Wild Moon

Chapter Ten

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as the first light of dawn filtered through the trees. Lila stirred, warmth cocooning her from all sides. It took her a moment to realize why—Kieran’s arms were still wrapped around her, his body curled protectively around hers.

A deep rumbling sound vibrated against her back, and she realized he was purring in his sleep. The sound sent a thrill through her, stirring something deep and primal within her wolf.

She shifted slightly, tilting her head up to get a better look at him. His dark hair was tousled, falling over his forehead, his features relaxed in a way she hadn’t seen before. Last night had changed everything between them. Their bond was no longer just something pulling them together—it was real, solid, undeniable.

Her fingers traced over his arm where it rested around her waist. A part of her still couldn’t believe this was happening. She had spent her whole life preparing to take over as Alpha one day, bound by duty and responsibility. She had never truly considered what it would be like to have a mate—let alone one who had come from outside her pack, an outsider, a rogue who had suffered so much loss.

But Kieran was hers now. And she was his.

As if sensing her thoughts, Kieran stirred behind her. His grip on her waist tightened for a brief moment before his golden eyes fluttered open, meeting hers. A slow, lazy smile curved his lips.

“Morning,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Lila smiled. “Morning.”

His hand trailed lazily over her waist, his fingers tracing the fabric of the cloak she had pulled over them last night. He exhaled softly, leaning in to press a kiss to her bare shoulder.

“I could get used to waking up like this,” he admitted, his voice still heavy with sleep.

Lila’s heart skipped a beat. The vulnerability in his tone wasn’t lost on her. He had spent years waking up alone, without a home, without a pack. This—waking up beside someone who truly accepted him—was new to him.

She turned in his arms, pressing her palm against his chest. “You will,” she whispered. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

His golden eyes darkened with emotion, and for a moment, he just stared at her, as if memorizing every detail of her face. Then, slowly, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was slow and deep, full of unspoken promises.

Lila melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair as he pulled her closer. She could feel the way his body responded to hers, the way their wolves reached for each other.

But before things could go any further, a distant howl pierced the air, breaking the moment like shattered glass.

Lila stiffened, instantly recognizing the call. It was one of the Crescent Moon warriors—an alert, a summons. Something was wrong.

Kieran pulled back, his expression immediately shifting from soft and affectionate to sharp and focused. “That’s from the village,” he said, already pushing himself up.

Lila’s heart pounded. “We need to go.”

She grabbed her discarded cloak, throwing it around her shoulders as Kieran shifted into his wolf form with practiced ease. His massive black wolf stood beside her, muscles tensed, golden eyes locked onto the path ahead.

Lila shifted as well, her silver-gray wolf shaking out her fur before she took off toward the village, Kieran right beside her.

As they neared the clearing where the pack’s main village lay, the scent of tension and unease thickened in the air. Wolves were gathered in the center, their eyes trained on something—or someone.

Lila pushed through the crowd, shifting back into her human form as she reached the front.

Her father stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable. In front of him, flanked by two Crescent Moon warriors, stood a stranger.

A rogue.

He was young, perhaps only a few years older than Lila, his clothes torn and dirty. His eyes darted wildly between the surrounding wolves, his body tense with fear.

Lila’s father turned his gaze to her as she stepped forward, Kieran shifting back beside her.

“I was hoping you’d arrive soon,” Marcus said, his voice calm but firm. “This rogue was found just outside our borders this morning. He says he has a message. And it concerns you.”

Lila exchanged a glance with Kieran, tension prickling at the back of her neck.

“What kind of message?” she asked.

The rogue lifted his head, his breathing uneven. “There are others looking for you,” he said, his voice hoarse. His gaze flicked to Kieran. “Looking for him.”

Lila felt her stomach drop.

Kieran tensed beside her. “Who?”

The rogue swallowed hard. “Wolves from the pack that destroyed Shadowfang.”

A chill ran down Lila’s spine.

“They know you’re here,” the rogue continued. “And they’re coming.”