The moon was big and bright, shining down through the trees. Elara Voss hid in the bushes with her bow ready. She was just supposed to watch the border, look for any wolves, and go home. Nothing big but tonight felt wrong. The air was too quiet.Then she heard it a low growl. Not one wolf, a whole pack.Elara stayed low. Moonlight hit the leader first. A huge black wolf with silver in his fur. His eyes glowed amber. He was massive and strong. She knew who he was.Thorne Blackwood. The Alpha King of the Ironfang Pack. The one people whispered about. The one who took what he wanted.Elara pulled her bow tighter. One good shot could slow him down. She could run before she could fire, a gray wolf jumped from the side. She shot fast. The arrow grazed it. The wolf yelped and turned.Then they were all around her.Elara ran behind a big log. She shot again. Hit something. But it wasn't enough.A deep voice spoke. "Stop."Everything went quiet.Elara looked up. Thorne stood there nowbin human form. Tall, naked from shifting. Scars covered his chest. Black hair messy. Eyes locked right on her hiding spot."Come out, huntress," he said. "Or we come get you."She stayed still. Another arrow ready.He laughed a little. "I can smell you."He moved fast. Jumped the log. Landed right in front of her. She swung her bow at him. He grabbed it. Threw it away.Elara pulled her knife. Slashed his arm. Blood came out. He didn't even blink.He grabbed her wrist. Twisted. The knife fell. His other hand went around her throat not hard, just holding her."Let go," she said through her teeth."No."She tried to knee him. He blocked it. Pushed her back against the log. His body pinned hers. His leg between her legs so she couldn't kick."Give up," he said."No."He leaned in close. Smelled her hair. Then he stopped moving."Mate," he whispered. Like he couldn't believe it.Something hot rushed through Elara's body. Her stomach flipped. Her skin felt too warm. She didn't want it, but her body moved toward him a little.No way.She slammed her head into his face. His nose crunched. He grunted. His grip loosened. She twisted free. Ran two steps.He tackled her. Pinned her face-down in the dirt. Hands grabbed her wrists behind her back. Rope came out a silver rope. It burned her skin."Get off me!"Thorne pulled her up. "You're coming with us."The other wolves shifted back to human. They watched quietly. Someone threw Thorne some pants. He put them on."Why me?" Elara asked, struggling."Because the moon picked you." He lifted her over his shoulder like she was nothing. His hand held her thigh tight. "And I need you."She hit his back. It did nothing.They walked through the forest for a long time. Branches scratched her face. Her ribs hurt from the fall.Soon she saw it Ironfang Keep. Tall black walls. Torches everywhere. Big gates opened. Guards bowed as Thorne carried her inside.He went up stairs. Kicked open a door. Dropped her on a big bed with dark furs.She scrambled back.Thorne stood in the doorway. "Stay here. Tomorrow night is the marking. Full moon.""What marking?"He touched his neck. "I bite you. We bond. You become mine.""I'm human.""You won't be after." He stepped closer. "You feel it already. Don't pretend."She did feel it. Heat in her body. Skin too sensitive. She crossed her arms to hide it."I feel nothing but wanting to kill you."He smiled a little. "We'll see."He left. Door locked.Elara sat on the bed. Her wrists burned from the rope, but she started working the knots anyway. Slow. Careful.Hours passed. She got tired. Lay down on the soft furs. They smelled like himnsmoke and woods.Sleep came. Dreams came too. His hands on her. His teeth on her neck. Heat everywhere.In the dream she didn't push him away.She pulled him closer.Morning would come soon. She'd find a way out.But right now the bond was quiet inside her waiting.
