Chapter One The kiss that should not happen
“Hey, you! Don’t go near the woods!”
Mia shouted, her voice shaking. She stood at the edge of the forest, staring into the dark trees. Her heart beat fast like a drum.
A boy stepped out from behind a tree. He looked like he had been living in the woods for a long time. His hair was messy, and his eyes were a deep brown, almost black.
“You shouldn’t be here either,” he said softly.
Mia’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She didn’t know why, but something about him made her feel like she was both scared and safe at the same time.
The boy looked at her like he was trying to understand her.
“My name is Mia,” she said finally. “And I told you not to come here.”
The boy smiled, but it wasn’t friendly. It was like he was hiding something.
“I’m Luca,” he said. “And I didn’t come here to hurt you.”
Mia took a step back. “Then why are you here?”
Luca looked up at the moon. The moon was full and bright. It made the forest look like it was glowing.
“I came for the same reason you did,” he said.
Mia frowned. “What reason?”
Luca’s eyes met hers, and Mia felt a strange pull in her chest.
“Because you were meant to be here,” he said.
Mia’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”
Luca moved closer, but he didn’t touch her. His voice became quiet.
“Your blood is different,” he said. “And the moon knows.”
Mia shook her head fast. “Stop talking like that. I’m just a normal girl.”
Luca’s eyes turned serious. “No. You are not normal.”
Mia wanted to run, but her feet felt stuck. The forest looked like it was watching her. The trees looked like they had eyes.
“You’re making me feel like I’m in a dream,” Mia whispered.
Luca’s lips curled into a small smile.
“Then wake up,” he said.
Before Mia could move, Luca’s expression changed. His eyes flashed like lightning. He stared at her like he could see through her.
Mia felt something strange happen inside her. It was like her body was suddenly full of energy. She took a step back, and her foot slipped on the wet ground.
“Mia!” someone called from the path.
Mia turned. It was her friend, Sophie, running toward her. Sophie was breathing hard, her face pale.
“Mia, I told you not to come here!” Sophie said.
Mia looked at Sophie and then at Luca.
“Sophie, this is Luca,” Mia said. “He’s weird.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. She looked at Luca like she could feel danger.
“You need to leave,” Sophie said quickly. “Now.”
Luca stared at Sophie and then back at Mia.
“Tell her to stop,” Luca said softly. “Tell her not to chase me.”
Sophie frowned. “Chase you? What do you mean?”
Luca’s expression hardened.
“I am not one of your normal people,” he said. “And if she keeps following me, she will die.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “What? You can’t just say that!”
Luca took a slow step forward. He was very close now.
Mia could smell the forest on him. It smelled like wet leaves and wild animals.
Sophie grabbed Mia’s arm. “Come on, Mia. We have to go.”
Mia pulled away from Sophie.
“No,” Mia said. “I want to know who he is.”
Luca looked at Mia with a strange sadness in his eyes.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “If the pack finds you, they will not let you go.”
Mia’s heart froze.
“Pack?” Mia whispered.
Luca’s jaw tightened. “The wolves. The ones who live in the forest.”
Mia laughed, but it sounded fake.
“You’re joking,” she said.
Luca shook his head.
“I am not joking,” he said. “You should leave now.”
Sophie stepped between them.
“Mia, we’re leaving,” Sophie said again. “Please.”
Mia looked at Sophie, then at Luca. She wanted to stay. She wanted to know the truth.
But her mind was screaming that this was dangerous.
“I can’t,” Mia whispered.
Luca looked at her like he was trying to choose between two impossible things.
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said.
Mia swallowed hard.
“Then help me,” she said. “Tell me what you are.”
Luca stared at her for a long moment. His eyes softened.
“You are brave,” he said. “But brave girls get hurt.”
Mia stepped closer to Luca. Her fear was still there, but she felt a strange pull toward him. She couldn’t explain it.
“Tell me,” Mia said again.
Luca’s voice became very quiet.
“I am the alpha of the pack,” he said. “And I am not supposed to be here.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “Alpha?”
Luca nodded.
“The leader,” he said. “The strongest.”
Sophie’s face turned pale.
“Mia, this is real,” Sophie whispered. “We need to go.”
Mia turned to Sophie, but she couldn’t move.
She looked back at Luca.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
Luca took a deep breath.
“Because you are not safe,” he said. “Because someone is hunting you.”
Mia’s heart beat faster.
“Who?” she asked.
Luca’s eyes narrowed.
“The pack’s enemies,” he said. “They want to take your blood.”
Mia felt cold.
“My blood?” she whispered. “Why would they want my blood?”
Luca’s expression became intense.
“Because your blood is special,” he said. “And it can change everything.”
Mia felt like she was going to faint.
“What does it do?” she asked.
Luca looked at her like he was afraid to say it.
“It can make a human into a wolf,” he said.
Mia’s eyes widened. “No. That’s impossible.”
Luca shook his head.
“It is possible,” he said. “And it’s happening.”
Mia felt a strong wind blow through the trees. The moonlight flashed bright.
Something moved in the shadows.
Sophie grabbed Mia’s arm again.
“Mia, now!” Sophie shouted.
Mia turned, but Luca grabbed her wrist. His grip was tight and strong.
“Mia, listen to me,” he said. “If they find you, you will be gone.”
Mia’s eyes filled with fear.
“Let go!” she shouted.
Luca’s face changed. His eyes flashed again.
He looked like he was fighting something inside him.
Mia could hear a low growl, like a dog far away.
She stared at Luca.
“Luca, what is happening?” she asked.
Luca’s voice cracked.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t want this.”
Mia’s heart hurt.
“I don’t understand,” she said.
Luca leaned closer. His face was so close to hers that she could see every detail. His breath smelled like the forest.
“Mia,” he said softly, “I can’t let you leave.”
Mia’s breath stopped.
“Why?” she whispered.
Luca’s eyes locked on hers.
“Because if you go, the pack will follow,” he said. “And they will hurt you.”
Mia’s body shook.
Luca leaned in slowly.
Mia’s heart beat fast. She could feel his warmth.
Then, without warning, Luca kissed her.
It was a quick kiss, but it felt like the whole world stopped.
Mia froze.
Her mind went blank.
She felt a strange power rush through her body. It was like the moon was calling her.
Luca pulled away quickly, his face full of fear.
“Mia,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to…”
Mia’s eyes were wide. She looked at him, confused and scared.
“What was that?” she whispered.
Luca looked away.
“That was the forbidden kiss,” he said softly. “And now the pack will know.”
Mia’s heart dropped.
“Pack?” she whispered again.
Luca’s voice was barely a whisper.
“They will come,” he said. “They always come when the moon is full.”
Mia looked at the forest. She could hear something moving.
The trees seemed to whisper.
Mia turned to Sophie.
“Sophie, run!” she shouted.
Sophie grabbed Mia’s hand, and they started running down the path. But behind them, the forest seemed to come alive.
And somewhere deep inside the trees, the pack was waking up.
