A SCENT THE MOON ERASED

“Take your hands off me.” My voice trembled, but the wolf just laughed at me. His claws pressed into my wrists, pinning me to the cold ground. His breath was a horrible mix of blood and damp, rotting leaves. I tried to pull free, but he was stronger. Way stronger. “Please,” I whispered. He leaned in, his snout hovering over my neck. My heart slammed against my chest. I squeezed my eyes shut. This was it. Then, somewhere in the woods, a deep, cold growl ripped through the night. The wolf above me froze. I opened my eyes. There, between the trees, stood a big black wolf. Moonlight slid over his fur, making it shine. His eyes were so bright they seemed to squeeze the night in around us. The wolf pinning me turned slowly. The black wolf growled again, low and dangerous. He didn't have to attack. His presence alone was enough. The wolf let go of me and stumbled back. Then he bolted. The black wolf tore after him, vanishing into the shadows. I stayed on the ground, sucking in air, my whole body shaking. Honestly, I should have been scared of the new wolf. But, weirdly, I just felt... still. Like something inside me recognized him. In my head, my wolf whispered one word. Mate. I barely breathed. “No,” I said aloud, barely thinking. But my wolf pressed back, louder now. Mate. The black wolf came back. He stood a few feet away, watching me. Then, right before my eyes, he shifted—bones cracking, fur melting away. Now there was a man. Tall, broad-shouldered, black hair falling over his eyes. He was catching his breath, his chest rising and falling. I’d never seen him before. But my body definitely knew him. My wolf knew him. Our eyes met. Heat rushed through me so fast my knees almost buckled. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice deep, steady. I just stared. He frowned. “I said, are you hurt?” “I...” My throat closed up. “You’re my mate.” Total silence. His face changed. Not happy. Not even surprised. Just confused. He took a step closer. That pull I felt? It got stronger, almost sharp. My wolf yowled inside my mind. Mate. He stopped in front of me, sizing me up. “What’s your name?” “Lyra.” “Lyra what?” “Lyra Vale.” His eyes moved over my bruised neck, my shaky hands. Almost like he was searching for something. “What?” I asked. He didn’t reply—just leaned in and sniffed the air around me. Once, then again. His jaw clenched. “What is it?” He stepped back. “I can’t smell you.” My stomach dropped. “What?” “I can’t get your scent.” “That doesn’t make sense.” “It does to me.” His eyes turned cold. “But you’re my mate.” He cut me off. “Don’t call me that.” That stung more than it should have. I swallowed. “My wolf recognized you.” “Wolves aren’t always right.” “Mine is.” Something finally flickered in his eyes—like he was interested, even if just for a second. “Come here,” he said. I hesitated. “Why?” “I need to check something.” He held out his hand. Every part of me wanted to reach for it. I did, slowly, slipping my fingers into his. The second our skin touched, heat flashed through my body. I couldn’t help the gasp. His eyes widened. For a second, everything stopped. I felt his heartbeat—fast, hard. I felt something inside him reach out to me. His wolf. Mine answered right back. For a moment, nothing else existed. Not the forest, not the cold, not the blood. Just him. His grip tightened. “Lyra…” His voice was different this time—raw, almost aching. I met his gaze. “What do you feel?” He didn’t answer with words. He just touched my cheek. A shiver ran straight through me as his thumb slid over my skin. My heart hammered. He leaned in. I should have pulled away. I didn’t. His lips brushed mine. Soft at first, then firmer. Suddenly, everything in me woke up. My wolf howled with pure joy. Something powerful blazed between us. I could feel his confusion, his want, his fear. And underneath it all, something deeper, nameless. His hand slipped to my waist. I clung to his shirt. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged. Then—the warmth cut off. I gasped. He let go. The connection snuffed out. He stepped back, face gone cold. I pressed a hand to my chest. “No.” He stared. “What happened?” “I don’t know.” “You felt it.” He sounded a little lost. “Yes.” He looked at his hand like it had betrayed him. I took a shaky step closer. “It was real.” His eyes met mine. “Then why can’t I smell you?” I had no idea. My wolf was just as confused, pacing in my head. But I pressed on. “You felt the bond.” “For a moment.” “That’s all it takes.” “No.” His voice was sharp. “It’s not enough.” “Then touch me again.” He hesitated. “Ronan.” Only after I said it did I realize I hadn’t asked for his name. “Ronan Blackwood,” he said. My breath stuttered. I’d heard that name plenty—Alpha King. The most feared Alpha around. And somehow, he was standing here. Supposedly mine. I stepped closer, desperate. “I don’t know why you can’t smell me. But I know what I felt.” Ronan looked at me, searching for something in my face. Then he took my hand again. Nothing. Not a spark. He tried once more. Still nothing. He pulled back, face closing off. Tension tightened my chest. “Maybe it only happens when—” A branch snapped behind us. Ronan positioned himself between me and the trees, all gentleness gone. He was the Alpha King now, protective and intimidating. “Stay behind me.” I squinted into the shadows as something moved between the trees. Ronan curled his fists, voice sharp. “Who’s there?” Silence. Another branch, closer this time. He shifted again, blocking me. And in that moment, I saw the difference—the wolf, the king… and maybe, under all that, the man who had just kissed me. He turned to me, his eyes unreadable. “If you really believe I’m your mate…” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “Prove it.”