CHAPTER TWO

We walked through the quiet forest, hearing sounds from the trees. As we went deeper, it became darker, and I began to feel scared.

"Elara! Elara!" Mr. Kart's voice echoed among the trees.

I sighed with satisfaction, knowing I wasn't far from the search party. That motivated me to continue moving.

"I'm here!" I said.

As I went deeper into the forest, I felt completely lost in the forest and torchlights of the others faded away and I was left all alone in the dark forest. I moved deeper into the forest, breathing faster than normal. My footsteps sounded too loud on the crunchy leaves. I didn't stop until I found a small clearing. A beam of light fell through the trees. My legs hurt and I felt less scared. I went over, sat in the light, and hugged my knees.

"Just for a minute," I said quietly to myself.

Everywhere was quiet. Then, fog started to rise and surround me. I blinked, wondering if I was dreaming. Then I saw a figure made from the fog. It wasn't human or animal. It glowed with a strange light that felt familiar, like the woman from my dream. My heart pounded in my chest.

"Who….who are you?" I asked with my lips hardly moving.

The figure turned its head, its eyes shining. Its voice wasn't heard in the air, but rather in my mind: old, and wonderful.

"You heard the call of the forest, child of the Moon."

The words sank deep within me, like if they had always been there. I wanted to respond and ask what it meant, but the fog increased until I couldn't see.

And then, I heard someone shout from far away,

"Elara! Elara, are you there?"

I turned toward the sound, but before I could respond, the thing vanished. The fog disappeared, and the forest returned to its peace.

I blinked and realized I was lying on the grass. My hands trembled, and I breathed fast.

Was dreaming again?

AIDEN’S POV:

I have been tracking the rogue wolf trail since dawn. Its scent was everywhere. It was a mix of dirt, blood, and something else that made my own wolf uneasy. For days, it just went around the forest with no aim, like it was lost and angry. It was unusual for rogues to enter our territory unless someone pushed them.

All I could hear was my boots stepping on branches. The air smelled like dirt and pine trees.

That's when I noticed it… her scent.

It hit me all at once.

Soft, warm, and lively. The smell was so strong, it was a kind that takes over you and refuses to let go. I didn't just smell it. I felt inside me. My chest tightened, my heart raced and my wolf remained still. Then, I heard a low growl and my instincts took over. I ran through the bushes until I found her.

She stood there, her eyes full of fear, while the rogue moved closer, ready to attack. Without thinking, I let my instincts take over. I transformed into my wolf form, with fur and muscle all over, and attacked the rogue wolf.

It was quick, but I was faster.

I grabbed it, smashed it into trees, pinned it to the ground and used my razor claws to rip its heart out. When I looked up, Isaw her staring at me with wide eyes. Her scent filled the air, scent of flowers, and it made my wolf still. The forest was quiet and my heart beat slowly. Then the fog lifted and I could see her clearly.

She stood there, barefoot and shaking, the moonlight enveloping her like a veil. Her long, dark hair shimmered like wet silk, brushing against her shoulders in delicate waves. Her skin appeared to have been kissed by the moon—smooth, pale, and slightly gleaming in the silver light. Her eyes were wild and delicate, and filled with wonder. And her lips opened slightly, trembling as if a thousand unspoken thoughts weighed on them.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

She looked like wildflower that had grown in the midst of a storm—fragile yet stunning. The air around her held her scent, which was sweet and deep, like rain on blooming jasmine. It flooded my lungs, making it difficult to think clearly.

Her body trembled, and her eyes fluttered. Before I could do anything, she collapsed forward. I quickly caught her to prevent her from falling.

When I wrapped my arms around her, something happened. A warm, electrifying spark raced through my skin and into my chest. Her radiance increased, and as my hand made touchedher arm, bright lines of light started to form.

My breath caught in my throat.

“Impossible,” I whispered. “A mate?”

My wolf howled. The air around us changed, and it felt as if the entire forest had stopped to watch. Our hearts beat together, steadily and evenly.

As she slept comfortably in my arms, I said looking into her eyes, "You're mine."