ARIA POV
I burst through the top of the raging river, gasping for air. The icy water clawed at me, trying to drag me back under. I fought against the water, my arms burning as I struggled toward the shore.
"There she is!" a voice yelled from the cliff above. Wolves were looking down, pointing at me in the water.
Just as my strength was going, strong hands grabbed me, pulling me onto the rocky bank. I blinked water from my eyes to see a lady with midnight-black hair and piercing blue eyes.
"You're safe now, sister," she said. "They won't cross into our territory."
The wolves above howled in anger but didn't jump. I fell onto the stones, trembling from cold and fear.
"Who are you?" I managed to ask.
The woman pulled back her collar, showing a crescent moon mark on her neck—identical to the one that had appeared on my skin after the ritual.
"I'm Selene of the Shadow Waters Pack," she said. "And you're the Luna who's turning the old ways upside down. We've been waiting for you."
