chapter 9

The moon was low in the sky, giving the Moonlit Meadow a silver glow. It was the perfect setting for the meeting that would change everything.

Ethan stood at the edge of the field, his heart beating as fast as a wild horse. He couldn't believe that after all this time, he was about to face Gabriel, the man who was meant to be his mate. His mind was racing, and his body was twitching with excitement.

Amelia had been helpful because she knew how important this moment was. She stood in the dark a few feet away, ready to help if things got scary.

Gabriel came out from behind the line of trees. He was tall and strong, and he moved with the ease of a hunter. When his eyes locked on Ethan's, a storm of different feelings was building up inside them.

"Gabriel," Ethan said in a steady voice that was still tense.

"Ethan," Gabriel said, with sadness in his voice. "I'm not sure where to start. I was stupid."

Ethan squeezed his fists as he tried to stop the rush of anger and pain that was about to take over him. "You turned me down in front of everyone," he said, shaking. "You said that I wasn't good enough."

Gabriel moved toward Ethan, never taking his eyes off of him. "I made a mistake, Ethan. I couldn't see anything because of my own fears and the weight of my duties as alpha. I now realize that was the biggest mistake I've ever made."

Gabriel's words hurt Ethan's heart, but he couldn't be so easily moved. "Words don't mean much, Gabriel. How can I be sure that you won't hurt me again?"

Gabriel reached out and gently caressed Ethan's cheek with his fingers. The touch sent chills down Ethan's spine. He whispered, "I'll spend the rest of my life showing you that I deserve your love."

Ethan's determination started to weaken, but he couldn't forget the pain he'd been through. He pointed toward the pack's camp and asked, "What about her?"

Gabriel's face became more serious. "I'll take care of it, Ethan. She was a waste of time and a mistake. "I want to be with you."

Before Ethan could answer, a howl cut through the tension like a knife through butter. Olivia, his best friend and ally, was coming at them quickly.

She yelled, "Ethan!" with her eyes wide with urgency. "You need to hurry up. It's Isabella, she's in trouble."

Ethan's heart started to beat faster. He felt like Isabella was his sister, and he would do anything to keep her safe. He turned to Gabriel without giving it a second thought.

He said, "Prove it," in a strong tone. "Prove you care about us and want to make things right. Please save Isabella for me."

Gabriel nodded, and he looked determined in the eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes," he swore.

After that, they ran through the Moonlit Meadow, their lives once again tied together, but this time for a good reason. The moon kept an eye on them, and its golden light showed them the way as they jumped into the unknown, ready to face whatever problems they might find.

Ethan and Gabriel ran quickly through the thick bush because Isabella was in trouble and they needed to help her right away. The eerie hoot of an owl, the rustle of leaves, and the faraway howls of their pack members all made up a symphony of suspenseful night sounds.

Olivia led them deeper into the woods, where she could feel her sister's presence. She only gave Ethan and Gabriel a quick look. Her eyes were full of fear and hope.

Olivia breathed out, "Isabella went into the old cave." "She said she felt something powerful calling to her."

Ethan's heart was pounding hard in his chest. People said that the old cave was a place where magic from the past happened and where the line between their world and the supernatural was thin. Isabella could be in great danger if she went there by herself.

They ran into an opening, and there, in the side of a steep hill, was the entrance to the cave: a dark, scary-looking hole. A soft, strange glow came from inside.

They moved forward without talking, the necessity of their goal shutting out the emotions they had been feeling. Inside the cave, the air was thick with an energy from another world that made them shiver.

"Isabelle! " Ethan shouted, and his voice reverberated off the walls.

He heard a weak whimper in response, and they went deeper into the cave to find the source of the sound. As the light got brighter, strange symbols carved into the walls began to shine in an odd way.

They finally found her.

Isabella was on her knees with her hands on a big, old-looking stone that seemed to give off strength. Her eyes were blurry, and her face looked like a mix of pleasure and fear.

"Isabelle! " Olivia started crying and ran to help her sister.

When Ethan and Gabriel joined them, they kept their eyes on the stone. It had complex patterns all over it, and in the middle, a whirling mass of energy pulsed and writhed like a live thing.

Gabriel said in a hurry, "We need to get her out of here."

But as they reached for Isabella, the stone suddenly exploded in a bright flash of light that blinded them. They were thrown back and rolled around on the floor of the cave, confused and dazed.

When the light finally went away, they got up, their bodies hurting but still whole. Isabella had left, though.

Ethan's chest tightened and his heart pounded. "No, she's not here. Where is she?"

Olivia's eyes were big and scared. "I have no idea. She was right next to me."

Gabriel took a step forward, his jaw set in a serious way. "We have to track her down. No matter what that stone did, it took her somewhere, and we'll bring her back."

With the same goal in mind, they went deeper into the cave, where their way was unclear and the unknown was waiting for them. The moon kept watching over them, and its sparkling light gave them hope in the dark.