Black moon

The alpha moves behind a tree, and I hear the faint rustling of leaves as his form shifts. Moments later, he reemerges, this time in human form. He strides forward confidently, now dressed in nothing but a pair of simple shorts. My breath catches slightly as I take in his towering figure. He’s well over six feet tall, with a muscular physique that speaks to years of discipline and strength. His tanned skin is covered in intricate tattoos, swirling patterns that seem almost alive in the dim light.

Feeling a bit self-conscious about my obvious staring, I quickly avert my eyes and focus on his face. His long black hair is tied back into a loose ponytail, revealing a strong, defined jawline and deep-set brown eyes that regard me with a calm intensity. There’s a quiet power about him—controlled, yet impossible to ignore.

He’s undeniably handsome.

Extending his hand, he speaks in a voice that’s both warm and steady. “My name is Nathan. I apologize for the rough start earlier. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lenora.”

I place my hand in his, feeling the firmness of his grip. “The pleasure is mine, Nathan. I really enjoyed that run.”

He grins at me, his eyes flashing with amusement as he releases my hand. “No one in my pack has ever been able to keep up with me in a race. I’m still in shock that you were running alongside me.”

I giggle softly, surprised by the lightness in my chest after everything that’s happened. “I didn’t expect to keep up either, but it was exhilarating to run with you.”

As if on cue, my guardians appear at my side, their presence always comforting. Moments later, the wolves from earlier finally catch up, huffing and puffing from the exertion of the chase. They retreat behind the same bush Nathan had used to shift, and soon, five men and three women step forward. Like Nathan, they’re all tanned, tattooed, and muscular, their strong features striking and beautiful. Each of them exudes an aura of wild energy, yet there’s a sense of calm in the way they stand now, observing us with curious eyes.

Nathan gestures for me to follow. “Come with me, Lenora,” he calls, already starting toward the village that lies just beyond the trees.

We pass through large wooden gates, crafted from heavy logs and reinforced with iron. The guards stationed at the entrance give Nathan respectful nods as we walk through, their eyes briefly flicking to me and my companions. The village is alive with activity—small houses line the pathways, their windows framed with vines and flowers. People peek out curiously as we pass, some even stepping outside to get a better look. I catch snippets of whispered conversations, their tones full of curiosity and wonder.

I smile at the peacefulness that surrounds us. There’s a tranquility here that I haven’t felt in a long time, a sense of community that feels… safe.

Nathan leads us through the heart of the village, toward the largest building at its center. My gaze lingers on the intricate carvings that adorn its walls—wolves, beautifully rendered, seem to dance along the wooden beams. The craftsmanship is exquisite, each detail a testament to the care and pride of this pack. But as I admire the beauty, a pang of sadness twists in my chest. I can’t help but think of the village we visited earlier, reduced to ashes and rubble. This place must have looked similar once, before tragedy struck.

“Welcome to the Black Moon pack house,” Nathan says, his voice breaking through my thoughts. “I am Alpha Nathan Black.” His tone carries the weight of leadership, but there’s a warmth in it as well. “We don’t usually have visitors like you, so ignore the whispers. My pack is just curious.”

I chuckle lightly as we walk through the entrance. “I’ve overheard some of their remarks about my appearance,” I say, glancing around. “I find their honesty rather refreshing.”

As we pass by, I catch the wide eyes of a little girl who stands near the edge of the path. She’s staring at me with unabashed fascination. I wink at her playfully, and her face immediately turns bright red as she ducks behind her mother, clearly flustered. I can’t help but smile at her reaction.

Nathan leads us into a large room at the heart of the pack house. A long wooden table stretches across the space, its surface polished to a gleam. He takes a seat at the head, his presence commanding even in such a simple act. I sit across from him, with my guardians flanking me on either side. The wolves who accompanied Nathan earlier now sit beside him, their human forms calm but alert, eyes watching us closely.

The atmosphere in the room is thick with anticipation. We’ve made it here, but I know this is only the beginning. What comes next will determine everything.