Claimed by the Alpha under the Christmas moon

Chapter 12: Shadows Over the Pack

The aftermath of last night’s victory lingers like the scent of pine smoke. The sun is bright, the air crisp, yet there’s a distant rumble of unease. Kael and I take a walk through the forest, hands entwined. The betrayal of Blackthorn’s attack makes the world feel a bit fragile still.

Our wolves track the scattered remnants of the enemy pack. Most turned back; one or two stragglers remain. They will fade or join other outcasts. The forest is ours again.

As we move, Kael speaks softly, almost to himself. “It was lucky you were with us. Without the blood...” His voice trails. He gives me a serious look. “Elana, how do you feel? The blood.”

I consider. “Different.” The morning sunlight feels like electricity on my skin. I can smell mushrooms on the ground, a freshness in the air. “I feel sharper, like nothing can surprise me.”

He smiles, pressing a kiss to my wrist. “That’s what I hoped. Our bond is stronger now.”

We return to pack. Mira is waiting on the porch. Her face lights up. “A moment, Elana,” she says urgently. Concern flickers in her eyes.

My heart skips. I follow her into the cabin. Bran steps aside, and Mira lays her hands on my shoulders. "We have tradition to follow,” she says softly. “You've been accepted fully into our pack. It’s time to take on a name of the Moon.”

A name of the Moon? I blink, puzzled. She leads me to a wall with wolf pelt banners. One has images of a full moon shining on water—a very beautiful tapestry. “This one,” Mira says, pointing. “It’s the tapestry of the moon, Elana. Once you drink the Alpha’s blood, you receive a 'moon name'.”

I look between the tapestry and her. “A...moon name?”

“Yes. It signifies your place. The full moon is when your bond grew strongest. So your true name is Elana Moonshine—like the way the moon’s light dances on the river where we first met.”

I smile softly. It’s touching but also overwhelms me. My name is something ordinary to me, now this extraordinary destiny. “Elana Moonshine,” I echo. It tastes sweet on my tongue.

Kael wraps his arms around me from behind. “If anything, it’s perfect,” he says. My eyes shine.

I hug Mira. “Thank you,” I whisper. She smiles and wipes a tear with her sleeve.

“No,” Mira answers. “Thank you, for coming into Kael’s life.” She squeezes my shoulders, pride in her eyes.

Walking out, Kael lifts my chin to study my face. “Elana Moonshine,” he says, calling me by my new name for the first time. “The love of my life.”

I laugh. “That sounds like a legend already.” I squeeze his hand.

He nods. “We will make it into one.”

Suddenly, a shout comes from the pack gathering outside. We hurry out to see sirens flashing. A local game warden stands by the road with flashing lights. A car pulls up, two uniforms step out.

Our pack tenses. This cabin is hidden, off-grid. How did the police find us? Fear flickers inside me.

Kael steps forward, cloak held open. His presence is imposing—Alpha in full view. The game warden, a woman with a rifle slung low, rubs her eyes. “We...we saw your fire,” she stammers. “I’m sorry, I thought it was a crash.”

Out of the car steps someone in plain clothes. He stares at me and then freezes, a horrified expression. My heart pounds. He’s tall, handsome in a rugged way, but I know him—Jason, my ex.

He blinks, whispering, “Elana?”

Fury and confusion churn in me. How did he find us? And what is he doing here? Before I can speak, Kael leaps between me and the ex-boyfriend who shattered me not long ago.

Jason steps back at the sight of Kael’s feral form. Kael remains human but impossibly still.

“Master Tanner,” he growls, addressing the man, ignoring the game warden. “What is this?”

Jason recovers some composure. “Elana!” he shouts. “I was worried about you—I reported you missing.”

I glare at him. “Missing? You didn’t even care that you cheated and left me in the snow!”

The warden steps forward, hands raised. “Both of you—please calm down. I just need to know if anyone’s hurt.” She looks at me. “Are you okay?”

Tears of anger brim in my eyes. “He tried to kill me!” I say to Jason.

Jason’s face turns ashen. “I didn’t know…”

Kael snarls low. “He’s one of them,” he says to the warden, and then: “If he’s with you, you’re in danger.”

The warden looks between Jason and Kael, unsure what to believe.

Jason reaches into his car trunk. Everyone tenses. I realize he has a camera or smartphone. He takes a step toward me. My breath catches; the pack stiffens around me.

Kael leaps forward. In a flash of movement, Kael has the phone in his hand, broken.

“Back away,” Kael barks at Jason.

Jason staggers, fear in his eyes now. Mira glances at me. “Stay behind us.”

My ex swallows, his face pale. “Elana, what happened to you?” he whispers.

Kael’s hand tightens on Jason’s shoulder, then he shakes him off. “Stay gone,” Kael says. His voice is cold steel.

Jason stumbles backward to the police car, hands raised. “I just wanted to make sure she was alright,” he stammers.

“All is well,” Kael says. “This is our business.”

One of the state troopers is uneasy. She glances at me. “If she’s okay...” She trails off. Another trooper motions the warden away. “We’ll check for the press, but this is a forest fire call,” he says. “No evidence of a crash.”

Kael calmly nods to us to stand down. The troopers and warden exchange confused glances. “Nothing here.” They apologize quickly and leave, obviously unnerved by the pack’s glare.

The warden stays a moment, looking back at Jason’s car. He hesitates. Then raises his hands. “Elana.” He warbles something about wanting to talk.

Kael steps forward. His voice is quiet but hard. “No. Leave her be. If you value your life, get back in that car.”

Jason looks like a lamb before wolves. He slowly nods, then jumps in and they speed off.

Breathing heavily, I reach for Kael. He turns and presses me against him, holding me tightly. My anger curls around the adrenaline.

“Are you okay?” Kael whispers, voice fierce.

I nod, heart still pounding. “He found me,” I gasp.

Kael’s eyes darken. “He followed you,” he growls. “We must make sure there’s no one else like him watching.”

I tremble, overwhelmed but safe with him. Mira and Tomas flank us protectively.

“Shall we move to a better hide?” Mira asks quietly.

I nod. The adrenaline is draining. I realize how fragile our world can be. But now I’m with these wolves, with him, and I don’t feel like prey anymore.

Kael lifts my chin. In the golden afternoon light, he smiles reassuringly. “No one hurts my mate. Not now, never.”

Relief blooms. My ex’s abrupt, guilt-ridden appearance was terrifying, yet Kael’s voice makes me feel fierce. “I thought—” I start.

He shushes me and guides me into the cabin to gather a few things.

Inside, I shake. A stray tear slips down my cheek. Kael cradles me in his arms. “You’re safe now,” he whispers, stroking my hair. “He’ll stay far away.”

I let go of my anger and allow the comfort to wash over me. Together in that cabin, enveloped in warmth and love, I let out the tension of everything that’s happened.

Inside and out, I realize again: the world is wild, but I’m safer than ever. My king is here to protect me.