The Moonbloods: Prologue

Our ancestors say they got their moonblood from the wolves. Long ago, one summer night, as the wolves howled up to the vast night sky, their cries were slowly absorbed by the moon, thus transforming it into pure moonlight. When this concoction shone over an unsuspecting tribe camping nearby, any being caught under the light would benefit its fantastical powers. The power seeped under the copper skins of our ancestors, dissolving into and heating the bloodstream, intoxicating the mind, body and soul. This gift, known as Moonblood, granted the lucky few souls who were out that night the ability to shape shift into wolves at will. But these were not your ordinary woodland foxes, these "wolves'' were physically enhanced with many talents and many gifts.

Blessed with not only amazing speed and brute strength, but also canine-like senses, lightning reflexes and a most advanced healing mechanism. Burdened by size, flaring temper and a never-ending growth spurt. So, werewolves if you like. The tribe rejoiced this new-found gene, passing it on, generation to generation again. My mother, Christina Somers, was a direct descendant of Sampson Somers, my grandfather by about thirty. Sampson was also one of the lucky ones, he had the gene. Werewolves generally only phase after great traumatic experience, my mother had a happy childhood, so never found the need to. My case is completely different-my father, Joseph Carmichael, a mortal, and my older brother, Samuel, were murdered eight years ago. Samuel, at fifteen, had only phased three times since he'd started. I, at six, was the only witness. The experience scarred me, so I changed early.

Most of my pack started at thirteen, too, suspicious cases of trauma and anguish wracked our clan. The average wolf usually only phases at sixteen, if they're lucky, older. When I changed for the first time, my mom was there to catch me. It took her all night to calm me down. I was lucky. Keegan Morris, Pax Knight and Ares Blackfoot had been wolves for a couple of years already, they took me in and told me all about it. There are now eleven members in our tribe plus four junior wolves in training. I've been part of the pack for almost a year and the wolf thing doesn't bother me anymore either. I actually think it is kind of cool though I'm still working on self-control. None of us mastered that yet. Also the love thing-werewolf love is different. A little like love at first sight, but then again, it's not. It is much more complex than love. Basically you see her and then there's no going back. It's like she belongs to you and you to her. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I say good riddance. I refuse to ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever fall in love! I've got better things to do than chase girls. . .
Ethan Carmichael