The Arrogant Blood-Sucking Giant Alpha and His Witch Luna

The first drop of rain fell just as Luna Ashwood stepped into the ancient forest. Cold wind swept through the towering black pines, carrying whispers that sounded almost human. The branches swayed violently above her, as if the forest itself was warning her to turn back. She tightened her worn cloak around her shoulders and continued walking, her boots sinking into the muddy path. "It's only herbs," she whispered to herself. "Gather the herbs and go home." The village healer had sent her into the Forbidden Forest before sunset to collect Moonleaf flowers, herbs that only bloomed beneath a Blood Moon. They were rare, valuable, and dangerous to harvest. But danger had never frightened Luna. People did. Ever since she was a little girl, the villagers had looked at her differently. Some avoided her. Others spat at her feet whenever she passed. "Witch." "Curse." "Daughter of darkness." Those words had followed her for as long as she could remember. No one knew who her parents were. She had been found as a baby wrapped in a crimson blanket beside the ruins of an ancient temple. The old healer, Martha, had taken pity on her and raised her as her own. Yet kindness could never erase fear. Every strange thing that happened in the village was blamed on Luna. If crops failed... It was the witch. If livestock disappeared... It was the witch. If someone fell sick... It had to be Luna. No matter how hard she tried to prove she was kind, the whispers never stopped. She lowered herself beside a glowing patch of Moonleaf flowers. Their silver petals shimmered under the rising crimson moon. "So beautiful," she murmured. As she reached for the first flower, a sharp pain exploded inside her palm. She gasped. A tiny thorn had pierced her skin. One crimson drop of blood landed on the silver petals. The entire forest froze. The wind stopped. The insects fell silent. Even the trees seemed to hold their breath. A deep rumble echoed beneath the ground. Luna quickly stood. "What... was that?" The earth shook violently. Ancient red symbols burst from the ground, circling her feet like burning fire. Her heart pounded. "I have to leave." She turned— Too late. The symbols rose into the air, wrapping around her body in glowing crimson chains. "Let me go!" The chains tightened. Power unlike anything she had ever felt rushed through her veins. Visions flashed before her eyes. A massive black wolf howling beneath a blood-red moon. A handsome man sitting upon a throne made of bones. His crimson eyes burned with hunger. His lips were stained with fresh blood. Behind him stood thousands of wolves, bowing in silence. Then... His gaze met hers. Even in the vision, it felt real. "So..." His deep voice echoed through her mind. "You have finally awakened." Luna screamed. The vision disappeared. The chains shattered into sparks. She collapsed onto the cold ground, breathing heavily. "What was that?" Before she could stand, heavy footsteps echoed through the forest. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Several hooded figures emerged from the darkness. Each wore black armor marked with the crest of a crimson wolf. Their leader removed his hood. Golden eyes. Scar across his cheek. His expression was cold. "We finally found her." Luna stepped backward. "Who are you?" The man ignored her question. He knelt on one knee instead. "We greet the future Luna." Her heart nearly stopped. "What?" The soldiers all knelt beside him. "Our Alpha has waited centuries for your awakening." "I think you've mistaken me for someone else." "No." His eyes locked onto hers. "There is no mistake." He slowly stood. "The Blood Moon Witch has returned." Luna shook her head. "I'm not a witch." The commander smiled. "Our king will decide that." He raised one hand. "Capture her." Panic surged through Luna. She turned and ran. Branches whipped across her face. Roots caught her feet. Behind her, wolves howled. Closer. Closer. Closer. She burst into a clearing— Only to stop abruptly. Standing before her was the largest black wolf she had ever seen. Its glowing crimson eyes stared directly into hers. The beast was nearly twice the size of a horse. Its dark fur shimmered beneath the Blood Moon. Slowly, the wolf transformed. Bones cracked. Muscles shifted. Within seconds, a tall man stood before her. Over seven feet tall. Broad shoulders. Long black hair. Piercing crimson eyes. His handsome face was cold, proud, and terrifying. Blood stained the corner of his lips. He looked at her as though he had waited for this moment. A slow, dangerous smile curved across his face. "So..." His deep voice sent chills through her entire body. "My little witch..." He stepped closer until only inches separated them. "After five hundred years..." He gently lifted her trembling chin. "You finally came back to me." Luna's breathing stopped. "I... I don't even know who you are." His crimson eyes glowed brighter. "I am Kael Draven." "The Giant Alpha." "And you..." His thumb brushed softly across her cheek. "...are mine." Before Luna could speak, darkness swallowed her whole.