Hearts bound by Moon

hifted for the first time. The wildness, the hunger, the need to run and howl under the full moon-it was overwhelming. But Kael promised she could learn to control it, t

apart, and more like a fierce protector waiting for her command.And then, there was Kael.She found herself watching him more and more. The way his dark eyes held secrets and sadness she didn't understand. The way his voice softened when he gave instructions, as if he was talking to something fragile but precious. The way his hand would brush against hers accidentally-or maybe not so accidentally-and send a shiver straight to her heart.Luna didn't want to admit it, not even to herself, but she was drawn to him. It was more than the wolf's instinct, more than pack loyalty. It was something deep and strange-a pull she couldn't explain.One evening, after a long day of training, Kael sat beside her by the fire. The other wolves were nearby, talking and laughing, but Luna barely noticed them. All she could see was Kael's face, lit by the flickering flames."I didn't think you'd last this long," he said quietly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.Luna blinked. "Why not?""Most humans don't have the strength to hold the wolf back. They let it take over, and then they're lost."She looked down at her hands. "I want to be stronger. I want to protect the pack."Kael's eyes softened. "You already do."That simple phrase made Luna's chest tighten. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but the words stuck in her throat.But not everyone in the pack was happy about Luna's growing closeness to Kael. A few of the other she-wolves started to look at her with narrowed eyes and cold smiles. Whispers followed her wherever she went."Who does she think she is?" one said under her breath. "Training with Kael like she's one of us.""She's just a human," another sneered. "He's the alpha. She should know her place."Luna tried to ignore the murmurs, but they stung. She could feel their