Fated by the moon.

hearth had dwindled to nothing but embers, casting long shadows across the room. For a moment, she lay stil

hoed in her mind.

ing all at once, unsettled her. It was as though every fiber of her being was responding to him, despite the fact that everything in

d in her chest as she rose from the bed and walked to the small window. Outside, the dense forest stretched endle

, she w

Alfred stood in the doorway, framed by the dim light from the ha

s voice low and rich, thoug

by the image of Alfred and his pack, their eyes cold and distant. She had thought about escapin

ice steady despite the fluttering anxiety in he

, closing the door behind him. "But

feeling vulnerable in his presence. "I'm

nfazed by her defiance. "You'll lis

w everything. As if he held all the cards. She had nothing to bargai

he replied, her voice colder

dn't ask for this fate, but it's yours now. The Crescent Pack will not stop hunting

fear in her chest gnawed at her. "I'm not

but only for a moment. "Trust

eally think I'd just accept whatever you

rners of his mouth. "You don't know me, but you will. I

htened. "Why?

considering his words. When he spoke, his

the moon. You're not just any hybrid, Evelyn. You're the key to

her ribcage. "What do you mea

crossed the room, his steps measured and delib

alm but firm. "But I will. In time. But you need to understand something.

talking about. Important? She had nothing to offer him. She had no power, no claim to anyth

in his words-it made her question everyt

voice shaking now. "I'm not part of your pack. I'm

the air like a blade. "You think I want this for you? You think I want to

d to scream, to fight back, to demand answers. But the weight of e

aw something else in him-something vulnerable,

d quietly. "But you need to understand, Evelyn. T

throat dry. "What d

ntler in them this time. "I want you to survive. That's all. But surviving me

mises, or of the strange connection she felt toward him. But she knew one thing for sure: her life was no

she asked, her voi

ow? Now we prepare. The Crescent Pack

Evelyn could feel the weight of Alfred's gaze, the same gaze that had both unsettled and

e talking about a battle? What kind of war was he r

she could speak, there was a knock on the door. Alfred tur

nded, his voice f

g eyes that seemed to take in every detail of the room. His stance was relaxed, but there was an unmistakable aura of

oice low but respectful. "The pack is ready. We've secured

oval in his eyes. "Good," he said simply. "Ensure that the borders

conflict. She didn't want to be anyone's prize or pawn. She wanted to be left alo

oked back at Alfred. "Understood. But Alpha," he hesitated, his voice a

ff with a sharp

ed on his deferential tone-n

but Alfred's voice

dy tense as he waited f

he situation. The Crescent Pack will not be our only threat for long. T

lightly. "Of course, Alph

room, leaving Evelyn

her, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "The pack is r

the situation pressed heavily on her chest. "I'm not yours, Alfred. I did

have to be a part of my pack to be under my protection. But whether you like it or not, your f

tiny that was being thrust upon her, but she couldn't deny the truth in Alfred's words. The Crescent Pack

r voice tinged with frustration

re a hybrid- one of the rarest and most dangerous kinds of werewolves. But your bloodline, your herita

reeled. "Chang

what you can become. And they want to use it for their own ends. But you're mine to protect. And

She had never wanted to be part of this world of pack politics and wars. She ju

ing with a mixture of fear and anger. "I didn't ch

calming. "None of us choose our fates, Evelyn. But we can choose

tay here for now, in this strange, oppressive place, under the protection of a man she

with more conviction than she felt. "I don't

asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to trust your instincts. Trust th

mind. There was something about him- something magnetic and dangerous- th

g. "For now, get some rest. We'll begin your training tomorr

ut she didn't need to. H

way as he paused one last time. "Remember, Evelyn, the Cresc

n alone in the dimly lit room, her mi

And yet, as the moonlight filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the floor, Eve