The Moon forbidden mate

TER

at flickered like specters against the canvas of their tents. The air was thick with the scent of burning pine and the heavy musk of unwashed bod

oods," Zeon chided, glancing t

ature. Jennifer shrank back, her heart hammering against her ribs. She'd trusted him-trusted Zeon with

aid to one of the burly men

ng her wrists, her mind racing. If Zeon wanted her gone, there wouldn't be many more sunrises

she whispered when Zeon passed

ntments," he replied cold

idea sparked within her-a risky, desperate plan. When night fell complet

making sure her voice carried a note of defeat.

ed, leaving her in the c

p: the softening snores, the slackened grips on weapons. Her own pulse thrummed

ree. She crawled toward Zeon's tent, the ground cold and unyielding beneath her palms. Her fingers c

she stepped away from the sleeping forms of the hunters. He hadn't consi

are look back, for fear that hesitation would snatch her newfound freedom from her grasp. Ahead lay the trea

ame tasting like poison on her tongu

the trees, a wraith borne away on the whisp

the lingering tendrils of sleep reluctantly releasing their hold. Blinking away the remnants of

e. Panic gripped their hearts, their breath catching in shallow gasps. The hunters frantical

He had underestimated Jennifer's determination and cunning. His arrogance had blindf

eps echoing through the ancient trees. Branches snapped

t illumination, and branches whipped at her face as she fled from the snapping jaws and guttural growls of distant werewolf hunters. She could still feel the s

ed to herself, stumbling over

, young one," an unexpected voice ras

ted into the darkness where a figure emerged, hunched and cloaked in tattered robes that blended w

a mix of command and plea,

by age. He stepped closer, revealing a snout more gray than black and sca

manded, her heart thundering aga

arms as if to show her his harmless

wolf." Jennifer's words were laced with suspicion

by his own kind." His chuckle was dry as autumn

Her gaze never left his, sear

o hunt our kind with such hatred." He stepped closer, and she tensed, but his nex

Zeon?" Suspicion flared

ling to listen." The old werewolf sighed, a sound filled with the weight of y

ked as she lowered her guard, just a

' traps and their prying eyes." He extended a clawed hand, not a