Wild Moon

Chapter One

The forest was alive with the crisp bite of dawn, mist curling over the moss-covered ground. Lila moved through the trees in her wolf form, reveling in the silence of the early morning. This was her escape—before the weight of expectations and responsibilities pressed down on her once more.

Her sleek silver fur glowed faintly in the pale light filtering through the trees as she leaped over a fallen log, her paws landing soundlessly on the damp earth. Her senses were sharp, attuned to every sound, every shift in the wind.

Then, she smelled it.

A scent so potent it stopped her mid-stride. It was warm spice and earth, dark and untamed, unlike anything she had ever encountered. Her wolf surged forward, a deep longing thrumming through her veins.

Mate.

Lila’s heart pounded as she turned her head, searching, scanning the shadows. The scent was close—too close. The realization sent a shiver through her. No one was supposed to be here. This was Crescent Moon territory.

A snap of a twig. A shift in the shadows.

Then, movement.

Before she could react, a massive dark-furred wolf burst from the undergrowth, his golden eyes locking onto hers. He was fast—faster than anyone she had ever seen—but she was already moving, instincts screaming at her to run.

Lila darted through the trees, her heart hammering against her ribs. She didn’t know why she was running—from fear or from the undeniable pull drawing her closer to the rogue who now hunted her.

But he was stronger.

She felt the rush of air as he closed the distance, the raw power in his stride. And then—impact.

They tumbled together, rolling through the leaves and dirt until she landed beneath him, her back pressing against the roots of an old oak. His body hovered over hers, caging her in.

Lila’s breath came in sharp gasps, her silver eyes wide as she looked up at him. His wolf was dark, almost black, his muscles tense, his scent overwhelming.

And those golden eyes—they burned into her, something wild and tortured behind them.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The bond thrummed between them like a living thing, whispering of fate, of something inevitable.

Then, slowly, he shifted, his form melting into that of a man.

Lila’s breath caught in her throat. He was beautiful in a way that was dangerous—sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw dusted with stubble, dark hair falling in unruly waves around his face. Scars laced his bare chest, speaking of battles fought and survived.

"You're mine," he murmured, his voice rough like gravel, his golden eyes never leaving hers.

Lila’s pulse thundered.

She should fight. Should reject him.

But as he leaned in, the world around them faded, and all she could hear was the wild rhythm of her own heart.

And it beat for him.