Chapter 2 – An Unexpected Claim

                He stared at me for what felt like a century, the kind of stare that makes you wonder if you’ve got spinach stuck between your teeth or if your entire existence has just been reduced to a science experiment.

                His gaze was so intense I half-expected him to announce my blood type and favorite childhood snack.

                Then, out of nowhere, a shiver ran across his ridiculously muscular frame, like even his abs had caught a chill and he sucked in a breath so sharp I thought he might be auditioning for a dramatic opera. His nostrils flared in a way that screamed “wolfy cologne commercial,” and his expression shifted into something between shock, delight, and the look of a man who just realized his pizza delivery arrived twenty minutes early.

                “What’s your name and where do you come from?”

                His voice was deep enough to rattle the cave walls, and honestly, it sent a shiver down my spine that I did not sign up for. My toes curled like they were trying to hide from the sound, and I immediately decided eye contact was overrated.

                The air thickened, heavy with invisible drama, and I had the distinct impression that the universe had just tilted sideways, probably laughing at me.

                “Ana Perreira,” I responded obediently, softer than I intended. “I’m a lone wolf.”

                My eyes locked on the cave floor, which was rough, rocky, and suddenly fascinating, because looking at him felt like volunteering for emotional whiplash. A strange current surged through me, and I thought, ‘Ah yes, this must be fear’, though it felt suspiciously like stage fright mixed with the dread of forgetting your lines in front of a very judgmental audience.

                                “Ana, don’t you feel it?”

I blinked, confused, and managed to raise my gaze only as far as his nose.

                 “What?” I whispered, wondering if this was some kind of mystical pop quiz.

                “How old are you? You’ve already shifted, so you must be at least eighteen.”

                He cursed under his breath, which sounded like a bear growling at bad Wi-Fi, and then lunged toward me with hands outstretched. My body, apparently smarter than my brain, dodged before I even processed the move.

                “You’re a hybrid!” he suddenly declared, his voice exploding with joy like he’d just won the supernatural lottery.

                His grin spread across his face, smug and satisfied, and he stepped closer with the kind of presence that screamed main character energy.

                “I am Romani Evant. How glad I am to have finally met you. A hybrid! The Moon Goddess has answered my prayers!” His voice vibrated with so much enthusiasm I half-expected confetti to rain down from the cave ceiling.

                “Exactly right and just in time!” he boomed, clapping his hands together so loudly the cave echoed like it was hosting a rock concert.

                I frowned, stepping back, because his reaction was confusing at best and terrifying at worst. If I was supposed to be his miracle, why did it feel like I’d just been drafted into a game I didn’t want to play?

                Was he a hunter?

                Was there a bounty on my head? Had I missed the latest gossip while away from the Moonlight Walkers?

                Probably. My luck was terrible like that.

                “Sir,” I said, sharper than I meant, “explain yourself. Honestly, I’m not thrilled to meet you, and your enthusiasm is wasted on me.”

                He opened his mouth, then closed it again, like a man who had just realized his dramatic speech needed editing.

                Discouraged, I sighed and turned toward the waterfall, ready to relocate because clearly this cave had been downgraded from ‘safe hideout’ to ‘awkward encounter central.’

                “Stay here!”

                His command burst out, raw and dominant. He blocked my path with his imposing figure, which was impressive but also extremely irritating.

                “Where do you think you’re going?”

                My patience snapped.

                I had left my pack precisely because I hated being bossed around, and here was Mr. Muscles trying to snatch my autonomy like it was a free sample at the market.

                “Sir, you have nothing to do with me. You were here first, so fine, take the cave. It’s yours!”

                Just as I prepared to dive into the water, he grabbed my arm, his grip firm enough to remind me that he was stronger, but not painful. Still, it was enough to trigger my wolf.

                My claws elongated, my fangs slid past my lips, and Era partially shifted, muscles tensing like she was warming up for a fight.

                I knew he was stronger, so I whispered an illusion mantra, blowing thick smoke toward him. Era lashed out blindly, claws swiping through the mist, while I pressed myself against the wall, hoping the spell would confuse him. To my delight, he looked everywhere but at me, shaking his head like a man trapped in a carnival funhouse.

                I chuckled, smug, because this mantra was my favorite. He saw me everywhere but couldn’t catch me, and his frustration was delicious. This was my chance to escape his overbearing dominance.

                I turned toward the water, but to my horror, a jackal had leapt in and was now swimming against the current, claws scraping at a rock. My shock froze me, and in that moment Romani’s hand clamped around my neck, firm but not cruel, just enough to remind me he was in control.

                “Were you heading somewhere after all?” he teased, his voice dripping with mockery, like he was enjoying my panic. He followed my gaze to the water.

                “Was he chasing you?” Romani asked, calm as if this was his daily routine. “Let me enlighten you. That’s no animal, that’s a shaman. These abominations can shift into animal forms. He wanted to capture you. Hybrids are highly sought after. You’re exactly the type he needs for his evil crafts.”

My jaw dropped, words tumbling out in disbelief. “Sought after? Evil craft? Really?”

                                “Yes. But he won’t get you. You are mine!”

                An icy ripple ran down my spine, colder than the cave itself.

                His words echoed in my head, ominous and heavy, reminding me of the Alpha I had fled.        My freedom suddenly felt fragile, like a soap bubble about to pop.