Betrayed By The Moon

Chapter 2

Elena POV

The party was in full swing, and I was surrounded by laughter, music, and the warm glow of fairy lights. Everywhere I turned, friends and pack members greeted me with smiles and compliments. The pendant Zach had made for me was the center of attention, and I found myself constantly touching it, feeling its cool silver surface against my skin.

“Elena, that pendant is sooooo cute!” one of the girls gushed, her eyes wide with admiration. “Zach has such great taste and skills.”

“Thank you,” I replied, beaming with pride. “He really does.”

Zach was by my side, his presence as commanding as always. He seemed to draw people to him effortlessly, his charisma and charm making him the focal point of any gathering. Many of the girls in our pack watched me with envy, and I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. Zach was not only my boyfriend but also the Alpha’s son. Together, we were a perfect match, admired and envied by everyone around us. Though we do not know if we’re fated mates yet, everyone sees us as the future Alpha and Luna.

Despite my happiness, a small part of me felt a pang of disappointment. My father still hadn’t shown up. I had hoped, even if just for tonight, he would push through his grief and be here for me. But as the night wore on, it became increasingly clear that he wouldn’t come.

As I was longing for my father’s presence, Alpha Logan and Gamma Bryce came to my party. Their presence commanded respect, and the crowd around us parted to make way for them. People were awed by their presence, and I could hear whispers spreading through the room.

“Isn’t that Alpha Logan and Gamma Bryce?”

“They came to Elena’s party?”

“I know what! Elena has been recognized by Alpha Logan as his son's future Luna. Ah, that lucky girl!”

“She deserves it! Can’t you see how perfect she is?”

It was a great honor that the Alpha appeared at a teenager's birthday party, even though I was the Beta's daughter. The crowd exchanged glances, clearly impressed.

“Happy birthday, Elena,” Alpha Logan said, his voice warm and reassuring. “You look stunning tonight.”

“Thank you, Logan,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Gamma Bryce nodded, his expression kind. “We’re so proud of you, Elena. Your father is too. He’s just too occupied with... you know.”

“I appreciate that, Bryce. Thank you for being here,” I said, forcing a smile.

Alpha Logan stepped closer and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve grown into a remarkable young woman, Elena. Your mother would be proud. And we’re all here to support you, not just tonight, but always.”

His words were filled with affection, and I felt a lump form in my throat. “Thank you, Logan. It means a lot to me.”

Gamma Bryce added, “You’re like a daughter to us, Elena. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re family.”

I nodded, overwhelmed by their kindness. “I will, thank you.”

They both gave me reassuring smiles before moving on to mingle with other guests. I tried to push aside the nagging feeling of disappointment and focus on the celebration. The party was a success, and I had so many friends here to support me.

As the evening drew closer to midnight, I realized I hadn’t seen Zach in a while. Concerned, I started looking for him, weaving through the crowd. He had been drinking quite a bit, and I worried he might have had too much.

“Elena, are you looking for Zach?” Celia asked, appearing at my side.

“Yeah, I can’t seem to find him,” I replied, glancing around the venue.

“I saw him head towards the forest a little while ago,” she said, her tone casual. “Maybe he needed some fresh air.”

Just as I was about to respond, my phone buzzed with a text message. I pulled it out and saw it was from Zach.

[Meet me in the forest. I have another surprise for you before midnight and your shift.]

A mixture of happiness and unease washed over me. While I was thrilled at the thought of another surprise, the location seemed odd. It wasn’t like Zach to wander that far into the forest, especially before such an important event.

“Celia, Zach just texted me,” I said, showing her the message. “He wants me to meet him in the forest. It’s a bit far, though, and I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

Celia’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Maybe he wants to see your first shift alone. It’s a big deal, and it could be really special.” She paused, then added, “You know, fated mates alone have the power to comfort and ease the pain of the first shift.”

Her words gave me pause. The first shift was known to be painful and commanding, requiring support from family and friends. Choosing a familiar place was customary to provide a sense of security. But the idea that Zach might be my fated mate, and that he wanted to be there for me in such an intimate way, was incredibly touching.

“You think he could be my fated mate?” I asked, my heart fluttering at the thought.

“Why not?” Celia said with a shrug and a smile. “Go, Elena. This could be really special.”

Her encouragement and the thought of Zach waiting for me with another surprise gave me the push I needed. I took a deep breath and made my way to the edge of the forest.

The forest loomed dark and imposing before me, the moon casting eerie shadows on the ground. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a chill run down my spine. But the thought of Zach waiting for me pushed me forward. I stepped into the forest, the sounds of the party fading behind me.

The deeper I went, the darker and more unsettling it became. The trees seemed to close in around me, their branches twisting into menacing shapes. My earlier excitement was replaced by a growing sense of unease. The path Zach had mentioned was unfamiliar, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Finally, I reached the spot Zach had mentioned in his message. It was a small clearing, bathed in the pale light of the moon. But Zach was nowhere to be seen. I called out his name, my voice sounding small and frightened in the vast darkness.

“Zach?”

There was no response. Just the eerie silence of the forest. A sense of dread settled over me, and I began to feel the first tendrils of fear. I took a step back, my instincts screaming at me to run.

I took out my phone and checked the message from Zach again, hoping I had made a mistake and misread it. But the text was clear, directing me to this very spot. Unease gnawed at me, but I pushed it aside, trying to hold onto the thought that Zach was planning something special. Maybe he was hiding, ready to jump out and surprise me.

“Zach, if this is a joke, it’s not funny!” I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. “Come out, please.”

But there was no answer. The silence pressed in around me, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I turned slowly, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The forest seemed to be holding its breath, waiting.

Suddenly, a twig snapped behind me. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. Out of the darkness, several figures emerged, their faces shadowed but their eyes gleaming with a predatory light. They were not Zach or anyone I recognized. These were strangers, and they radiated danger.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in their fierce expressions and the way they moved, like wolves closing in on their prey. I knew instantly that they were rogues—werewolves without a pack, living on the fringes of our society. They were dangerous and unpredictable, and their presence here could only mean trouble.

Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. Running would only trigger their instincts to chase. I needed to think, to find a way out of this. My mind raced as I backed away slowly, trying to keep my distance from the advancing rogues.