All Chapters of MOONBOUND: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

HAYLEY. It's been a long, tenuous week since my breakup with Theo. After spending almost all of it holed up in bed, sobbing, I've finally decided to keep myself busy around the house—anything to stop thinking about him, even if that feels nearly impossible. I'm in the middle of helping my mom set the table for dinner when she brings up conversation. “You're excited to see Axel, aren't you?” I lift my head from the table, slightly confused. “Huh?” “I’m pretty sure he's already on his way here,” she continues. “Axel’s coming here? Tonight?” My mom pauses from smoothing a napkin and glances at me, a little puzzled. “Yes, baby. I thought we talked about this. After everything that happened with his parents, you know... how he’d be coming to stay with Lucas?” She sets down a clean mug, watching me with concern. And just then, I remember. We really did talk about this. Axel Grey—my childhood best friend and next-door neighbor—was returning to Greystone. After losing both h

AXEL. It’s been five years since I last stepped foot in Greystone, and yet everything looks exactly the same. Feels the same, even. Then again, this town was never big on change. As I ready myself for the first day of junior year, I can’t numb the surge of nervousness running through me. Starting school would mean my first attempt at any kind of social interaction since losing my parents—and honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready for it. Lucas seems to sense my hesitation from where he stands. “Ax, you’ll be fine,” he encourages, tossing my bag into my arms. Glancing at him, I force a small smile. He throws an arm around my shoulders as we head to the front door. “I know it’s your first day, but honestly, there’s nothing to be worried about.” The look of concern on his face starts to shift into a sly smirk. “Anyone tries to mess with you, just call me. I’ve got your back, dude.” The irony in his joke—so familiar from our childhood—makes me laugh. Lucas, smaller and leaner than m

AXEL. As I sit alone on a bench in the locker room, I pick up a helmet and swing it from one hand to the other, feeling its solid weight in my grip. Tryouts are today, and whilst I know I’m ready physically, anxiety crawls just under my skin. I’ve never stepped onto a football field like this before—and the thought of screwing up, especially at a new school, doesn’t sit well. First impressions matter and I know my performance today could determine my place in the school's team. I rise from the bench, my eyes drawn to the names etched into the metal tags on each locker across me. I let my fingers brush over them absentmindedly as I pass, reading each one in a quiet whisper. I stop at the name on the final locker. Shane O’Connor. The name sounds vaguely familiar—I’ve heard it before. Just as the thought settles, a deep voice sounds behind me. “You’d love your name on one of those, wouldn’t you?” When I turn around, there's a dark-haired, broad-shouldered guy glaring straig

HAYLEY. “Wait, just wait a minute,” Corey chortles, “you kissed Axel just a week after breaking up with Theo?” I throw my head back with a small groan as a flush of embarrassment turns my cheeks red. “It’s not… like that,” I murmur awkwardly, though there’s a small hint of pride in my voice. I watch as Corey’s eyebrow lifts behind her glasses, a huge grin spreading across her face. “Hayley, you sneaky little nerd.” “Shhh!” I whisper, glancing at the slightly open door facing my mom’s room as I try to stifle a laugh. “First of all, it was just a kiss. I mean, I guess…” Corey shoots me a look that demands honesty. “Okay, yes, I think Axel’s cute. And maybe I still have that childhood crush on him,” I admit, twirling my fingers nervously. “But then there’s Theo, and I don’t know if…” My words trail off with a sigh. “Hayley,” Corey starts, squeezing my hand reassuringly, “Theo’s a jerk. And you shouldn’t care about him one bit.” She releases her grip on me with a faint s

AXEL. My entire body aches as I stir on the ground. The cacophony of birds chirping all around rouses me awake fully, causing me to sit up, as streaks of early morning sunlight filter through the trees and stun my eyes. Lifting a hand over my brows to shield my sight, I glance around me and recognition slowly sets in as I take in my surroundings—trees, fallen logs, a boulder, and more trees. I'm deep in the woods. And worse, I’m completely naked. My head throbs painfully as I stagger to my feet, and just then, fragments of the previous night flash through my mind like broken film. One moment I’m chaining myself to the floor in the garage… the next I'm at the edge of the woods, fighting the shift. And after that... nothing. My wolf took over, and everytime it does, it leaves a blackout in its wake. Steadying myself against a tree, I get up, wipe away the stray leaves clinging to my damp, naked body and start walking, my eyes scanning for any sign of a path or clearing. A