Moon Bound Desire

The scent of rain lingered in the air as Selene locked up the apothecary for the night. The shop was small, nestled at the edge of town, its shelves lined with dried herbs, tinctures, and remedies she had learned to craft over the years. She had always been drawn to healing, as if it were second nature, though she had never understood why. Her adoptive mother, Evelyn, had found her as an infant, abandoned near the outskirts of town. The woman had never questioned the mystery of Selene’s origins—only loved and raised her as her own. But despite Evelyn’s warmth, Selene had always felt like an outsider, a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit. Tonight, the restlessness was worse than usual. The full moon was high, casting an ethereal glow over the town. A strange energy pulsed through her veins, making her skin prickle. She had spent the entire evening feeling watched, though she had seen no one. Perhaps she was just imagining things. Needing fresh air, she started walking, her feet carrying her beyond the familiar streets, toward the dense forest that bordered the town. She often came here when she needed to think. The forest was quiet, its shadows deep, but instead of fear, she felt a strange sense of home. She didn’t know why. Tonight, however, the air felt different—charged. A whisper of wind rustled the leaves, and a shiver ran down her spine. She was not alone. Heart pounding, she turned toward the tree line, where the darkness stretched beyond sight. A presence loomed in the shadows, unseen but undeniable. And then, from the depths of the forest, he emerged. A man. Tall, powerful, his golden eyes glowing like embers in the night. Selene’s breath caught. Something about him called to her. A pull so strong, it left her trembling. He stepped closer, his voice low, rough. “You shouldn’t be here.” But Selene knew, in that moment, that it wasn’t her who had strayed into the unknown. It was him—who had come for her!