MY HERO

SELENE

I walked aimlessly, the hospital behind me, and nothing but questions ahead. The bar, I ended up there again. I couldn't go inside. My heart pounded in my ears. What would I even say? "Hi, did anyone here sleep with a crying stranger five nights ago?"

So I watched. Watched the door open and close. Watched strangers laugh and forget their problems in a haze of alcohol. Watched people who belonged somewhere. I didn't belong anywhere.

After hours of loitering, I gave up and drifted. I crossed the Concave Moon pack's border, technically trespassing, but I no longer cared. My body ached, my shoes were worn down, and hunger chewed at my insides. That was when I found the tree.

Fruits hung low. My vision was blurry, but I reached for them, biting into one like my life depended on it because it did. I barely had time to catch my breath before angry voices erupted around me.

"You there! Step away from the goddess's tree!"

Three towering men closed in on me. I tried to speak but could barely form words.

"I… I didn't know…"

They didn't care. "She's an outsider. Probably a thief. She ate from the sacred tree!"

"What?" I stammered. "I was just hungry."

"Silence!" one barked. "The punishment is death."

Death. There it was again. I didn't fight it. Didn't cry. Just nodded. Maybe it was finally time.

They dragged me across the territory toward a modest Alpha's house. It was shockingly small. My father wasn't even Alpha, yet our house was triple the size. These people lived simply.

"She ate from the goddess' tree," they told the Alpha.

He was an older man with a thick beard and stern eyes.

"Young woman, is it true?" he asked.

"I… yes," I whispered.

He stood. "There is only one punishment for that."

"Death!" the guards shouted in unison.

Tears brimmed in my eyes, but none fell. I had cried too much already.

"Take her to the chopper," the Alpha ordered.

They dragged me out, rough and fast. I thought it was the end. Until a voice cut through the air.

"Where are you taking her?"

A man. Tall, commanding. Maybe mid-twenties. He stepped in front of the guards.

"To the chopper. She broke our laws," they said.

"What did she do?"

"She ate the goddess's fruit."

"Let her go."

There was silence. Tension.

"She committed a capital offense," one guard protested.

"Let Her. Go," the man repeated, voice like steel.

They obeyed. Just like that. I stumbled as they released me. He stepped closer and whispered, "Wait here."

He walked into the Alpha's chambers. I watched through the window, heart thudding.

When he returned, I was still waiting, too stunned to run.

"Come with me," he said gently.

---

I woke up in a strange room. Clean sheets. Soft pillows. A floral scent in the air. I panicked.

"Good morning," a familiar voice said.

I sat up, wrapping the sheets around me. "Who are you? Why did you bring me here?"

"Easy," he said. "You fell asleep waiting for me. I brought you somewhere safe."

"Safe?" I laughed bitterly. "Last time I was safe, I ended up pregnant and homeless."

He blinked. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I looked at him properly then. The man was… beautiful. Muscular, tall, messy black curls and ocean-blue eyes. Not just attractive. Striking. But I didn't trust beauty anymore.

"No," I replied, crossing my arms.

"Fair," he said. "Bathroom's that way. Breakfast is served if you want some."

He turned to leave.

"Wait," I called. "You didn't… I mean… nothing happened between us?"

His face twisted in confusion. "No. You were half-dead from exhaustion. You slept for almost a full day."

Relief flooded me. "Thank you."

I took a hot shower. The scent of lavender and rose clung to me. When I came out, his clothes, sweatpants, and a hoodie were folded on the bed.

I joined him in the kitchen. It was modest. Clean.

"I'm wearing your clothes," I said sheepishly.

He tried to hold in a laugh, then failed.

"I look ridiculous, don't I?"

"You look…" He chuckled. "Comfortable."

We laughed together. It felt strange. But warm.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"You didn't tell me yours either," he countered.

"Selene."

"Jeff."

His name suited him. Strong and kind.

I started clearing the table, and then, of course, I slipped. Water on the floor. Plates flew out of my hands.

I braced for pain, but it never came. Jeff caught me midair, one arm around my waist, the other behind my head.

Our eyes met. Our breaths synced and it was magical.

'Mate?' my wolf whispered.

No. It couldn't be. But something clicked. Something unspoken.

"Who are you?" I breathed.

He smiled. "Just Jeff."

Then boom.

A loud explosion outside shattered the moment.

To be continued…