Betrayed By The Moon

Chapter 3

Elena POV

The rogues closed in around me, their eyes glinting with malice. I stood my ground, my heart pounding in my chest, trying to muster as much courage as I could. Running wasn't an option. I had to face them.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” one of the rogues sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “A little lost princess in the woods?”

“What are you doing out here all alone?” another rogue taunted, his eyes roaming over me in a way that made my skin crawl.

I lifted my chin, refusing to show fear. “I'm not lost. And I’m definitely not scared of a bunch of rogues who don't even have a pack.”

They laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed through the forest. The noise sent chills down my spine, but I stood firm. The forest around us seemed to close in as well, the trees casting long, eerie shadows under the moonlight. The cool night air was heavy with tension, and every sound seemed amplified—the rustling leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the malicious laughter of the rogues.

“Feisty one, aren't you?” the first rogue said, stepping closer. “Let's see if you keep that attitude when we’re done with you.”

My breath hitched, but I forced myself to stand tall, projecting a confidence I didn't entirely feel. The forest floor was cold and damp beneath my feet, the earthy smell of moss and decaying leaves mingling with the rogue’s rank scent.

Their eyes glowed with an unnatural light, predatory and hungry. Each step they took was measured, calculated to unnerve me, to break my resolve. There was a tall rogue with a scar running down his cheek, sneered at me, his lips curling into a cruel smile.

“Look at you, trying to act brave,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “But we can smell your fear.”

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. The pain was a welcome distraction, grounding me. “I'm not afraid of you,” I lied, my voice steady despite the terror coursing through me.

The rogue with the scar stepped even closer, so close I could see the jagged line of his scar in the moonlight. “Such spirit. I’m going to enjoy breaking you,” he whispered.

Rage flared within me, mingling with my fear. “Go to hell!”

His laughter was dark and full of malice. “You’ve got fire, I’ll give you that. But out here, you’re all alone. No one’s coming to save you.”

The circle of rogues tightened, their anticipation palpable. I could feel their eyes on me, watching, waiting for the moment when I would crumble.

My heart pounded, each beat a thunderous drum in my chest. I knew I couldn’t fight them all off, not in this state. My only hope was to stall, to find an opening, a way to escape. The scar man’s taunting words echoed in my mind, each one a reminder of the dire situation I was in.

“You think you’re so tough,” I said, my voice shaking with a mix of defiance and desperation. “But you’re nothing without a pack. Just a bunch of strays, scavenging for scraps.”

The rogues bristled at my words, their anger flaring. “Watch your mouth, little girl,” one of them growled, his eyes flashing with fury.

I squared my shoulders, refusing to back down. “Why should I? You’re nothing but cowards, preying on those who are weaker than you. It’s pathetic.”

The scar man’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, hard stare. “You’re going to regret that,” he said softly, the threat in his words chilling me to the bone.

Suddenly, a severe pain shot through my body, doubling me over. I gasped, clutching my sides as the pain intensified. Did he do something? From the surprised look on his face, I knew it wasn’t him. This was it. The first shift. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

“No, no, no,” I whispered to myself, trying to push the pain away. But it was no use. The pain didn’t go away, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The rogues noticed my distress and smirked. “What's the matter, little pretty? Feeling a bit under the weather?” One mocked.

I glared at them, gritting my teeth against the pain. “This isn’t over,” I spat, but my voice lacked its usual strength.

One of the rogues took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “Oh, I think it is. You're in no condition to fight us now.”

As the pain ripped through my body, I felt a presence within me, a force I had never encountered before. I instinctively knew it was my wolf, Elise. Her voice echoed in my mind, strong and reassuring.

“Elena, it’s me, Elise. I’m here.”

I struggled to focus, the pain blurring my vision. “Elise? This is not a good time for the first shift. We’re surrounded by rogues!”

“I know,” she replied calmly. “But we can use this. We’re stronger together. We can fight them off.”

“I don’t know how to shift, Elise. I can feel the pain, but I don’t know how to make it happen.”

