Korvus, Renn, and Threx crouched at the edge of the forest. Their scales had shifted to match the bark of the trees. They were invisible to anyone who did not know where to look.
A river ran along the edge of the village. And in the river, three young women were bathing.
Their laughter drifted through the night air.
"I cannot believe Amanda is actually going through with it," said the first girl. Her name was Clara. She had red hair and freckles. She floated on her back, her pale skin glowing in the moonlight.
"Going through with what?" asked the second girl. Her name was Beth. She had dark hair and sharp eyes. She was scrubbing her arms with a bar of soap.
"The marriage. To Alpha John."
"Why would she not? He is an Alpha prince. She will be a princess. A Luna."
Clara splashed water at Beth. "Because she stole him. Everyone knows it. Samantha was supposed to marry John. And Amanda pushed her into the river cove and let the lizards take her."
