Chapter 9

The river should have been a barrier. But Evelyn’s paws didn’t stop as her body turned around, back towards the black wolf. Thick grass softened her pads as she walked closer to the river edge opposite the black wolf. Soft hooting sounds came from the trees as the owls came out to hunt, the moon was in full. Lighting up the exposed area next to the river like a silver sun.

She leapt—powerful muscles carrying her clean over the water in one graceful motion. Her landing barely disturbed the leaves beneath her. Her wolf was glowing with energy, elated, alive.

Behind her, the black wolf followed.

He didn’t rush. Didn’t snarl.

He moved like a shadow. Like gravity.

Trailing just close enough for her to feel him.

He let her lead.

Every time she twisted through the trees, he moved with her. Silent. Steady. A quiet force that stirred something violent and breathless in her chest.

Her wolf wasn’t pacing anymore. She was starving.

For the first time since she was born, Evelyn felt completely out of control of her own body. Not like when grief hit and made her collapse, not like when rage pulled her into bloodlust. This was… lower. Darker. More intimate.

Desire.

Pure, feral, unapologetic lust.

It flooded her like heat, coiling in her belly, creeping up her spine. Her wolf wasn’t trying to hide it, she wanted him. All of him. Not just his power. Not just his presence. She wanted his scent. His bite. His howl. She wanted to be close to him, her wolf needed him. 

Evelyn felt it all and it scared her.

Because part of her— deep down— wanted it too.

Desperately.

They ran for miles.

No words. Just wind and paws and the sound of him behind her, breathing like a storm about to break. He towered over her, his size unsettling but whenever she glanced back, he was there. Not chasing. Not forcing.

Following.

Respectful.

Present.

When they reached the clearing, her paws slowed instinctively. Moonlight poured between the trees in a silver wash, spilling across the moss and stone like an invitation. She stepped into the centre, her chest heaving. Emotions all over the place as she tried to regain a steady heartbeat, but her wolf wouldn't calm down. She was on the edge constantly, waiting for Evelyn to give her permission to meet her fated mate. 

Then he stopped at the edge.

And their eyes locked.

Her wolf turned to face him fully. Open and bold.

And he bowed.

Low. Deliberate. Neck bared, posture humble. Not like a man worshipping a goddess but like an Alpha acknowledging his equal. He wasn't throwing his power in her face like Adrian did, he was showing her his weakness.

The gesture undid something inside her.

Not her wolf.

Her.

Because no one had ever bowed to her before.

Not when she became Luna. Not when she buried her child.

Not once.

Her chest ached. He lifted his head, meeting her eyes again. And slowly—so slowly—he stepped forward.

Their circle began.

A quiet, wordless ritual.

He walked wide around her, sniffing the air, head low, never threatening. She mirrored him, paws silent, nose twitching with his scent. It filled her again—darkness, cedar and the earth after a thunderstorm. His eyes stayed on hers as they danced together under the starlit sky, the Moon Goddess showing her happiness through the light of the full moon. 

They circled twice.

Then three times.

Then they stopped.

A single breath passed between them.

And in it, Evelyn understood something she couldn’t explain.

He knew.

He knew exactly who she was. What she was. What had broken her and he didn’t care. How even though she had ran from a life that destroyed her, he could still be gentle with her. Not in a cruel way.

In the accepting way. He wanted her anyway dispite her trauma and past. 

Not because she was worn and tired, but because he could see the bottled up fire deep within her.

He turned, finally, and walked away—his tail flicking once, beckoning her to join him.

She hesitated, heart pounding in her chest, fur rippling with indecision. Then followed.

They walked through the woods together, side by side. Her wolf stayed calm now, no longer clawing at her insides with heat and desperation. There was still longing, still ache—but it had softened. Her wolf had stopped pacing and had finally relaxed, happy to be given the chance to finally meet him. Evelyn felt calm for the first time in a long time. 

Because he wasn’t taking anything from her. He was offering something. And that… changed everything.

They reached the edge of the village as the moon hung low. The bakery stood quiet, chimney cold, windows dark. He stopped at the treeline as she turned to look at him, still in her wolf form. Her eyes met his. No matter what fate may decide for her she wasn't ready. Not yet. She needed to finish what she started, she hoped her wolf and her new-found fated mate could understand this. For now she must be alone.

He nodded once. Then stepped back into the woods, silent as ever. She stood there for a long moment.

Watching.

Waiting.

Wanting.

Then she turned and stepped into the alley behind the bakery, the cool stone beneath her paws oddly grounding.

Her shift came slower this time—calmer.

No panic. No pain.

Just release. Her bones realigned. Her breath caught. Her heart cracked open in silence. When she stood human again, naked beneath the stars, her hands trembled. Not from fear. From the weight of what she had just seen. What she had felt.

And what she couldn’t deny anymore.

Her wolf had found her mate. Even though her heart was still torn about Sophia and burning with an eternal rage towards Adrian, she knew.

Now it was her turn to decide if she was ready to accept him.