The Hunter’s Moon

Excerpt:

The animal stayed in the bushes, following along slowly and
silently as it tracked its prey. He could smell it. Taste it. And it attracted
him like nothing ever had before.

Do wolves think in the same way that humans do? Or do they
rely only on instinct, hunting mindlessly?

Whether intellectual reasoning or animal instinct, the wolf
knew it had to watch this woman. It wanted her. It needed her.

Ana breathed in the early autumn air as she headed away from the university and onto the darker streets of the neighboring suburb. It was an older neighborhood, built in the 1920s when the town of Rivelou had begun to spread from its central location on the river, south across the railroad tracks. This particular section of town had been built for the railroad workers: tiny shotgun houses lined up on even tinier lawns.

As Ana crossed Roosevelt Avenue, the streetlights ended,  and the sidewalk was illuminated only by occasional porch or walk lights. She loved sauntering home from her evening classes this time of the year. The air, while it could not yet be called crisp, had lost its summer sultriness, a welcome change from the blistering heat of a Kentucky summer.

As she strolled down Harlan Street, farther from the more heavily trafficked avenue, the road became even darker. It was too soon for most of the leaves to have fallen; they were just beginning to turn red on this last week in September and were so thick on the trees that they hid the full moon. Part of the charm of the old neighborhood was the beautiful, large, old maples and oaks, but their roots also tore up the sidewalks. Ana tripped on one of those cracks. Papers, a lipstick, her wallet, and a few other necessary items spilled out of her purse, and she shook her head in disgust. How could she always trip in the same spot, night after night? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t memorized the uneven areas in the sidewalk after years of walking this way.

The young woman bent down to gather her various belongings and froze. Was that something growling? Somewhat spooked, Ana shoved everything back in her bag and hurried down the street. After a moment she slowed, listening carefully to the night noises around her.

Nothing unusual.

She shook her head. It must have been her imagination. She had slowed her pace and continued on when she heard the sound again. A low growl nearby. A dog? No one on this block had an animal big enough to make that sort of sound. That growl had definitely come from something larger than Mrs. Ahearn’s yappy little Pomeranian. She picked up her pace again.

Only a half block until she turned onto Sycamore, then another half block until she arrived at her own home.

The growl came again. She settled her purse more securely on her left shoulder, her computer bag on her right, and doubled her pace. There were no lights on any of the houses on this part of the block, and of course, the moon took that moment to hide behind a cloud. She took a deep breath and tried to walk at a steady pace. She wouldn’t run even though she could now hear the animal behind her as she rounded the corner. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her own porch light on as well as that of her neighbors, Joe and Linsdey. Only a few more steps to safety.

She was almost in front of her own door when she heard the rush of paws with nails clicking behind her on her sidewalk. With a howl, the animal knocked her down. Holding her computer case in front of her face, she yelled and pushed it at the animal’s huge, dark head. “Take a bite of that, you nasty beast!” It was all teeth and glowing eyes as it loomed over her, growling.

“What do you want?” she shouted. Though it had her on the ground, it didn’t make a move, just stood gazing at her. If she did move, it would strike. She had to do something. She drew a deep breath and prepared to scream when someone came running up behind her.

“Hey, you, get back! Get back!”

She turned her head and saw a man running toward her and the slobbering animal. The man grabbed a stick from the ground as he rushed forward, waving it at the animal.

“Back! Get back, you ugly beast!” he shouted again, striking the creature who turned, snarling at him. They stared intently at each other for a moment before the canine finally dodged the stick and lunged to take a bite out of the man.

The man got in a couple of good blows before the dog suddenly grabbed the stick, tugged at it, and knocked him to the ground. Fumbling in her purse, Ana took action just as the dog leaned back on its haunches preparing to strike. Just before he lunged on the fallen man, Ana found her can of mace and hit the dog in the face with the noxious spray. With a howl of pain, it ran into the darkness.

Several more porch lights suddenly popped on to light the night, and the street was filled with neighbors coming to check on the unusual commotion.

“Are you alright?” her rescuer, still gasping and out of breath, asked. “It didn’t bite you, did it?

How to Build a Captivating World for Paranormal Fantasy: Lessons from The Hunter’s Moon

World-building is the backbone of any successful paranormal fantasy. In The Hunter’s Moon—part of The Unleashed Series, set in the eerie yet charming town of Rivelou, Kentucky—the atmosphere, rules, and hidden layers of the world are just as important as the characters themselves. Crafting a believable world where the supernatural thrives alongside the mundane requires attention to detail, logic, and imagination. Here are some strategies I used to build a compelling world.

1. Anchor the Supernatural in the Mundane

One of the things I enjoy most in paranormal fantasy is the blend of real-world settings with the extraordinary. In The Hunter’s Moon, Rivelou appears, at first glance, to be a just another small, sleepy town. But the more you read, the more you learn about the eerie underbelly of shifters, witches, and vampires. Using the familiar—a college, a diner, a grocery store, a city park—to contrast ordinary, everyday elements with the paranormal can make things seem all the spookier.

2. Establish Clear Laws for Magic and Powers

In every fantasy, sci-fi or paranormal fantasy book I read the creatures and characters have their own rules. For example, in some authors’ worlds, Vampire eat food as well as drink blood, in others they do not. In some fantasies, werewolves can only shift at the full moon, in others they can shift at any time. To create consistency, the author must decide on the rules, the physics, that run their world. These decisions not only shape the plot but also help the reader understand the stakes.

3. Create Unique Paranormal Cultures

Different supernatural species should have distinct cultures and social dynamics. This makes your world feel diverse and alive. Consider their customs, power structures, and how they interact with other creatures. Do the different paranormals get along with each other or are they in competition? Are the covens, packs, etc., filled with rivalries and tensions? Are there governing bodies or is society ruthless and chaotic?

4. Build Mystery and History into the Setting

A rich paranormal world has layers of history that affect the present. How did this particular society come into being? What ancient myths or secrets are at play? This type of backstory helps make the book more believable to the reader. Scatter hints of backstory throughout the dialogue and plot.

5. Use the Setting to Shape the Characters’ Journeys

In paranormal fantasy, the setting itself can act as a character. The mood, climate, and terrain influence the choices your characters make. A creepy forest might provide a perfect ambush point, or a secluded house could offer temporary refuge from enemies.

6. Create Conflict That Feels Organic to the World

Conflict should arise naturally from the world you’ve built. Power struggles, ancient feuds, and conflicting moral codes can create tension between characters and propel the story forward. The characters’ struggles should reflect the rules and nature of your world.

Final Thoughts: Make the World Feel Alive

The key to successful world-building is immersion. The world must feel alive, with rules that make sense, cultures that feel rich, and conflicts that flow naturally from its design. In The Hunter’s Moon, the town of Rivelou serves as more than just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right, filled with mystery, danger, and passion.