Filed to story: When The Moon Hides Crown
A perfect little gift from the forest gods.
Silently, I climbed the nearest tree, clinging to the trunk like a cat. My hands found the weakened branch….and with one strong jerk, I broke it toose.
The branch crashed to the ground with a deafening crack.
Below, Dante’s wolf form skidded to a halt, muscles tensing, head snapping toward the sound
Perfect.
Before he could spot me, I launched myself into the neighboring tree, keeping high and out of reach. The branches swayed, but I moved with them, keeping my body fluid and silent like a shadow.
If I could keep misleading him, keep him chasing ghosts, he’d waste precious energy and time.
“Let’s see if you’re still so eager when the tables turn, Dante.’
I swung from branch to branch, deeper into the heart of the deadly Blackmoon Forest.Hours blurred into each other but my search for a bison continued With each passing second I became desperate because i had been running out of time. At the same time Phina had been demanding to shift and make our search quick. I also wanted to do it but the risk of being exposed was like a sword at my neck.
The Blackmoon Forest was alive with chaos. Snarls, growls, and the clash of teeth and claws echoed through the trees.
I moved like a whisper through the dense undergrowth, my senses sharpened, always one breath away from danger. Twice, I slipped past dueling Alphas locked in brutal fights with their assigned prey-a huge boar thrashing a boy into the mud, an Alpha wolf desperately fending off a mountain lion with bloody claws.
I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.
“Where is this bison!” I growled under my breath while glancing around once in a while to make sure no one was following me.
I climbed rocky ridges, slid through muddy valleys, and even waded through a shallow, ice-cold stream to further throw off my scent.
The night deepened around me, and time ticked dangerously away.
My muscles ached, and my stomach twisted in hollow hunger, but finally-finally-my efforts paid off.
A sharp, distinct sign.
A huge, cloven hoof print stamped deep into the damp earth.
My heart leapt.
Bison.
I crouched, tracing the wide print with my fingers, feeling the heavy pressure left behind. Nearby, I spotted broken branches at shoulderheight-far higher than any wolf or deer could reach. The beast had passed through not long ago.
“We are close,” I said to Phina.
“Yes, let’s hunt it,” Phina growled.
Excitement flared through my veins.
I could do this. I could catch up, bring it down, and win.
But just as I took off after the trail, weaving through the thickening trees, a low growl rumbled to my left.
I skidded to a halt, whipping my head around.
Emerging from the misted darkness, muscles rippling under his dark black coat, was a massive wolf with familiar cold, violet, furious eyes.
Ronan.
His wolf form stood tall, blocking my path, the raw fury in his gaze making me hold my breath.
He found me.
SERAPHINA
I wanted to avoid it. I truly did. I wanted to avoid Ronan tonight, but it seemed destiny had other plans for us.
Still, I didn’t back down. I never had. I never would.
Every instinct inside me screamed-to shift, to fight-because deep down, I knew this Alpha was here to kill me.
I squared my shoulders and met Ronan’s wolf stare head-on.
” know now,” I rasped, my voice slicing through the heavy silence. “It wasn’t Asher who touched me.”
His ears twitched sharply, his body going rigid.
“I made a mistake. No… I misunderstood,” I said, voice steady. “But I won’t explain myself. Whatever I say, you won’t believe it. It’ll sound Like an excuse-as if I’m afraid of fighting, of dying… of you.”
I lifted my chin higher and murmured, “So let’s end this quickly.”
I dropped into a fighting stance. “I have a hunt to finish after all.”
For a heartbeat, the forest froze.
i braced myself, ready for him to pounce, to attack-or worse. Instead, the Alpha took a step toward me.
Then another.
And another.
Closing the distance between us.
I stiffened.
What was he doing?
Then-
A blur of silver.
I barely had time to gasp before the black wolf lunged. His heavy body crashed into mine, slamming me hard against the damp earth.
A snarl tore from my lips, but it was already too late.
His massive paws pinned my wrists to the ground, his weight caging me in completely.