The Alpha's Lost Luna

The moonlight barely penetrated the thick roof above her, while she stood at the perimeter of the dense, swampy forest. Her heart raced as she witnessed a night of fearsome things in its grip. She figured to be in titan-sized trouble with her pack if any of its members found out she had dared break from its confines. But the cactus of breaking out of her pack's invisible boundary was beginning to whet her appetite.

For weeks, it had been beckoning her, a voice that rasped within her deep soul, calling for her to leave and explore beyond her pack. The same had once offered her solace; now they further trapped her, strengthening their grip until it began to feel very much like a cage. She had had enough of the role of the obedient daughter, a compliant, quiet wolf. There was more out there, which she wanted to explore.

Though the guilt pressed against her, she took another trembling step forward. Every instinct screamed for her to turn around, but the call for freedom was drawing her out. She stepped into the woods with each footfall taking her farther away from home and toward the unknown.

As she stumbled among the dark, gnarled trees, Luna couldn't help but think of the stories she'd heard about the rogue wolves who did not belong to any pack and who were assumed to wander alone, dangerous, and wild. The thought thrilled her. Out here, far from the prying eyes of her elders, she sensed a rush of exhilaration.

Just then, the moon began to rise higher in the sky and a chill settled upon the forest. Shadows lengthened and shifted an uncanny silence. Suddenly, she felt a prickling at the nape of her neck. Someone was behind her.

A low growl emanated from behind her, wrenching Luana into startling fear. With her heart racing, bronze eyes widened, she turned, only to stop cold at the sight of glowing, yellow eyes gazing back at her. The shadow looming was that of a massive rogue wolf, snarling, fanged teeth laid bare, eyes fastened upon her.

"Lost, little wolf?" said he, his voice all a cruel mockery.

Though her heart raced loudly, Luna willed herself to stand her ground. "I'm just passing through."

"Oh, I don't think so," the rogue replied, advancing on her. "Wander too far away from your little pack, and you will soon be a snack."

Fists clenched and anticipation rising as muscles stiffened into coiled springs, Luna readied herself for battle. It was obvious that the odds were against her, she was outnumbered. She was no match for them but would not take it lying down.

She sprang forth, claws a flash as she swiped at his side, surprise etched on his face. Pain snarled out of him, but before she could go on, two more wolves slipped from the shadows, circling her.

With a rush of panic cursing through her veins, invisibly she was encircled, and there remained no escape. Gathering herself for the inevitable blow, her gaze bore across the rogues while they drew closer.

As one of the wolves lunged for her, a dark blur took to the air and smashed hard into the rogue, sending him crashing to the ground. A fearsome figure of a wolf appeared with a presence demanding respect. His piercing gaze bore through her, in icy blue.

The rogue wolves froze, eyes wide in recognition of the newcomer. The one who'd taunted her let loose a low snarl, though mirth with a slight glimmer of uneasiness flickered, wreathed in fear at what he saw.

"Kael," he hissed, taking a step back. "This isn't your territory."

In a low, dangerous voice, Kael made it clear. "I will decide my boundaries."

Without uttering a word, the rogue wolves turned tail and melted into the blackness, leaving Luna and Kael in the silence of the quiet wood. She stared at him, her breath coming in short gasps as the terror and adrenaline took their toll. It was a stare that took the man's breath away; he was taller than anyone else in their pack, intimidating but magnetic. The gazes collided between Kael and herself for a brief moment, and Luna felt as though he could easily look through her heart.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped, his voice frigid.

Luna lifted her chin, vowing not to let him see her fear. "I could ask you the same thing."

Kael's lips curved into a faint and humorless smile. "You're all by yourself out here, little wolf. Did they send you spying on us?"

Luna bristled. "I'm not spying. I left on my own."

The expression that flickered over his features was brilliant, one that perhaps suggested interest. "You left your pack?"

"Not that it is within your purview," she replied, crossing her arms. "But yes."

He scrutinized her for a while as if assessing if he should believe her. "And now you're alone in the woods full of wolves who would not think twice before tearing you apart."

"I can take care of myself," Luna retorted, though the words felt false as she had barely escaped the rogue wolves. Had Kael not come...

Kael's eyebrows were already raised in an unimpressed fashion. "You can barely stand."

Luna gritted her teeth, refusing to acknowledge her weakness. She straightened herself, but a wave passed through her mind. She stumbled, and Kael's hand firmly held her upright in a surprisingly gentle way.

"Careful," he said, his voice softening as if to offer comfort.

That touch sent a strange electric thrill down her spine, and for just a moment, their eyes locked. She was inexplicably attracted to him, a bond she could not define. But just as suddenly, he withdrew his hand; his gaze became an iron stare again.

"Sick and tired of saying this," he traced, his voice failed to ventilate anything but coldness, "you shouldn't be here. Get back to your pack before you get yourself killed."

Luna raised her chin defiantly. "I won't go back."

Kael sighed, not even trying to hide the irritation in his voice. "How stubborn!"

She crossed her arms, defiant. "Maybe I am."

For a moment, they stood staring at one another, a tension crackling in the air between them. Luna sensed that there was more behind Kael than Durk's exterior, but only he knew he hid it, as Luna herself did know.

"Fine," Kael said finally. "You can stay tonight. But come morning, you are going."

Luna opened her mouth to protest, but something in his gaze rendered her silent. With a reluctant nod, she consented, but not in the least for the reason of leaving in the morning. She needed answers, and she was not stopping until she got them.

As Kael led her deeper into his territory, she caught glimpses of his pack in the shadows-wolves with piercing eyes and wary expressions. She could feel their distrust, and yet she held her head up high and refused to show fear.

They arrived at a small clearing where Kael motioned for her to sit. She complied with hundreds of questions bubbling up in the back of her mind: who was Kael? Why had he salvaged her?

But before she could think more about it, Luna sensed Kael watching her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. His expression was guarded as though he were weighing a decision.

"Sleep," he said, his voice leaving no room for disagreement. "You will need your strength."

With no small reluctance, Luna closed her eyes, although sleep was so very far away with him so close beside her. But the words following that come up quite easily, few murmurs might be heard, following those murmurs before sleep overtakes them.

Luna, drifting into sleep, overhears one of Kael's pack members converse in hushed tones. "Does she know who he is? Does she even know she has been saved by the banished alpha?"