A loud knock resounded through the cabin, each thump a prophecy of the tumult that was about to become my life. It was early, the sky still draped in a thick layer of clouds that muted the sun's light. I glanced around the eerie cabin room as if searching for answers. Slowly, I put down my book and got up from the armchair. I stepped around the wooden furniture, unopened boxes and old photographs scaterred through the living room on my way towards the kitchen.

Gripping a knife from the countertop, I approached the door cautiously. I couldn't be too careful, not when werewolves roamed the surrounding forest. My hand shook slightly as I placed it on the doorknob, and I could feel the cold metal seeping through my skin, chilling my bones.

"Who's there?" I called out, attempting to mask my fear with a tone of authority.

"Adriano," came the reply, and relief washed over me like a warm tide.

As I opened the door, Adriano's youthful face greeted me with his usual warm smile. He was my grandmother's assistant, an eighteen-year-old boy who had come into her care as an orphan. Though his past was shrouded in mystery, he had always been kind and helpful, and I had grown quite fond of him.

"Red, I've brought something for you from your grandmother," he said, handing me a small, brown package wrapped in twine.

My curiosity piqued as I took the parcel, wondering what it could possibly contain. As I untied the twine and revealed the contents, I found a red hood expertly crafted just for me, along with a letter that carried my grandmother's unmistakable handwriting.

The hood was very similar to one Grandma had made for me when I was eight, a time when I desperately wanted to become a Hood, a werewolf hunter just like my Dad. I smiled as I held the hood in my hands. Then I picked up the envelope that contained the letter. The mystery deepened, making my pulse quicken in anticipation. What could Grandma Beatrice possibly have to say that required her to send Adriano all the way over here?

"Thank you, Adriano," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. My mind raced with possibilities, each more thrilling and frightening than the last.

"Your grandmother said it was important," Adriano replied softly. "She wanted you to have it right away."

"Important" seemed like an understatement. As I put the red hood on, I couldn't help but feel that my world was about to change forever.

I opened the letter with trembling fingers, my heart pounding in my chest. The parchment was crisp and smooth under my fingertips, the ink a deep, rich black. As I read, my eyes widened in disbelief.

"My dearest Red," it began, "There is something of great importance that I must discuss with you, but I cannot risk putting it to paper. Please come to my hideout cabin in the forest at once. Follow the path through the woods as marked by the Birdstone twelve miles northeast of our settlement. Be careful, and do not tell anyone besides your Mom where you are going. When she gets mad tell her to calm down on my behalf. Love, Grandma."

My mind raced as I considered what could be so urgent, so secretive. Grandma Beatrice had been living in seclusion for two weeks now, ever since she'd decided it was time to retire and choose the next Matriarch or Patriarch of the Hoods. She said she needed to think about it and didn't want to be disturbed. As the Matriarch of the Hoods her wisdom and guidance were sought by many, and it was her duty to choose our next leader. Since she went away, only Andriano was allowed to see her face-to-face. And now, she was summoning me.

"Red! What is all this about?" My mother Marion's shrill voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. I hadn't even heard her approach, so lost was I in the mysterious letter.

"Mom!" I exclaimed, startled. "It's... it's just a letter from Grandma." My voice trailed off, unsure of how much to reveal.

"Your grandmother?" Mom's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What does she want?"

"She..." I began, too weak to resist her questioning. Mom was depressed since the move and I didn't want to upset her, but being caught in a lie would be worse. "She wants me to see her at her cabin in the woods", I replied.

My Mom's mouth twisted in outrage and disbelief, her face suddenly pale.

"What?! It's dangerous for you to go wandering in the woods alone, you know? You can't go. I forbid it!"

She started pacing around the hallway, trembling, and I feared she was about to have one of her nervous breakdowns.

"Mom, please," I pleaded, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can handle myself. You know I've been trained for this."

"Is this another one of your adventures?" she snapped, her tone bitter and accusatory. "And what are you doing putting on that hideous hood?" This wasn't the first time we'd argued like this. Lately, it seemed like everything I did set her on edge.

"Mom, it's important. I swear to you, nothing will happen to me," I insisted, my voice firm. I knew I couldn't let her control my life – not this time.

"Are you crazy? I won't lose you to a werewolf too..." she huffed, arms crossed over her chest, tears lingering at the edge of her eyes.

Just then, Adriano stepped through the door.

"Is everything ok?" he asked, looking from me to Mom. His presence was always a calming force in our little household and I was glad for his distraction.

"Red here wants to go off on some wild adventure in the woods," she growled, turning her head away from us both.

Adriano nodded thoughtfully before speaking. "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I went with her," he suggested softly. "I can keep her safe." It felt like a lifeline thrown my way and I eagerly grabbed onto it.

Mom looked up at him skeptically but didn't say anything else as she softened slightly under his gaze. Reluctantly, she gave in to his suggestion and allowed us to go – after warning us many times to be careful and vigilant for any sign of danger.

Relieved yet still apprehensive, I quickly changed into my traveling clothes and gathered my supplies: some food rations, a few medical kits, and Dad's old knife which I tucked inside of my boot for safekeeping. With each item placed inside the bag I could feel excitement mounting within me as we prepared to set out on our journey into the forest.

"Be careful... Don't do anything stupid." My Mom said as I walked out the door.

"Thank you, Mom. I won't." I tried to sound as grateful and reassuring as possible, even as my heart raced with anticipation.

Once we were far from the house, Adriano turned to me with a smirk. "I love Marion, but she needs to chill", he said, shaking his head. I couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter as I dropped my eyes to the ground.

"I know," I said, looking up at him with a small grin on my face. "So, are you really coming with me?" I asked teasingly.

He shook his head apologetically. "Sorry - that was a lie," he said regretfully. "I actually can't because today I have something to do. Will you ever forgive me?"

"Nah... I probably won't," I joked.

As soon as I parted ways with Adriano, I tucked the letter into my bag, readying myself for the journey ahead. Whatever Grandma wanted to tell me, it had to be important enough to risk disclosing her location. And I was determined to find out what that could possibly be.