Fated by the moon.

The wind howled through the dense forest, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth. Evelyn could taste the bitterness of fear in the air as she ran, her heart pounding in her chest, each breath coming in short, jagged gasps. Her legs burned, her muscles protesting the effort, but she didn't dare stop. Not when the shadows were closing in behind her. Not when the wolves of the Crescent Pack were on her heels.

The attack had come out of nowhere. Her village, peaceful and untouched by the violence that plagued the world of wolves, was razed to the ground in a single night. Her parents-gone. Her home-nothing more than smoldering ruins.

She could still hear the echo of the fire crackling in the distance, the anguished cries of her people as they were torn apart. The Crescent Pack had been merciless, and Evelyn had barely escaped with her life.

She stumbled over a fallen branch, her knee hitting the cold earth. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she pushed herself up again, her eyes darting around, searching for a place to hide. Her heart screamed at her to keep moving, to get farther away from the wreckage, from the pack that had destroyed everything she'd ever known.

But no matter how far she ran, the sense of dread never faded. She could feel them. The wolves. They were hunting her.

She had always known something was different about her. Her senses were sharper than the average human's, her strength far greater than what a regular person could possess. But what she hadn't known, what no one had told her, was that she wasn't just human. She wasn't even purely wolf. She was a hybrid-a blend of both, a dangerous secret that even her parents had hidden from her for most of her life.

Now, that secret had been exposed, and it had cost her everything.

The sharp snap of a twig behind her sent her heart into overdrive. She didn't need to look to know they were there. She could hear their heavy footsteps, the rustling of fur as they moved silently through the underbrush. There was no escape now.

Evelyn's eyes flicked to the trees around her, seeking any kind of cover. There. A thicket of brambles ahead, just a few yards away. She could make it if she pushed herself harder.

Ignoring the sharp pain in her side, she sprinted forward, adrenaline driving her beyond her limits. Her breath was ragged, her legs ached, but she wasn't going to stop. Not when her life was at stake.

As she neared the thicket, she could hear the growls behind her, the wolves closing in. Panic surged within her. She had never shifted before. She'd never needed to. Her hybrid nature had always kept her safe, but now-now she didn't know what to do. She could feel her wolf trying to break free, clawing at the surface, desperate to protect her. But Evelyn wasn't ready. She wasn't ready to embrace that side of her.

A sharp bark echoed from behind her, followed by the thundering of paws against the earth. They were getting closer.

Without thinking, Evelyn dove into the bramble, pushing through the thorny branches and into the dense underbrush. The sharp pain of the thorns tearing at her skin went unnoticed as she crawled deeper, her breathing harsh in her chest. She needed to get away. She needed to think.

But her thoughts were jumbled, clouded by fear and confusion. She didn't know why the Crescent Pack had attacked. She didn't know why they were after her. All she knew was that she couldn't let them catch her.

The ground beneath her trembled, and she froze. The wolves were circling her, their keen senses searching for any sign of movement. Evelyn held her breath, praying that she could remain hidden, that they wouldn't find her.

Then, she heard it. A voice-low, commanding, and full of authority. "She's here somewhere. Keep looking."

Her heart skipped a beat. The voice was male, deep and rich, sending a strange shiver down her spine. It wasn't just the voice of any wolf-it was the voice of an Alpha.

The Alpha.

Evelyn's stomach clenched as the memory surged to the forefront of her mind. She knew that voice. She had heard it before, but she couldn't place where. It was a voice that had haunted her dreams, one that had called to her in the dead of night, whispering promises of a fate she had never been prepared for.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the brush above her parted, and a pair of golden eyes met hers from the shadows.

Alfred.

She had heard stories about him. The Alpha of the Bloodfang Pack. Ruthless. Cold. Unforgiving.

And yet, those golden eyes seemed to burn with something else-something that made her blood run cold, even as it stirred something deeper inside her, something she had buried for years.