Elise’s presence was a bright and positive force, cutting through my fear. “You can do this, Elena. Trust me. Just let go. Let the shift happen.”

The pain was becoming unbearable. My muscles felt like they were on fire, and I could barely stand. Sweat poured down my face, and my vision swam with tears. Despite Elise’s encouragement, I could sense that something was off.

“Elise, it hurts so much. I don’t think I can do this.”

Slowly, Elise seemed to realize that something strange was happening. “Wait, I don’t understand. Why can’t you do this? ”

The pain was overwhelming, but it wasn't leading me anywhere. I could feel that it brought Elise to me, but then it stopped, as if blocked by some mysterious power.

The rogues were getting closer, their laughter ringing in my ears. Panic surged through me, and I felt myself slipping.

“Elena, focus on me. We can get through this. We can escape. ” Elise’s voice was a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge.

“Elise, what do they want? Why are they here? Where is Zach?”

“They’re rogues, Elena. They thrive on chaos and fear. But we’re not going to give them that satisfaction. We’re stronger than they are. And forget about Zach. He is not here.”

As the pain grew stronger, I suddenly caught a scent in the air. It was a smell that I loved, something familiar and comforting, yet laced with an edge of danger. It was a mix of bergamot and cedarwood—intense and intriguing, but also carrying a hint of peril. Elise’s excitement mirrored my own.

“Do you smell that? ” She asked, her voice filled with longing.

“Yes,” I replied, my senses sharpening. “What is it?”

Before I could ponder further, one of the rogues reached out to touch me. “This one's gonna be fun,” he said with a lecherous grin.

“Get your hands off me!” I snapped, trying to back away. But my body was still wracked with pain, and I couldn’t move fast enough.

Just then, a deep, commanding voice cut through the chaos. “Enough.”

The rogues froze, their heads snapping around to look at the source of the voice. I turned too, and my breath caught in my throat. A man emerged from the shadows, walking toward us with an air of authority that was impossible to ignore.

He was the most handsome man I had ever seen, even more handsome than Zach. His features were chiseled and perfect, his eyes a striking shade of amber that seemed to pierce through the darkness. His dark hair framed his face, and there was a dangerous edge to him that both frightened and fascinated me. He was tall and muscular, exuding power and confidence with every step. His presence was electrifying.

The rogues, who had been so confident and cruel, now looked uneasy and submissive. He had to be their leader, which was strange. Rogues didn’t usually have leaders. They were disorganized, driven by their basest instincts. But this man was different. He didn’t look like a rogue at all. He looked so decent, even noble.

The rogues stepped back as he approached. He commanded their obedience with nothing more than a word. As he drew nearer, the intoxicating scent of bergamot and cedarwood grew stronger, wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

Elise’s reaction was immediate and intense. “Mate, ”she breathed, her voice filled with awe and desire.

“Mate?” I echoed, stunned. “Him? Whose mate?”

“Ours of course!” She said.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding, as the man stopped a few feet away from me, his gaze intense and unreadable. Without a word, he turned to the rogues and ordered them to leave. They obeyed instantly, melting back into the shadows.

I was left alone with this stranger, my heart racing and my body still trembling with the remnants of pain. I could feel the power radiating from him, a magnetic pull that drew me in despite the fear gnawing at my insides.

He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite identify. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice softer now, almost gentle.

I nodded, unable to find my voice. I was utterly confused, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Who was this man? Why did he have such a hold over the rogues? And why did Elise believe he was our mate?

He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. “You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said, a note of concern in his voice.

“I wasn’t alone,” I managed to say, my voice shaking. “I was looking for someone.”

His eyes darkened slightly. “It’s dangerous in these woods. You never know who you might run into.”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. “Who are you?” I asked, needing to understand this mysterious man who had appeared out of nowhere.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “My name is Ryder.”

“Ryder Hale.”

Wait, what did he say his name was? Ryder. Ryder Hale. That name sounded so familiar.

The moment I realized what that name meant, all the blood drained from my face. Ryder Hale. The name was familiar, whispered in hushed tones among the pack. He was a rogue leader, a figure of fear and legend. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.