The night the rival pack came, the moon was red.
Not fully crimson. Just tinted enough to make the snow glow strangely beneath its light. Jane stood near Granny's window, staring at the forest, her chest tight with unease.
She felt it before it happened.
A sharp pull inside her chest. Pain mixed with warning. Her heartbeat spiked violently.
Something was wrong.
She grabbed her coat and rushed outside, breath fogging in the cold air.
"Alex," she whispered.
The bond answered.
Not with words. With direction.
Her feet carried her toward the forest line without hesitation. The pull was stronger than fear now.
She didn't see them at first.
She heard them.
Footsteps. Fast. Heavy. Not human.
Jane turned sharply.
Three men stepped out from behind the trees. Their eyes glowed faintly gold. Their bodies were tense, dangerous, predatory.
Rival wolves.
"You shouldn't wander alone, Luna blood," one of them said with a cruel smile.
Jane stepped backward.
"I don't belong to you," she said, trying to sound strong.
The tallest one laughed. "Not yet. But you will."
Before she could run, one of them grabbed her arm.
Jane screamed.
The forest exploded with sound.
A roar tore through the trees.
Alex burst from the shadows like a storm. His eyes were glowing silver. His expression was pure fury.
"Let her go," he growled.
The wolves released Jane instantly, stepping back cautiously.
"This Luna is unclaimed," the leader said. "She is free territory."
Alex stepped in front of Jane without hesitation.
"She is mine," he said coldly.
"You have not completed the ceremony," the rival Alpha smirked. "That makes her vulnerable."
Alex's body shifted slightly, muscles tightening, barely holding back his wolf.
"You touch her again," Alex said, voice low and deadly, "and I will tear your pack apart."
The tension snapped.
The rival Alpha lunged.
The forest erupted into chaos.
Jane stumbled backward as wolves shifted mid-air. Fur exploded from skin. Bones cracked. Massive shapes collided violently.
Alex's wolf was enormous. Silver-black fur. Burning eyes. Powerful and controlled even in rage.
He fought with precision.
The rival Alpha tried to overpower him.
Alex didn't let him.
Within minutes, the rival pack retreated, wounded and terrified.
Silence fell again.
Jane stood shaking.
Alex shifted back into human form quickly, breathing hard. The moment his eyes met Jane's, all the rage disappeared.
He rushed to her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked urgently, scanning her body.
Jane shook her head, tears burning her eyes.
"They tried to take me," she whispered.
Alex pulled her into his arms without hesitation.
Jane melted into his chest.
The warmth. The safety. The smell of him. Everything felt overwhelming.
"I promised I would protect you," he said into her hair. "And I will. Always."
Jane clutched his jacket tightly.
"I was so scared," she admitted.
Alex pulled back slightly and cupped her face with both hands.
"You are not alone anymore," he said firmly. "Not ever again."
Their eyes locked.
The bond surged violently.
Jane felt it spread through her body like fire.
She stepped closer.
Alex didn't resist this time.
Their lips crashed together.
The kiss was hungry. Desperate. Loaded with emotion. Jane's hands grabbed his jacket, pulling him closer. Alex's arms wrapped around her waist tightly, lifting her slightly off the ground.
The world disappeared.
Only heat remained.
Only need.
Alex kissed her deeply, slowly, tasting every breath she gave him. His forehead pressed against hers when he finally pulled back, both of them breathing hard.
"If I don't stop," he whispered, "I will mark you right here."
Jane's heart pounded wildly.
"Then don't stop," she whispered back.
Alex closed his eyes briefly, struggling.
"No," he said softly. "You deserve the ceremony. You deserve the pack to witness your rise."
Jane nodded, even though part of her wanted him to ignore reason.
"I want to be your Luna," she said quietly. "Not because of blood. Because I choose you."
Alex's chest tightened visibly.
"You have no idea what that does to me," he said.
Jane smiled faintly. "Then show me at the ceremony."
Alex brushed his thumb across her cheek.
"I will prepare everything by tomorrow night," he said. "Under the full moon."
Jane swallowed.
"Nervous?" he asked.
"Yes," she admitted. "But excited too."
Alex leaned in and kissed her forehead gently.
"Tomorrow," he said, "you stop being hunted."
Jane looked into his eyes.
"And start being claimed?"
Alex smiled slowly.
"No," he said. "You start being crowned."
Jane's breath caught.
The Luna ceremony was coming.
And her life was about to change forever.