The first change came with the moonrise.
Lila felt it before she saw it — a low hum beneath her skin, like warmth spreading through her veins. She stood at the edge of the forest with Kael beside her, the silver light brushing against her face, pulling at something deep inside her chest.
"Do you feel that?" she whispered.
Kael's jaw tightened. "Yes."
The word didn't comfort her.
They weren't alone. Wolves circled at a distance, shadows slipping between trees. Members of Kael's pack. Watching. Judging.
"She shouldn't be here," a voice muttered.
Lila stiffened.
Kael stepped forward instantly. "Enough."
A tall wolf shifted into human form — broad-shouldered, dark-haired, eyes sharp with barely concealed resentment. "You brought a marked human into pack territory, Alpha. Selene was right to question it."
"This is my decision, Rowan," Kael said coldly.
Rowan's gaze slid to Lila, lingering too long. "She smells like you."
Heat crept up Lila's neck. Kael's growl was instant — deep, dangerous.
"Watch your tone."
Rowan lifted his hands mockingly. "I'm only stating facts. The bond is already forming. That makes her a liability."
Something snapped inside Lila.
Before she could stop herself, the warmth in her chest flared. The ground beneath Rowan's feet cracked slightly, roots bursting upward, forcing him back.
Gasps rippled through the pack.
Lila stumbled, clutching her chest. "I—I didn't mean—"
Kael was at her side in a heartbeat, steadying her. "Easy," he murmured. "Breathe."
Rowan stared at her, shock replacing his arrogance. "She moved the earth."
Selene's voice cut through the clearing. "Lunar-blooded," she said, emerging from the shadows. "Just as I warned."
Kael rounded on her. "You're enjoying this."
"I'm acknowledging reality," Selene replied calmly. "Her power will grow. And power attracts challenge."
Lila's hands trembled. "I didn't want to hurt anyone."
Selene studied her. "The moon doesn't care what you want. It only answers what you are."
Kael cupped Lila's face gently, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Listen to me. You're not dangerous. You're untrained."
The word stung more than she expected.
Rowan scoffed. "Then train her. Or sever the bond before it becomes permanent."
Silence fell.
Lila looked sharply at Kael. "Sever?"
Kael's eyes darkened. "That's not happening."
Selene tilted her head. "You hesitate because you're already too close."
Kael didn't deny it.
Another wave surged through Lila — not anger this time, but fear. The moonlight intensified, the air thickening around her. Images flooded her mind: running through the forest, senses sharp, heart wild… Kael beside her, always beside her.
"I can feel it," she whispered. "The pull."
Kael's voice dropped, raw. "So can I."
The pack shifted uneasily. Bonds like this were rare. Dangerous. Unstable.
Rowan stepped forward again. "Alpha, if she loses control—"
"She won't," Kael snapped. "Because I won't let her."
Lila turned to him. "What if I hurt you?"
Kael didn't hesitate. "Then I'll still stand here."
Something inside her broke — and reformed stronger.
The moon flared overhead.
Lila gasped as power surged through her, silver light curling around her arms like mist. The wolves backed away instinctively.
"Lila," Kael said firmly. "Anchor to me. Look at me."
She did — and the chaos quieted.
The light faded. The forest stilled.
Selene exhaled softly. "Remarkable."
Rowan said nothing, but the jealousy in his eyes burned brighter than before.
Kael wrapped his jacket around Lila's shoulders, pulling her close. "This ends tonight," he told the pack. "She's under my protection. Anyone who challenges that… challenges me."
No one spoke.
Later, when the forest emptied and only moonlight remained, Lila finally found her voice. "You'd risk everything for me."
Kael's thumb brushed her jaw, tender and dangerous all at once. "I already am."
Her heart pounded. "Kael… this bond—"
He leaned in, stopping just short of her lips. "If I claim you fully," he said quietly, "there's no going back."
She searched his eyes, fear and longing twisting together. "Then don't let it be a mistake."
Kael's breath hitched.
The moon watched.
And somewhere in the dark, jealousy began to grow teeth.