Bound by the Moon

The Look in His Eyes

– Tashay –

I wasn’t supposed to be out here.

If anyone saw me, they’d drag me back and scold me for wandering the grounds like I didn’t know my place. But the walls of the pack house had felt too tight tonight, and my chest too heavy. I needed air. I needed space.

The forest was the only place that didn’t treat me like I was invisible.

I was walking slowly, trying to untangle the knot in my chest, when I felt… something. A shift in the air. The hairs on my arms stood up, and my heart began to race—like the forest itself was holding its breath.

Then I saw him.

He stepped into the clearing with the grace of someone used to being obeyed. Tall. Broad. Powerful. His eyes scanned the trees until they landed on me, and when they did—my world tilted.

Everything stopped. The wind. My thoughts. Even my heartbeat.

Our eyes locked.

And suddenly, I felt it.

The bond.

I didn’t need anyone to explain it to me. I didn’t need a ceremony or some official title. My wolf surged forward so fast I nearly staggered, howling with recognition, her voice full of something I’d never felt before—joy.

Mate.

He was mine.

He was real.

And he was staring right at me like he felt it too.

Something moved across his face. Shock. Confusion. Something deeper, rawer. It made my breath catch. I didn’t dare move. Didn’t dare speak. I was terrified that if I blinked, it would all vanish.

But then… he looked away.

Just like that.

Turned.

Walked.

I didn’t breathe as I watched his figure disappear between the trees, taking that pull—our bond—with him like it meant nothing.

My wolf whimpered and sank back inside me, silent and wounded.

I stood there, frozen in the middle of the clearing, the ache blooming in my chest like a bruise.

For one beautiful, terrible second, I thought someone finally saw me.

But he didn’t even ask my name.

He just left.