participants. A traitor? A spy?

She whispered.

The council was in turmoil, arguing, "She must never find out."

Just then, she was jolted back to reality. Ayla gasped, falling forward with her palms against the ground. After a few minutes, she managed to regain control of her breath and heart rate. She got to her feet and turned to head home. As she took her first step, just before the second, she froze. Suddenly, the wind shifted. She was no longer alone. Her instincts tingled. Her hands began to glow. She swiftly stood up and scanned the trees.

She recognized a familiar energy, feeling alarmed but not panicked. "You can come out now," she said confidently.

She watched closely as someone emerged from the woods, and to her shock, it was Kai.

Her hands ceased glowing immediately.

He raised his hands in a gesture of peace, but conflict was evident in his eyes.

"Have you been following me?" she inquired sharply.

"I had to; you've been sending me your address for a while now. I thought I'd pay you a visit today, but when I arrived, I noticed you walking into the woods, completely focused. I became worried, so I trailed behind you, though I got lost a few times trying to stay out of sight."

Then he added, "You were radiant just now."

Ayla's breath hitched.

"You noticed?"

He nodded, stepping closer.

"How long have you had that ability?"

Ayla took another step back, fearing that Kai might be afraid of her, but his lack of fear only intensified her anxiety.

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

Kai spoke gently, taking another step forward. "I'm not scared because I understand what you are, Ayla."

She retreated another step. "How do you know?"

Then he revealed his secret.

His eyes changed, glowing a deep gold, even if just for a fleeting moment that felt like an eternity to Ayla.

"Because I am one as well."

She stared at him, unable to speak; before she could reply, a sudden growl resonated through the forest. Kai grasped her hand.

"We need to leave. Now."