MARKED BY THE MOON'S BETRAYAL

Chapter 2

Lilian POV

It had been five years since I left the Blood Fang Pack. Five years since I had been rejected, shattered, and forced to rebuild myself from the ground up.

I wasn’t the same girl anymore.

I had carved a life for myself in the human world, far from the pack, far from the mate bond that had once dictated my every dream. Here, I was just Lilian Hayes. Not an Alpha’s mate. Not the weak girl who had never shifted. Just a woman trying to survive.

The smell of coffee and vanilla filled the air as I moved behind the counter, forcing a smile while serving another customer.

It had been a long day.

I was really tired and exhausted, I couldn't wait for my shift to be over.

Just as I was about to sit down, a sudden pull tightened in my chest. The warm scent of cinnamon felt familiar. I didn’t have to look up. I felt him before I saw him.

Then, warmth spread through me, an unspoken bond. No. Not again.

I clenched my teeth and took a deep breath. I ignored it, just like I had ignored him for the past few weeks. Just like I had ignored the way my heart raced every time he walked in, the way my body recognized him before my mind could fight it.

I had done this before.

I had felt this connection before.

And it had destroyed me.

I would not fall for it again.

“Hey, love.”

He spoke in a teasing tone, leaning on the counter with his bright blue eyes fixed on mine. His name was Elias, he had mentioned it last time though I hadn’t asked.

There was something about him.

He was breathtaking. His strong jaw and charming smile caught the attention of everyone in the café. His deep blue eyes seemed to glow, and his dark hair fell naturally past his shoulders. Tall and confident, he carried himself with ease. Every glance and smile he gave me felt completely captivating.

I barely spared him a glance. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

"Too late," he said, his smile widening.

“I already know you like me.”

I nearly spilled the coffee.

I turned sharply, placing the cup down harder than necessary. “Excuse me?”

Elias rested his chin on his hand, watching me with a knowing expression. You feel like you're being offended but you still talk to me and you act like you don't want to talk to me.

I crossed my arms. “Maybe I’m just polite.”

“Maybe.” His gaze flickered over me. “Or maybe you feel it too.”

My breath hitched.

Damn him.

He wasn’t wrong.

I felt it. I had felt it the moment I saw him.

But that doesn't mean that I want it.

It doesn't mean that I should trust it.

I swallowed hard and steadied my voice, “I don't know what you're talking about".

Elias sighed and shook his head. “Lilian.”

“Your coffee is ready,” I cut him off, pushing the cup toward him. “Enjoy.”

He didn’t take it.

He looked at me intently, “You're scared of something right?".

I stiffened. “I’m not.”

“Liar.”

My fingers curled into my apron.

I hate that he could see right through me.

“Look, Elias”. I said trying to keep my voice calm. “This isn't going to happen".

A brief look of hurt or frustration crossed his face but he quickly hid it with a smirk.

“Alright,” he said, grabbing his cup. “I’ll keep coming back until you do.”

I groaned. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re very stubborn.” He winked. “See you tomorrow, love.”

And just like that, he walked away.

***********************************

The next day, he was back.

And the day after that.

And the next.

Every morning, Elias would sit at his usual spot, teasing me, and waiting for me to give in.

And damn it, I almost did.

I didn't want to, but he's making it difficult for me.

He was thoughtful, calm and softly determined - just enough to make me feel important, without making me feel pressured.

And the worst part?

I liked it.

I liked him.

But I was still terrified.

So I pushed him away. Again. And again.

Until one night… I couldn’t anymore.

The night air was so chilly as I stepped out of the café, my shift was finally over. The streets were too quiet and I could hear eerie sounds.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Something was wrong.

My breath hitched. My heart pounded as I slowly turned.

Fiery red eyes watched me from the darkness, it's eyes blazing through the night.

The rogue Wolf was so huge, larger than anything I had expected, it stepped closer, steadily, howling and for a seconds I forgot how to breathe.

I couldn’t move.

My body froze, every instinct telling me to run, but my legs wouldn't move.

Shift. The word echoed in my mind.

Nothing happened.

I had never shifted before. I didn’t even know how.

The rogue lunged.

I braced myself, a squeal fighting it's way up my throat.

Suddenly, a surge of movement rammed against the creature, hurling it away from me with a full force that took my breath away.

A massive wolf, fur black as midnight, growled, the sound pounding through the air like a warning.

I felt him.

It was Elias.

With terrifying power, he ripped apart the rogue, his moves swift, sharp and dangerous. The rogue yelped, staggering back before darting into the woods, defeated.

Elias shifted back, panting, his golden eyes locked onto me. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head, but my body trembled violently. My pulse pounded in my ears.

And then,

Growl.

I gasped.

Deep inside me, something stirred, roaring to life.

A low, fierce sound echoed in my head, filling every corner with its rage.

It wasn’t the rogue.

It wasn’t Elias.

It was me.

For the first time in my life, I heard her.

My wolf.

I gripped my chest.

But I still couldn’t shift. Not yet.

The rogue attack changed everything.

I had always believed I was broken—a wolf without a wolf. But when Elias rescued me, that deep animal fierce growl rose from within, the truth hit me like a wave.

I wasn’t alone anymore.

As days went by, his presence clunged to me. It was hushed, unyielding and unwavering.

That night everything changed, fate took it's first step.

I still hesitated. I still pulled away sometimes.

But Elias never did.

While he walked me home one quiet evening, he said something that changed everything.

“I don’t want you to accept me because you feel like you have to,” he murmured. “I want you to choose me, Lilian. Because you want to.”

I stopped walking.

My heart raced as I turned to meet his gaze.

Choose him.

Could I?

I searched his face, the man who had been nothing but patient, kind, and unwavering. The man who made me feel alive again.

And in that moment, I realized…

I already had.

Slowly, I slid my hand into his fingers, letting our fingers interlock.

His eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing.

Then my voice came out with a soft whisper.

“I choose you.”

And when he kissed me, gods.

I knew.

I was finally home.