Alfred stepped into the clearing, his powerful frame cutting through the darkness like a predator hunting its prey. His presence was overwhelming, his power unmistakable. Evelyn's pulse quickened as he neared, every instinct telling her to run, to flee before it was too late.

But she couldn't move.

"You shouldn't be here," Alfred said, his voice low and laced with something dark. His gaze flicked to her bruised and bloodied face, and for the briefest moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something-concern, maybe? No. It was gone too quickly to be sure.

"I didn't ask for this," Evelyn said, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain strong. "I didn't ask for any of it."

Alfred's expression softened for the briefest of moments, but it was fleeting. "You never do."

The words seemed to echo in her mind, and she felt an undeniable pull toward him, an invisible thread tying her to the Alpha. It was a bond she had never wanted, never asked for, but here it was, binding them together in a way that felt both terrifying and inevitable.

"Get up," Alfred commanded, his voice like velvet, but with an edge that made it clear there was no room for disobedience.

Evelyn's body tensed, her mind screaming at her to run, but her legs wouldn't cooperate. She was trapped, caught between the Alpha and the wolves who would stop at nothing to claim her.

"Please," she whispered, her breath hitching. "I just want to survive."

For a long moment, Alfred said nothing. His eyes bored into hers, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he stepped closer, his hand reaching out toward her.

"Survive?" he repeated softly, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "You're not alone anymore."

The touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, and Evelyn's world spun as her senses flared to life, the undeniable pull between them stronger than ever.

---

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat as Alfred's hand lingered against her skin, his touch sending an inexplicable wave of warmth and discomfort coursing through her. She tried to pull back, to escape the sensation, but something in her stopped her. Something deeper than fear, something primal, tugged her closer to him.

She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the flicker of something beneath the cold exterior. It was an emotion she couldn't quite place. It unsettled her.

"What do you want from me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rush of adrenaline in her veins.

Alfred's gaze hardened, and he withdrew his hand from her cheek, the warmth vanishing almost immediately. He stood tall, his imposing figure blocking the little light that made its way through the canopy above. The air felt heavy, thick with tension.

"I want nothing from you," he said quietly. "But you've already been marked. Whether you accept it or not, we are bound by something neither of us can control."

Evelyn swallowed hard, her chest tightening at the implication of his words. She wanted to argue, to scream that she didn't ask for any of this, that she was fine on her own. But deep down, she knew it wasn't true. She had felt something long before this moment, something that had always been a part of her-like an ember smoldering beneath the surface, waiting to ignite. She was drawn to him, to the dark power he radiated, and she hated herself for it.

"No," she said, shaking her head as if to dispel the thought. "You don't get to decide my fate."

Alfred's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a tight smile. It wasn't the kind of smile that reassured her; rather, it was filled with a quiet strength that made her feel small and insignificant in comparison.

"You think you have a choice?" His voice was low, almost too quiet, but Evelyn could hear the underlying threat. "You've already been marked by the full moon. By fate. You can run all you want, but you can't escape what's coming."

Before Evelyn could respond, the sound of rustling leaves and growling wolves reached her ears. The pack was close now. She could feel them closing in, their presence like a dark cloud, hovering just beyond the thicket.

Alfred's gaze flicked to the trees, his expression unreadable as he assessed the situation. Evelyn's stomach churned. She had no idea how many wolves were out there, but she knew it was enough to overwhelm her. She was alone, with only one chance to survive.

"Move," Alfred said sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a command.

Evelyn barely registered the words before she was yanked to her feet. Her body protested, but Alfred's grip was firm, his hand surprisingly gentle around her wrist. He didn't give her time to question, didn't ask if she was ready. He simply began pulling her through the underbrush, his steps swift and sure, as if he knew exactly where he was going.

They moved in silence, the tension between them palpable, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Evelyn could hear the wolves closing in, their growls and sniffs growing louder with each passing second. She tried to keep up, but her legs were shaking with exhaustion, her body screaming for a break.

