Wild Moon

Chapter Two

Lila’s breath came in quick, shallow gasps. The rogue’s golden eyes held her captive, burning with a hunger that sent a shiver down her spine. His words echoed in her mind—You're mine.

Her wolf howled in response, but her human side rebelled. This was wrong. He was a rogue, an outsider, an enemy. If her father knew—

Lila shoved against his chest. "Get off me."

His muscles tensed, hesitation flashing across his face. Then, with a slow, measured movement, he lifted himself off her, shifting his weight back just enough to give her space. But he didn’t step away.

Lila sat up, pressing her back against the rough bark of the tree. Her heart still pounded, her body hyper-aware of his proximity.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

The rogue’s lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "Kieran." His voice was deep, rough around the edges, like he wasn’t used to speaking much.

Lila swallowed hard. She had never heard of him, and that was unsettling. Most rogues were either exiled wolves or those who had abandoned their packs. But the way he moved, the power in his presence—he wasn’t just another rogue scavenging for survival.

"What are you doing on Crescent Moon territory?" she asked, trying to steady her breathing.

Kieran tilted his head slightly, studying her. "I could ask you the same thing. Running off alone, no guards? Not very Alpha-like, princess."

Her jaw tightened. "Don't call me that."

His smirk deepened. "Why not? That’s what you are, isn’t it? The Alpha’s precious daughter."

Lila's wolf bristled at his mocking tone. "And you’re trespassing. My father will kill you if he finds out you’re here."

Something flickered in Kieran’s eyes—something dark and unreadable. "Then I guess it’s a good thing he won’t find out."

Lila frowned. "What does that mean?"

He leaned in slightly, and the scent of him—wild, untamed—wrapped around her like a snare. "It means you won’t tell him."

She stiffened. "You think I’d protect you? I don’t even know you."

Kieran exhaled through his nose, something close to frustration flashing across his face. He lifted a hand, running it through his dark hair. "It’s not about protecting me. It’s about what happens to you if you do."

Lila narrowed her eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

His expression hardened. "No. I’m warning you."

Something about the way he said it sent a chill through her. He wasn’t just some rogue running from a past mistake—he was dangerous. And not just in the way rogues were supposed to be.

Lila slowly got to her feet, brushing dirt from her arms. She needed to think, to get away from him before she did something reckless. Like letting herself believe that the bond between them could ever mean anything.

"I don’t know what you’re hiding," she said carefully, keeping her voice steady. "But you need to leave. Now."

Kieran rose to his full height, towering over her. "I will. But we both know this isn’t over."

Lila clenched her fists. "It has to be."

Kieran smirked, but there was something almost sad in his eyes. "You can try to fight it, princess. But fate doesn’t care about your pack, your father, or your rules. You will come back to me."

Her breath hitched. He said it with such certainty, like he had already seen the future.

Before she could respond, he turned, shifting into his massive black wolf mid-step. With one last lingering look, he sprinted into the trees, vanishing into the shadows.

Lila stood there, her heart thudding in her chest, her entire body still tingling from his presence.

This was bad.

Very, very bad.

She had a mate.

And he was a rogue.