The Shifter's Embrace

By Evelyn VanHorn

The warm perfume of damp earth mingled with the fragrance of wildflowers as Elara sank to her knees in her garden, her fingers gently exploring the soft veins of a velvety rose petal. The sun, a vibrant ember sinking beneath the horizon, cast long shadows across the verdant scene, spilling hues of orange and violet into the sky. Willow Creek, with its whispering willows and bubbling brook, had become her sanctuary over the past year, providing solace from the chaos of her prior existence.

Elara arrived with a heart weighed down by grief, seeking refuge in simplicity. The bustling city and its haunting memories were behind her now; she found comfort in gardening, losing herself in the sweet sound of bees and the cool touch of the evening breeze.

Her days danced to nature's rhythm. Mornings began with the first light of dawn, her garden a canvas upon which she painted with blooms and fragrances. Afternoons melted into quiet hours spent reading under the shelter of an ancient oak tree, its twisted branches reaching skyward like fortifying arms. As night fell, she would often gaze at the stars, reflecting on the universe's vastness and her own tiny place within it.

But even in the serenity of her garden, whispers from her past lingered, like the scent of woodsmoke that clings to the fabric of old coats. Her dreams were haunted by the memory of loss, leaving her heart heavy. Routine brought a semblance of peace, grounding her against the chaos that had once consumed her.

Suddenly, a change in the air provoked a shiver down Elara's spine-a faint whisper of unease, like wind rustling through the leaves. She turned her gaze, but the garden remained still and tranquil, the only motion the gentle swaying of branches. Still, the sensation gnawed at her, incompatible with the harmony around her.

Elara stood, stretching her weary muscles, her gaze drawn to the shadows dancing beneath the oak. What had once been a refuge now appeared to shift and writhe unnaturally, influenced in a way that seemed to betray the calmness of twilight.

A low growl reverberated through the stillness, tightening the knot of fear in her stomach. Panic threatened to overtake her; instinct urged her to seek safety within her cottage. Yet, a strange fascination rooted her to the spot.

As the growl intensified, the shadows morphed, coalescing into a figure-tall, imposing, draped in a cloak woven from the very essence of night. His concealed features held an alluring power, the gleam of his molten-gold eyes reflecting the waning light.

Elara gasped, her mind racing with confusion and dread. How could this being have appeared from her shadows, knowing her name?

"You are Elara," he said, his voice a resonant echo that sank into her very bones.

His words lingered in the air, heavy with weight. Who was this enigmatic creature cloaked in shadows?

"I have been waiting for you," he revealed, taking a step closer, and Elara's pulse quickened as if he could somehow sense the turmoil within her.

The chill of his gaze left her breathless.

"I am Caius," he continued, the echoes of his voice intertwining with the darkness. "A Son of the Moon."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DQ5M3BCN
• ISBN13: 9798303332621
• Release Date: December 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 123 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"