Moonbound

Chapter Seven: Beneath the Hunter’s Moon

~ Chapter Seven: Beneath the Hunter’s Moon ~

The cabin had become suffocating, a space too small for the weight of their secrets. Evelyn needed air, needed distance from the storm raging inside her chest. Kael had barely spoken since Alaric’s revelations, his silence a wall she couldn’t scale.

Stepping outside, she let the cool night air wash over her. The forest was alive with the sound of crickets and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Above, the full moon hung like a watchful eye, its silver glow painting the world in shades of gray.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess. The bond, the rogues, the danger that seemed to close in with every breath she took—it was all too much. And yet, beneath the fear, something else simmered. A pull she couldn’t deny.

“Can’t sleep?”

She turned sharply at the sound of Kael’s voice, his tall frame emerging from the shadows. His amber eyes caught the moonlight, glowing faintly as he approached.

“I needed some air,” she said, folding her arms protectively.

Kael nodded, stepping closer until they were only a breath apart. His presence was overwhelming, the warmth of him seeping into her skin even in the cool night.

“You’re not safe out here,” he said, his voice low.

“I don’t feel safe anywhere,” she admitted, her gaze dropping to the ground. “Not with everything happening. Not with…” She trailed off, unable to put the rest into words.

Kael’s hand reached out, tilting her chin so she was forced to meet his eyes. “Not with me?”

His question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears and desires. Evelyn’s heart raced as she searched his face, the raw vulnerability there catching her off guard.

“It’s not that,” she whispered. “I just… I don’t understand any of this. The bond, the rogues, you.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. “You think I do? I didn’t ask for this either, Evelyn. But now that it’s here, I can’t—” He cut himself off, his breath hitching.

“You can’t what?” she pressed, her voice trembling.

“I can’t let you go.”

The words hit her like a thunderclap, her pulse pounding in her ears. Before she could process what he’d said, Kael leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that stole the air from her lungs.

It was like a dam breaking, every emotion she’d been holding back flooding to the surface. She kissed him back, her hands clutching at his shirt as though he were the only thing keeping her grounded.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing hard, their foreheads pressed together.

“This changes everything,” Evelyn said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael chuckled softly, the sound rumbling in his chest. “Everything was already changing, Evelyn. This just makes it… official.”

A rustling sound in the trees snapped them both back to reality. Kael pulled her behind him, his body tensing as his eyes scanned the shadows.

“They’re here,” he growled, his voice laced with a feral edge.

Evelyn’s heart leapt into her throat as a figure stepped out of the darkness. It was Lila, her crimson eyes gleaming with malice.

“Such a touching moment,” Lila said, her tone mocking. “But I’m afraid your little fairytale ends here.”

Kael growled, his body shifting slightly as though ready to lunge. “Get out of here, Lila. You don’t want to do this.”

“Oh, but I do,” Lila purred, her smile widening. “The bond between you two is more valuable than you realize. And I’m here to claim it.”

Evelyn felt the blood drain from her face as Lila’s words sank in. Before she could react, Lila lunged, her movements too fast to follow. Kael intercepted her mid-air, the two of them crashing to the ground in a tangle of claws and snarls.

“Run, Evelyn!” Kael shouted, his voice strained.

But she didn’t run. Instead, she grabbed the nearest branch she could find, her grip tightening as adrenaline surged through her veins. She wasn’t going to let Kael face this alone.

With a scream, she swung the branch at Lila, catching her across the back. Lila snarled in pain, turning her crimson gaze on Evelyn with murderous intent.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Lila hissed.

Before Lila could strike, Kael tackled her again, his teeth sinking into her shoulder. The sound of her scream was inhuman, echoing through the forest as the fight raged on.

Evelyn could only watch, her heart pounding as Kael finally managed to pin Lila to the ground.

“This isn’t over,” Lila spat, her eyes blazing with fury. “The rogues are coming. And when they do, you won’t stand a chance.”

Kael snarled, his grip tightening. “Get out of here before I change my mind about letting you live.”

Lila glared at him but finally relented, her body melting into the shadows.

Kael turned to Evelyn, his face still partially shifted, his amber eyes glowing brighter than ever.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rough.

Evelyn nodded, though her knees felt like they might give out. “What now?”

Kael looked toward the horizon, where the faintest hint of dawn was beginning to break.

“Now we prepare,” he said grimly. “Because she’s right. They’re coming.”