a sense of belonging. After all, I was Luna now, the chosen mate of Darius Thorn, Alpha of the Crescent Moon

ould still feel the brush of his hand, the warmth of his chest pressed against mine, the storm in his silver-blue eyes. Every time I clos

d commanding, his presence impossible to ignore. The pack had begun to speak of our bond in hushed, reverent tones. The Luna an

ould have centered me, aligned me with Darius, but I felt off. My wolf growled beneath my skin, restless, impatient, drawn toward something beyond

er

had no claim to him, no right to him. And yet, he lingered i

aid a word. Darius only raised a brow, a subtle warning, the kind that made my stomach twist. He didn't scold me.

verlooked the forest edge. My wolf whispered to me, urging me to g

to remind myself of dut

familiar scent-metallic, pine, earth-I

hed the old hollow we had used the night before. He leaned against a tree, arms crossed, as though waiting. His silver-bl

" he said softly, not w

lied, my voice low, steady

"You're reckless. I

away," I whispered

f before I could finish. "The Moon is c

itched to touch him again, to feel that connection that the Moon

ead. "Careful

freeze: footsteps-soft, deliberate, and approaching fast. Rog

pulling him into the hol

shadow himself. I crouched low, holding my breath, l

hing move," o

r replied. "The Luna's

ammering, my wolf howling silently within.

red once the danger had passed.

id. "And I

s. He always knew. Always. His gaze found mine as I steppe

id quietly, his voice low en

ng a smile. "The ceremony... the

of hair from my face. "You belong to

eath the surface, warning me, telling me the truth: I di

oon's silver light streamed through the window, illuminating the delicate lines of the bond. I

ut of reach, always in motion, always calling me toward the forest, toward the unkno

istraction," about my seeming detachment from duties. Darius noticed the murmurs but said nothing. He didn't n

ot ignore the rogue

, safety, power, and the man I was bound to love. The other led to danger, desi

every choice I made would have consequences

I made my decision. I would see him again. I woul

n't choose safety. The

was alr