Craving The Blue Wolf Luna

CHAPTER 1 LEILA'S POV I hummed as I strode across the greenery bushes, the evening dew catching on the hem of my dress as I walked toward the blue Elias flower. I remembered my mother had told me she’d planted it right next to the moongrove plant on the hill, and yes, I admit I may have lost my way several times this morning, but the good news was I’d finally managed to locate the blue flower. I had grinned the minute I saw its bright blue petals glistening under the focused ray of my torchlight. The minute I grabbed its stem, I smiled and whispered, “Gotcha!” then yanked it out gently, making sure to pull up all its roots along with it. Mother told me to take just two for the concoction she was making, but I took a third one anyway—for reasons best known to me, of course. Just as I placed the flowers into my tiny little basket, I heard the sharp scrape of metal, and in the very next second, I felt the cold edge of a blade press against my neck. “One step and your head comes off.” I froze, my eyes wide as I stared at the end of the blade right next to my head, my basket on the floor was long forgotten. What is happening?!...I thought to myself…Am I being kidn*pped? My heart pounded against my ribcage as sweat slowly formed on my forehead and gathered in the crooks of my armpits. My belly was hurting and cramping, and my legs had already started to shake from fear. All the stories we were being told as children were ringing in my mind, and I could almost picture the end of my life lying on a long metallic table. Tears pooled in my eyes as I thought of my family— “Turn around slowly,” the harsh voice ordered calmly. I’d never been in this kind of situation before, so I decided it was safer to do exactly as I was told instead of begging for my life or trying to run. But I never saw who had their blade to my neck, because the person mirrored my movements and stayed directly behind me. I felt a slight nudge and heard, “Move.” That was all my legs needed to start walking in a straight line. I kept rubbing my sweaty palms against my dirty apron, but it did nothing to help. My wolf paced wildly inside me, eager to burst free and escape, but she couldn’t. Not because we were scared, but because we physically couldn’t shift. Goddess, I know I’ve been a very mischievous daughter, but please save me this once. I’m still a virgin, I haven’t met my mate yet, I haven’t had kids! You can’t end my life like this— I paused without meaning to when a tantalizing musky scent I couldn’t explain hit me from nowhere, completely forgetting the man holding me captive with his sword. My eyes snapped open as I looked around, wondering if we’d somehow left the forest—which was impossible, because we’d only walked a short distance—and truly we were still deep in the forest, which didn’t explain where that sweet scent was coming from. “I found her, Alpha,” the man behind me said, and that’s when I realized we were suddenly in the presence of another man. His back was turned to us, clad in the longest black cape I had ever seen. I hadn't noticed him before, because that was just how well he blended into the darkness. When he turned around, his red eyes instantly caught my attention, and instead of fear, what I felt was a sudden rush of sparks running down my spine. I had never felt more alive than I did now, and it was all just because I had set my eyes on this man. When he moved closer, I realized the sweet, musky scent was coming from him, and by the time he stood before me, I was already hazy in the head just from meeting his gaze. The next set of words that followed snapped me right out of my daze. Mate! Mate!! Mate!!! My wolf chanted within me, and before I could recover from the shock of finally seeing my mate, he drew his sword and aimed it straight at me. “Where are the rest?” he asked, and even his voice sent a catalytic reaction through my body, despite the sudden fear stirring in my heart from the stern look on his face. “Wh..what are you… I'm the only one here,” I answered finally, but that only earned me an even deeper, angrier look. “Don't mess with me, Rogue.” Rogue?! “Tell me where the others are, and I’ll spare your life.” I blinked, eyeing the blade warily. “I swear on the moon goddess, I am not a rogue. I just came out here to pick some moongroves for my—” I paused, and his head tilted to the side while his brows lowered suspiciously. “I'm a pack wolf, not a rogue. Please, you must be mistaken.” “Really? Then show me your pack, and let me decide that for myself.” He smiled, a creepy grin that exposed the sharp edges of his fangs. I instinctively took a step back, staring at him through lowered lashes. The hairs on my body stood on end, and his words did anything but make me feel safe. “I can't,” I whispered. “I've never met anyone willing to die to keep a bunch of evil rogues safe.” He chuckled, his sword still pointed at my neck, the moonlight glinting off its sharp blade. “I told you, we’re not rogues. We’re a small pack that has always kept to ourselves and stayed perfectly hidden. Even if you kill me, you’ll never find them.” I felt movement behind me, but the Alpha raised his hand and said, “Stop.” I turned and saw my captor with his blade raised. My heartbeat spiked. His eyes were brown, his face tight and rugged. He didn’t look half as dangerous as my mate, but I feared him more—because with just one wrong move, he could kill me with a single swing. When I turned, I found myself staring deep into a pair of blood-red eyes. I stumbled backward in panic, but he grabbed my arm and yanked me closer. “With or without you, I'll find them,” he said raspily and without another word, he buried his nose in the crook of my neck and sniffed, hard!