Chapter 2 - Unexpected Encounter
It was still dark. The stars guided me to the center of the pack. I walked carefully, avoiding the other members but keeping Luna's message in my mind: I would recognize him in my heart.
When I looked into Sebastian's eyes, I felt a chill of fear and apprehension, as something in him had changed for the worse, and a dark smile formed on his face.
He approached slowly, radiating oppressive power. "I see you've finished your task," he sneered. I lowered my head to hide the fear consuming me.
"Yes, sir." I kept my gaze averted while I heard the other wolves laughing at my situation.
"I heard the king's son is returning," he continued. I didn't understand why he was telling me this information. "I believe he's looking for a mate in the pack. Who knows, he might choose you?" His friends laughed, following his mockery.
"May I leave, sir?" I dared to ask. I no longer wanted to be there. Luna had told me I would find my mate, and I needed to be patient.
"No, you can't," he said, moving closer and speaking in a lower tone. "I can tell today is a special day for you, Evergreen. I will have you right now, the way I've always wanted." My fur stood on end, and my whole body tensed. "Don't dare refuse, or I'll end you just like I did with all who defied me."
I raised my head, trying to look around at the other wolves watching. "I've left this decision in your claws for too long. Go straight to the forest and wait for me there."
"No..." I whispered, immobile, and felt his teeth sink into my neck.
"I don't remember giving you any choice," he said sternly. "You're the trash of this pack, the weakest creature we have. Why do you think I... I, the second most powerful in this place, would give you any say over my desires?"
"I don't want to, I can leave... I can abandon all of this," I murmured, shrinking even more, feeling his power pulsating around me.
"You could leave, but you haven't. For one night, I'll let you enjoy my company. For one night, you can experience what it's like to have my attention. For one night."
Tears flooded my eyes as he approached me predatorily. I shouldn't be going through this. I had to fight, but how, when everything in me felt weak?
"Darkwood?" someone called from a distance, causing him to stop and pay attention to the approaching steps.
"Don't try anything, Evergreen," he turned around, and I looked around, searching for a quick and unobstructed path to escape. I knew the Beta was stronger and more agile than me, but if I could make it to the forest, where I knew every tree and hiding spot, he wouldn't stand a chance of catching me.
"I'll never be yours," I declared, running toward an open path and leaving Sebastian even more furious.
I ran desperately, crossed the creek, and descended the cliff, slipping on some rocks and hurting my body. A little further, I heard Sebastian's furious howl and kept running, distancing myself more and more from that place.
He could send his allies after me, and if that happened, I would never have the chance to discover who my true mate was. But returning also didn't seem like an option at that moment.
When midnight came, the moon reached its highest point in the sky, triggering the transformation that turned me into a fragile human every full moon. This condition was uniquely mine.
I had never received proper training to control the lunar influence. Instead of strengthening me, I felt weaker than on any other day. If life was already difficult enough, now I found myself unprotected in the heart of the forest, completely alone and consumed by fear, with my naked skin exposed to the wind.
"LUNA!" I shouted desperately, my heart torn apart. "WHY?" I had no more strength to continue. I began searching for something sharp on the ground, something that could end this despair once and for all.
"Stop!" A firm voice echoed around me, and I jumped, dropping the stone. "What do you think you're doing?"
A tall man stood a few feet away from me, staring at me sternly. His expression was so harsh that I felt fear. I had never seen him before, but my heart raced at his presence.
"I...I..." I looked at the ground again, searching for the stone, and bent down to pick it up. However, as soon as I straightened up, the man was already in front of me, holding my wrist firmly and making me drop the stone.
"I'll ask you one more time, wolf. What are you doing?" His gaze assessed my body, which I only now realized was naked. My hair partially covered my breasts.
"I can't live here anymore," I whispered, trying to break free from his grip.
"Who told you that?" he released my wrist and took off the rough fabric shirt he was wearing, handing it to me, then stepped back a few paces.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't need more problems right now. My existence is condemned." I sighed, trying not to stare at his muscular body. Everything was too confusing for me, and I couldn't see any way out other than leaving this earthly plane.
