Chapter Three

The crisp night air whistled through the trees as the Blood Moon Pack raced across the forest floor, their paws thundering in sync. Lucia led the pack alongside their alpha, her powerful limbs propelling her forward with effortless grace. The familiar thrill of the hunt coursed through her veins, heightening her senses.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, causing her to falter mid-stride. Lucia stumbled, her breath catching in her throat, but she refused to slow her pace. Gritting her teeth, she pushed on, unwilling to show any weakness before the pack. 

As they moved through the shadowy woods, the dull ache within her built to a crescendo. Lucia's wolf whined softly, sensing her distress. She fought to maintain control, her heart pounding in her ears. The scent of her packmates surrounded her, comforting yet cloying. 

Lucia glanced sidelong at the Alpha, his powerful form cutting through the underbrush with ease. Catching his eye, she projected an aura of calm, masking the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. His brow furrowed slightly, but he gave a subtle nod, trusting in her ability to keep pace.

Pushing past the discomfort, Lucia lengthened her stride, her muscles rippling with barely-contained energy. The primal thrill of the hunt threatened to overwhelm her senses, her wolf yearning to take control. She fought to maintain control, her entire being focused on the path ahead.

The pain crescendoed again, a searing ache that radiated from her core. Lucia's wolf let out a plaintive whine, its powerful limbs faltering as it collapsed to the forest floor. She felt the shift wash over her, her human form emerging as she struggled to catch her breath.

Lucia lay panting on the leaf-strewn ground, her skin flushed and clammy. Waves of heat rolled through her, setting her nerves alight. She tried to make sense of the overwhelming sensations, her rational mind grappling with the primal instincts of her wolf.

Moments later, Aria appeared in the clearing, her warm brown eyes filled with concern. She crouched beside Lucia, her hand gently brushing the sweat-dampened hair from her face.

"Ari..." Lucia croaked, her voice laced with vulnerability. "Something's wrong."

Aria's brow furrowed as she took in Lucia's feverish appearance. "You're burning up," she murmured, her fingers trailing down to rest on Lucia's forehead. Her eyes widened in realisation. "Fuck, Lucia, you're in heat."

Lucia let out a ragged breath, her heart pounding in her ears. The implications of her condition dawned on her, a mixture of fear and anticipation coursing through her veins. "The pack..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aria's expression hardened with resolve. "They won’t hurt you, I won’t let them hurt you," she vowed, her fingers tightening protectively around Lucia's arm. "We need to get you back to the pack house."

Lucia nodded weakly, allowing Aria to help her to her feet. As they moved through the shadowy forest, the sound of distant howls reverberated through the trees, sending a shiver down Lucia's spine. The unmated wolves had caught her scent, and they were coming.

Lucia's muscles tensed as she picked up the cacophony of howls in the distance, the unmated wolves closing in. Glancing sideways at Aria, she could see the worry etched on her friend's face. 

"I need to run ahead," Lucia said, her voice strained. "I can’t stay out here for long." 

Aria's brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure? I don't want you out there alone."

Lucia offered a weak smile. "I'll be fine. Just get back and update the Alpha." She placed a reassuring hand on Aria's arm.

Aria's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded reluctantly. "Be careful, sis." 

With that, Lucia shifted, her body rippling as she transformed into her sleek, silver-furred wolf form. She shot Aria one last look before taking off, her powerful paws pounding against the soft earth as she wove through the dense foliage. 

The faraway howls grew louder, spurring Lucia to push her body to its limits. She knew the unmated wolves were closing in, driven by the primal allure of her heat. Keeping her senses heightened, Lucia navigated the winding trails, determined to lose her pursuers and reach the sanctuary of the pack house.

As she ran, Lucia's mind raced, the implications of her condition weighing heavily on her. Being in heat made her vulnerable, a target for any wolf with the strength and desire to claim her. The thought of being hunted, of being overwhelmed by the unmated alphas, sent a shiver of both fear and anticipation down her spine.

Suddenly, a new sound reached her ears - the deep, resonant howls of two very powerful alphas. Lucia's steps faltered momentarily, her wolf’s instincts reacting to the call of the dominant males. She fought the urge to slow down, to allow them to catch her, her rational mind reminding her of the threat they could possess.

Pushing forward, Lucia focused on her surroundings, searching for a safe path to the pack house. But with each pounding step, the allure of the alphas' howls grew stronger, tempting her wolf to surrender to their call.

The cool night air caressed Lucia's flushed body as she stumbled through the dense foliage, her wolf's keen senses heightened by the pulsing heat that radiated through her core. The distant howls of unmated wolves echoed through the trees, setting her wolf on edge. Distracted by the insistent throbbing low in her abdomen, Lucia faltered, not realising she had wandered into the no-man's land between the Blood Moon and Blue Mountain packs.  

The realisation hit her like a jolt when the piercing howls of two powerful Alpha wolves reached her ears, closer than ever, sending shivers of primal desire down her spine. Her wolf whined, desperate to be claimed by the dominant males. Lucia's pulse quickened as she heard the thunderous approach of the Alphas through the undergrowth. She knew she should flee, but the lure of their strength was too intoxicating.

Aiden and Declan, the twin alphas from Blue Mountain.

Aiden's deep voice cut through her mind, tinged with a rough, animalistic edge. "There you are, little Luna." 

Alphas and Lunas can mind link each other without pack ties, and right now, she wished that wasn’t the case.

Declan's answering growl reverberated all around her. "We can smell your heat from miles away." 

Lucia's breath caught in her throat as the brothers closed in, their powerful frames closing off any chance of escape. Her wolf demanded she submit, to give in to the carnal craving the Alphas stirred within her. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, still running from them, but the reckless, primal part of her revelled in their pursuit.

Lucia's heart hammered in her chest as Aiden and Declan surrounded her, their predatory gazes locking onto her. Another wave of searing pain lanced through her, causing her to stumble and slow her pace. The Alphas sensed her vulnerability and pressed their advantage, nipping at her heels as they drove her deeper into the forest.

Lucia's wolf whined, wanting nothing more than to be caught and claimed by the powerful males. But her human side screamed for her to flee, to escape the trap she had stumbled into. The conflicting desires tore at her, leaving her disoriented and panicked.

Aiden and Declan split up, one flanking her on each side. Lucia felt the air grow thick with tension as she was boxed in, the scent of the Alphas enveloping her. Dangerous heat coiled low in her belly, and she knew she was losing the battle against her wolf's instincts.

"Don't be afraid, little Luna," Aiden rumbled, his voice like dark velvet in her mind. "We won't hurt you."

Declan's playful tone belied the predatory gleam in his eyes. "Unless, of course, that's what you want."

Lucia's breath caught as she weighed her options. Part of her craved the dominance the Alphas promised, but the other part knew the risks of submitting to their advances. She mustered what little control she had left and surged forward, determined to escape their clutches.

But Aiden was faster. His powerful wolf form barreled into her, knocking her to the ground. Lucia let out a startled cry as he loomed over her, his jaws clamping down on the delicate flesh of her neck in a clear demand for submission.