**CHAPTER 11**
*Before the Moon Rises*
The door slammed shut behind me, and for a long moment, I didn't move.
My heart thudded against my ribs like it was trying to escape. The air felt too thin, too sharp. My hands were still clenched from the Council chamber, the echo of "contained or destroyed" circling my skull like a curse.
I was escorted to a small stone room—bare, cold, quiet. A bed. A pitcher of water. No windows.
A holding cell dressed up as a guest room.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. My thoughts wouldn't settle. My wolf paced inside me, restless. Aerie hadn't said anything since the Council, but I could feel him. Angry. Protective. Afraid.
**"They don't understand,"** he finally murmured, voice low and guttural. **"They're trying to judge what they've never seen before."**
"What if they're right?" I whispered. "What if I really am dangerous?"
A pause. Then: **"You are dangerous, Rory. But not to them. To the ones who fear what you might become."**
Before I could ask what he meant, a knock tapped at the door.
I stiffened. "Come in."
The door creaked open, and my mother stepped inside.
She looked softer now. No longer the regal, untouchable figure from before. Her eyes were tired. Her hands trembled slightly at her sides.
I didn't say anything.
Neither did she, for a long time.
Then, quietly, she asked, "Can I sit?"
I nodded stiffly. She sat beside me, leaving a careful gap between us.
"I didn't want this for you," she said. "Not this way."
"You mean being dragged in front of strangers and told I might be executed for something I didn't choose?" My voice was sharper than I meant, but I didn't take it back.
Her jaw tightened. "You were supposed to have more time. To grow. To awaken naturally."
"You left me."
That came out softer. Raw.
She flinched. "I had to. There are things—things you don't understand yet."
"Then explain them," I snapped. "Tell me who I am. What Aerie really is. And who *he* is."
My voice cracked at the end.
Her lips parted like she wanted to answer. But something stopped her.
"I can't," she said finally, standing. "Not yet. It's too dangerous. For both of us."
"More dangerous than the Trial?"
She didn't answer. Just turned toward the door.
"I'll be there in the morning," she said quietly. "Just… be strong, Rory. No matter what they say."
And then she was gone.
---
That night, I barely slept.
When I did, I dreamed of a field drenched in silver light.
Wolves ran across it—black, gray, white, all howling. Blood stained the grass.
In the center of the chaos stood a man cloaked in shadow. His eyes glowed like fire.
He looked at me.
And smiled.
**"Daughter of moon and blood,"** he said. **"You're not ready yet."**
I jerked awake, heart racing. My mouth was dry. My skin was cold.
The knock came a moment later.
A different voice this time.
"It's time."