He growled softly, as if contemplating my words, and his expression hardened even more. "I see talking isn't one of your strong suits, but let's try another way. What's your name?" he continued to stare at me, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Rachel..."
"Do you belong to the Lunar Roar pack?" I nodded, still feeling my body trembling involuntarily. "And are you here alone, without the protection of your pack, because someone told you that you can't live here anymore?" I shook my head.
"It's complicated, sir," I replied, my voice trembling, not knowing how to explain everything.
"Then tell me what it is. I can help you." His severe gaze was still fixed on me. "Look into my eyes, girl." I raised my face to meet his, and something strange coursed through my chest toward him.
The man moved slowly, as if he felt the same thing I did, and I wondered if this was the signal I had been waiting for from Luna.
My heart beat even more irregularly in the presence of those amber eyes. It was a new feeling that dominated my body, making me feel a belonging I had never experienced before.
"I'm waiting..." he spoke with authority.
"I don't want to be a harlot," I blurted out. "I don't want to be used and discarded. I don't want them to take the only thing I have."
"Who?" his voice became more intense, and I shivered in fear. "Tell me the name of the one doing this within the pack."
"He will kill me..." I whispered, terrified. "He will deny..." Tears began to roll down my face. "Why would he believe me?"
The man slowly ran his thumb across my face, catching the tears that fell and bringing them to his mouth, leaving me in shock with his action.
"I believe you, Rachel. I believe you're telling the truth. You wouldn't put yourself in a dangerous situation like this if your life wasn't already being destroyed." He was much larger than me, and his presence dominated all my senses. "Trust me."
"What's your name?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Eldric..."
"I can't say who he is, sir. I'm nothing in the face of the one who afflicts me. Continue on your way, forget you saw me here." I looked at the shirt he had given me, remembering that I needed to return it. "Just give me a minute to make a piece of clothing from those leaves over there..." I turned to look for a palm tree where I could weave leaves and create something to cover my body.
But as I turned, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him.
"You're coming back with me." I nodded, trying to make him understand that I didn't want to, but his scent overwhelmed all my senses.
Our faces were close enough for me to notice that somehow this powerful man was my mate.
"I can't be, can I?" I questioned, my voice trembling.
"May I perform a test?" his right hand moved over my face and held it, caressing it gently.
"What test?" my voice was hoarse, and a smile appeared on his lips.
His response was to get closer, his other hand wrapping around my nape, bringing our faces even closer. His gaze assessed every part of my face, and I eagerly awaited what he would do next. Slowly, his mouth descended to meet mine, and I closed my eyes, hoping my suspicions weren't wrong.
As soon as our lips touched, the tension in the air changed to a warm and desirous aura. Eldric gently grazed his teeth over my lips, sending shivers down my stomach. I placed my hands on his chest to maintain balance, as my legs were shaky.
"You are mine..." he whispered hoarsely, followed by a possessive growl. His tongue sought entry through my lips, and I opened them slowly.
Eldric explored my mouth and made my tongue dance with his in a fluid and intimate motion. His hand descended to my waist, bringing me even closer to his body, and our kiss became even more passionate, making me moan at his touches.
"How is this possible?" we pulled away, breathless, but our foreheads remained touching.
"The Mother Moon knows all things," he said, still hoarse. "You will come with me to the pack, and there you will tell me everything that happened today." His voice was more controlled now, but his eyes still sought something in me.
"Are you sure, sir?" I spoke uncertainly about how to present myself to the pack.
"The Moon told me that my mate needed me, that the time of my return has been awaited for a long time." I trembled, aware of the responsibility that would come with standing by his side.
His hands returned to my face. "There's no reason to fear anymore; I'm by your side, and I'll take care of you, against all odds. You have me now, and those who disagree will have to deal with the consequences of their words."
I nodded, knowing that things wouldn't be that easy. But being in Eldric's arms, my destined mate, was comforting.