*POV: Nyla*
I woke up tangled in warmth, my head resting against Damon's chest. His heartbeat was steady—like thunder softened by distance. The events of the night before played on loop in my mind. Every kiss, every touch, every moan… It had been raw. Real. Intoxicating.
My body ached in the best way, but my heart? It felt… full.
Damon's arm tightened around me as if he knew I was awake. I tilted my head up and met his eyes—soft now, glowing with an emotion I couldn't name.
"Regret it?" he asked, voice husky from sleep.
I traced his jaw with my finger. "Not even close."
His smirk was lazy and satisfied. "Good. Because that wasn't just a one-night thing, Nyla."
Something tightened in my chest. "Then what was it?"
His eyes darkened, serious now. "It was the beginning."
I was about to ask what he meant when the peaceful morning shattered.
A howl. Long. Low. Piercing.
Then another. Closer.
Damon sat up instantly, all softness replaced by Alpha instinct. "Shit."
"What is it?"
He was already moving, grabbing his jeans. "Rouges."
My blood ran cold.
He glanced at me as he dressed. "Stay inside. Lock the door. Don't open it for anyone but me or Kaden. Understand?"
"But—"
"Nyla." His voice was firm. "This isn't a game."
He was gone before I could say more.
*POV: Damon*
The moment I heard the second howl, I knew they'd crossed the boundary.
Rouges weren't just wild wolves—they were broken. Cursed by exile, driven by hunger and hate. And one had come dangerously close to town.
As I shifted mid-run, fur overtaking skin, my mind stayed on her—Nyla. If this was more than a random trespass, if someone had scented her…
I wouldn't let them get near her.
I reached the patrol line and found two of my pack wolves injured—Kaden was snarling, already shifting back into human form.
"Three rouges," he spat. "Came from the east woods. They ran the moment we engaged."
"They're testing us," I growled. "Watching."
Kaden nodded grimly. "Or they're looking for something."
Or someone.
My claws dug into the dirt.
Nyla wasn't just new to Moonshade. She was new to this world—and someone out there already knew she didn't belong.
And that made her the perfect target.
---