Chapter 6: The Truth Beneath the Moon
1136 Words
The anticipation of the night ahead kept Clara restless all day. She went through her routine in a haze, her mind replaying Jacob’s words over and over. “I’ll show you.” What did he mean? What was he going to reveal?
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Clara was more anxious than she’d ever been. She packed her bag with essentials—her notebook, a flashlight, and a sweater—then hesitated. Should she bring anything for protection?
The thought seemed absurd. Jacob hadn’t given her any reason to distrust him, yet the idea of venturing deeper into the woods at night felt like stepping into another world entirely.
No, she told herself firmly. If I want answers, I have to trust him.
---
The forest was quieter than usual as Clara made her way to the clearing by the stream. The familiar sounds of crickets and rustling leaves seemed muffled, as if the woods were holding their breath.
Clara arrived to find the clearing bathed in moonlight, the silver glow turning the stream into a ribbon of light. She didn’t have to wait long.
Jacob emerged from the shadows, his movements fluid and silent. He wore a simple black jacket and jeans, but there was an energy about him tonight, something almost primal.
“You came,” he said, his voice low and calm.
“Of course,” Clara replied, trying to steady her nerves. “I need to know what’s going on.”
Jacob studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Come with me.”
---
He led her deeper into the forest, along a trail that seemed invisible to anyone but him. The trees grew denser, their branches forming a canopy that blocked out the moonlight.
Clara kept close to Jacob, her flashlight illuminating the path ahead. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” he said, his tone unreadable.
They walked in silence for what felt like an eternity, the air growing cooler with each step. Finally, they reached a small clearing, surrounded by towering oaks.
Jacob stopped in the center and turned to face her. “This is where it happened,” he said.
“Where what happened?” Clara asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jacob took a deep breath, his gaze locking onto hers. “Where I changed for the first time.”
Clara’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean…?”
“I’m one of them,” Jacob said, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. “A werewolf.”
---
For a moment, Clara couldn’t speak. Her mind raced, trying to reconcile the man she knew with the mythical creature he was claiming to be.
“How?” she finally managed. “How is that possible?”
Jacob hesitated, then began to pace. “It’s not like in the movies. It’s not a curse or some infection. It’s… ancient. My family has been tied to this land for generations, and with it comes the bond to the wolves.”
Clara took a step closer, her curiosity outweighing her fear. “So, you were born this way?”
“Not exactly,” Jacob said. “The bond doesn’t awaken until a certain point. For me, it happened when I was sixteen. One night, during a full moon, I felt the call. The forest led me here, and I…” He paused, his expression pained. “I changed.”
Clara’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. “Was it painful?”
Jacob nodded. “At first. But it’s not just a physical transformation. It’s… everything. Your senses heighten, your instincts sharpen, and you feel connected to the world in a way you never thought possible. But it’s also a burden. You’re not fully human anymore.”
---
Clara let his words sink in, her mind spinning with questions. “Is that why you’ve been so distant? Why you warned me about the forest?”
“Yes,” Jacob admitted. “I didn’t want you to get too close. The forest is my domain, and the wolves… they can be protective.”
“Protective of what?”
“Of me,” Jacob said simply. “And of you now, too, it seems.”
Clara frowned. “What do you mean?”
Jacob took a step closer, his green eyes intense. “You’re not like the others who come through Ashwood. The forest has accepted you, Clara. That’s why you’ve seen the wolves, heard their howls. They’re watching over you.”
A shiver ran down her spine. “Why me?”
Jacob hesitated, his gaze softening. “I don’t know. But the bond between you and the forest is strong. Stronger than I’ve seen in a long time.”
---
The silence between them grew heavy, charged with unspoken emotions. Clara felt her heart pounding, not from fear but from something deeper.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Jacob looked at her, his expression a mixture of hope and vulnerability. “Because you deserve the truth. And because… I care about you, Clara.”
Her breath caught at his words. She had felt the connection between them from the moment they met, but hearing him say it out loud was overwhelming.
“I care about you too,” she whispered.
Jacob took another step closer, his presence magnetic. “This life isn’t easy,” he said. “Being tied to the wolves, to the forest—it comes with challenges. But if you’re willing to stay… I’ll protect you. Always.”
Clara felt tears prick her eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his words. “I’m not afraid, Jacob,” she said. “I want to stay.”
For the first time, a smile broke through Jacob’s serious demeanor. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her, and she realized just how much she wanted to be a part of his world.
---
As they stood together under the moonlight, a howl echoed in the distance. This time, Clara didn’t feel fear. Instead, she felt a strange sense of belonging, as though the wolves were welcoming her into their fold.
Jacob squeezed her hand gently. “The wolves have accepted you,” he said. “And so have I.”
Clara smiled, her heart full. For the first time since arriving in Ashwood, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.
But as the night deepened, Clara couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The forest still held its secrets, and the bond between her and Jacob was just starting to form.
Whatever lay ahead, she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t alone anymore.
- Writer
