Fated by the moon.

ir as she ran, her heart pounding in her chest, each breath coming in short, jagged gasps. Her legs burned, her muscles protesting the eff

the violence that plagued the world of wolves, was razed to the ground in a

he anguished cries of her people as they were torn apart. The Crescent

ushed herself up again, her eyes darting around, searching for a place to hide. Her heart screamed at her to k

e of dread never faded. She could feel

n 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

een exposed, and it ha

d to look to know they were there. She could hear their heavy footsteps, the rust

ind of cover. There. A thicket of brambles ahead, just a few

ne driving her beyond her limits. Her breath was ragged, her legs a

ore. 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 tr

ollowed by the thundering of paws agai

the dense underbrush. The sharp pain of the thorns tearing at her skin went unnoticed as she

n't know why the Crescent Pack had attacked. She didn't know why they

er, their keen senses searching for any sign of movement. Evelyn held her

mmanding, and full of authority. "S

ich, sending a strange shiver down her spine. It wasn't

Al

had heard it before, but she couldn't place where. It was a voice that had haunted her dreams, one tha

brush above her parted, and a pair of

fr

. The Alpha of the Bloodfang Pa

-something that made her blood run cold, even as it stirred s

dator hunting its prey. His presence was overwhelming, his power unmistakable. Evelyn's puls

couldn

gaze flicked to her bruised and bloodied face, and for the briefest moment, she thought

oice trembling despite her best efforts to

r the briefest of moments, but

sible thread tying her to the Alpha. It was a bond she had never wanted, never asked for,

ke velvet, but with an edge that made it

er legs wouldn't cooperate. She was trapped, caught between t

, her breath hitching.

into hers, his expression unreadable. Then, without a w

is fingers brushing against her

d Evelyn's world spun as her senses flared to life,

-

licable wave of warmth and discomfort coursing through her. She tried to pull back, to escape the sensation

er of something beneath the cold exterior. It was an

pered, her voice barely audible over

ng almost immediately. He stood tall, his imposing figure blocking the little light

ve already been marked. Whether you accept it or not,

he 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 o

as if to dispel the thought. "Y

the kind of smile that reassured her; rather, it was filled with a qu

yn could hear the underlying threat. "You've already been marked by the full

lves reached her ears. The pack was close now. She could feel them closin

tion. Evelyn's stomach churned. She had no idea how many wolves were out there, but sh

y, his voice cutting throu

, his hand surprisingly gentle around her wrist. He didn't give her time to question, didn't ask if she was ready. H

ir. Evelyn could hear the wolves closing in, their growls and sniffs growing louder with each passing s

?" she gasped, stru

line as he pushed through the thick foliage. "

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 con

aid, her voice trembling with a mixture of

ning to face her. His golden eyes flicked to hers, his gaze piercing an

ck will not stop hunting you. They know what you are, and they will kill you to p

of confusion and anger. "I don't need yo

asked, his tone so calm that it made Evelyn want to scream. "You've barely

ed her, and though she hated to admit it, she was terrified. Terrified of what they would do to her, terr

umbled to keep up, but there was no escaping him. She was trapped. The further they moved t

of a large, imposing structure. The walls were tall and made of dark stone, bare

y reached the gates, two large wolves stood guard, their eyes glowing in the darkness. They

went on high alert. She could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on her as they moved through the halls, the wol

ded in her chest, her mind racing with questions she didn't have the answers t

door at the end of the hallway. Alfred

e said, his voice softer than

protest, but Alfred cut h

e walls. But if you try to leave, the pack will

the weight of them, the threat behind them.

n desk. It was plain, but comfortable. The warmth of the fire crackling in the hea

voice still calm. "But don't try to run.

e, but Evelyn's v

ce shaky. "Why did you bring

For a long moment, he said nothing.

othing. You'r

elyn was alone in the room. The weight of his words hung

e storm of emotions swirling inside her- fear, anger, and s

. But she knew one thing for sure: her l