"Where are we going?" she gasped, struggling to keep pace.

Alfred didn't look back, his face set in a hard line as he pushed through the thick foliage. "To my pack. It's the only place you'll be safe."

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. His pack? She had heard rumors about the Bloodfang Pack, rumors that painted them as ruthless, cold-hearted wolves who cared only for power and dominance. The Alpha of that pack- Alfred- was a man to be feared. He was known for his brutal leadership, his unyielding control over his people. Evelyn had never thought she would find herself in the presence of such a man, let alone running toward his territory for safety.

"I don't want to go to your pack," Evelyn said, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance. "I'm not your prisoner."

Alfred's grip tightened on her wrist, and he stopped in his tracks, turning to face her. His golden eyes flicked to hers, his gaze piercing and intense, making her feel as though he could see straight through her.

"You don't have a choice," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "The Crescent Pack will not stop hunting you. They know what you are, and they will kill you to prevent you from reaching your full potential. Your only chance is to come with me."

Evelyn recoiled, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and anger. "I don't need you," she spat. "I can take care of myself."

Alfred's lips twitched, as if amused by her words. "You really think so?" he asked, his tone so calm that it made Evelyn want to scream. "You've barely survived one attack. What makes you think you can survive another without me?"

She had no answer to that. The truth was, she wasn't sure she could. The Crescent Pack had nearly destroyed her, and though she hated to admit it, she was terrified. Terrified of what they would do to her, terrified of the strength they wielded. The full moon was rising, and with it, the undeniable pull of her fate.

Without warning, Alfred turned and began walking again, dragging her along with him. She stumbled to keep up, but there was no escaping him. She was trapped. The further they moved through the forest, the more she realized that she was no longer in control of her own life.

They reached a clearing, and in the distance, Evelyn could make out the outline of a large, imposing structure. The walls were tall and made of dark stone, barely visible against the black night. It was a fortress- a packhouse, she realized.

Alfred didn't slow as they approached, his eyes focused ahead, never looking back. When they reached the gates, two large wolves stood guard, their eyes glowing in the darkness. They stepped aside without a word as Alfred led Evelyn inside, his presence commanding respect.

The interior of the packhouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of wolves. Evelyn's senses immediately went on high alert. She could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on her as they moved through the halls, the wolves watching them with quiet interest. Some nodded at Alfred, others averted their gazes, but all remained silent.

Alfred led her through the packhouse, moving with purpose. Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with questions she didn't have the answers to. What was happening? Why had he brought her here? What did he want from her?

Finally, they reached a large, ornate door at the end of the hallway. Alfred paused before it, turning to face her.

"This is where you'll stay," he said, his voice softer than before. "For now, you're safe."

Evelyn opened her mouth to protest, but Alfred cut her off with a raised hand.

"You'll be safe as long as you stay within these walls. But if you try to leave, the pack will find you. And I won't be able to protect you."

His words hung heavy in the air. Evelyn felt the weight of them, the threat behind them. She had no choice. She had to stay. For now.

Alfred opened the door, revealing a small room with a large bed and a simple wooden desk. It was plain, but comfortable. The warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth offered some comfort, but Evelyn could sense the underlying tension in the air.

"I'll leave you to rest," Alfred said, his voice still calm. "But don't try to run. You'll only make things worse for yourself."

He turned to leave, but Evelyn's voice stopped him.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice shaky. "Why did you bring me here? I'm nothing to you."

Alfred paused, his back still to her. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, without turning around, he spoke.

"You're not nothing. You're everything."

With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him. Evelyn was alone in the room. The weight of his words hung in the air, filling the space with a suffocating tension.

She sank onto the bed, her head spinning with confusion. The storm of emotions swirling inside her- fear, anger, and something else, something darker- threatened to overwhelm her.

She didn't understand what was happening. But she knew one thing for sure: her life was never going to be the same again.