LOST ALPHA

chapter 4: Hunter's secret

Next morning, Micheal's mind was still on the mysterious girl he had rescued.

"Mara..." he whispered as he sharpened his hunting knife.

He couldn't explain why her face lingered in his thoughts. It felt as if he had known her all his life.

James stepped out of the cabin carrying a bundle of firewood.

"You've been distracted since yesterday," he observed.

Micheal smiled awkwardly. "I met someone in the forest."

James chuckled. "A deer or a girl?"

"A girl."

The old hunter's smile faded.

"Be careful, son. Not everyone who enters Blackwood comes with good intentions."

Michael nodded, though his heart told him Mara was different.

Later that afternoon, Michael returned to the clearing where they had met.

To his surprise, Mara was already there, sitting beside a crystal-clear stream.

"You came," Michael said with a grin.

"I wasn't sure you would," she replied.

The two spent hours talking. Michael told her about growing up in the forest, while Mara carefully avoided speaking about her family or where she truly came from.

As the sun began to set, Michael noticed a deep cut on Mara's arm—the wound from the Shadow Wolf attack.

"Hold still," he said.

He gently wrapped the wound with a strip of clean cloth.

Their hands touched.

A sudden surge of silver light burst from beneath their feet.

The stream rippled violently, and glowing runes appeared on the rocks before fading just as quickly.

Both of them stumbled back in shock.

"What was that?" Mara whispered.

"I... I don't know."

Neither realized that the Moon Goddess had just recognized them as destined mates.

Hidden high in the trees, a pair of crimson eyes watched every moment.

One of Alpha Bond's elite warriors lowered his hood.

"So, the rumors are true," he muttered.

"The hunter has found the princess."

Without another word, he vanished into the shadows.

That night, Bond listened as his spy reported everything.

"They met again, my Alpha. They seem... close."

Rage exploded across Bond's face.

"My daughter will never love the blood of Moonfang!"

He slammed his fist onto the stone throne, cracking it.

"Prepare my warriors."

"If the hunter truly carries the blood of the Lost Alpha..."

"I will end his life with my own hands."

Far away, Michael stood outside his cabin, staring at the glowing Blood Moon rising over Blackwood Forest.

A strange voice echoed inside his mind.

"Your past is calling... and your enemies are already coming."

Micheal spun around.

No one was there.

Only the sound of wolves howling in the darkness.