Tamed by Desire

Chapter Three - The Cats Out

Charlotte’s POV

The nerve of that woman. I had no energy left to spar with her remarks, so I let it go.

When the door finally shut behind her, I leaned against it, the weight of everything pressing down.

Then I turned back to the room — not so vibrant anymore — where Richard, William, and Penelope waited. Expectant. Wary.

I sat near the fire William had just lit, watching flames lick at the wood.

“First of all,” I began, my voice low, heavy with regret, “I’m truly and deeply sorry you had to find out this way.”

Their gazes sharpened, but I pushed forward.

I didn’t have a good upbringing. Being the daughter of one of the strongest Packs in the Northern Hemisphere comes with… many duties. And sacrifices.”

“Wait—what did you just say?” Penelope’s voice cracked. She leaned forward, disbelief etched across her face, certain she’d misheard.

I drew in a breath, eyes lifting to the photo on the mantelpiece. Adam and I, frozen in happier times. What I was about to say would change everything.

“I am the heir to the Shadowmoon Pack,” I said softly. “But I never wanted that life." I never wanted the arranged marriage my parents forged to strengthen alliances.

My fingers found my wedding band, tracing the metal as memories washed over me.

I married your father instead. I married for love. Your grandparents did everything they could to tear us apart. That’s why we ran. I even changed my name.

Penelope whispered, almost reverently, “De La Salle…” The name hung in the air like a spell.

“Yes. That’s our bloodline.” My throat tightened. “Your grandparents made it clear — if I refused their chosen mate, they’d hurt Adam. So we did the only thing we could: we ran, and we never looked back.

Richard’s eyes narrowed, suspicion dawning. “So Dad knew about this?”

“Yes. We both came back here — to his pack. Your grandparents never cared to know his name, or his lineage. That made hiding easier.

I swallowed hard. “No one here knew who I was." Or where I came from. It kept you safe… until now.

The weight of it broke something in Richard. His voice shook, fury barely contained.

So at no point did you think we deserved the truth? You know William and I would’ve kept it quiet. We’re not kids anymore. I can’t believe you and Dad hid this from us!”

He stormed out, William following close behind.

I reached out, desperate, but Richard pulled away. He wouldn’t even let me hug him goodbye.

Penelope was talking, but her words blurred into static. My brain was spinning, the hamster dead on the wheel. I had to get out.

Upstairs, the little ones slept soundly. Claire hunched over her laptop, fingers flying as she cracked into the FBI system to search for reports on the plane crash. William and Richard had gone to the academy to vent their anger.

Now was the time.

I slipped out, night air cooled against my skin. Above, a navy sky scattered with stars. One in particular always found me when I needed it most — my Adam’s star.

Closing the back door softly, I crossed damp grass to the edge of the woods. My heart hammered. My pace quickened.

In three strides, I tore the black dress from my body and let the change take me.

Bones stretched, muscles rippled, fur surged across my skin like wildfire. The world sharpened — pine sap stung my nose, a rabbit’s heartbeat thrummed in the brush, the wind whispered through the trees.

Lira howled in my head, “Finally.” Her joy was mine as we ran, paws pounding earth, each stride a release.

Halfway up the mountain, Adam’s memory struck me — his laugh, wild and breathless, as Valcrow thundered beside him. You’ll never beat me, Charlotte, he’d teased. And yet, I had. Twice. I could still see his gleaming eyes, untamed and alive.

Ten kilometers blurred away before we reached our cliff — our racing ground. The world stretched wide below, silver moon above, stars glittering clear.

Lira paced at the edge, ears flicking back. A whine broke loose from my throat before I could stop it. No trace of Adam lingered here. No scent, no heartbeat. Only emptiness.

The ache rose, unbearable, and I threw back my head. A howl ripped free — raw, jagged, carrying his name to the stars.

For a heartbeat, the world stalled. The crescent moon flared brighter, Adam’s star burned white-hot — as if the night itself had answered.

But then exhaustion dragged me under. Heavy. Cold. Lira’s warning echoed faintly: Don’t let it feel heavy.

I fought it — fists clenched, breath shallow — but darkness swallowed the forest whole.

And Shadowbind took me.

I stood beneath the ancient Rimu tree, wearing a wedding gown that clung strange and heavy. Another man appeared five meters away, Lira prowling at her side.

Opposite her, a man emerged. Too tall for Adam, six-ten at least, broad-shouldered, dressed in a centuries-old grey suit.

My stomach knotted. I wanted to shout, to warn her, but a hand closed warmly over my shoulder.

I turned.

Adam.

Every fiber of me ached to hold him, but something unseen held me back.

When I looked again, Adam was twenty-five meters away, drifting farther.

“Adam! Please—come back!” I cried, but my voice carried nowhere.

He lifted a hand — stop.

The forest blinked out.

The other me, Lira, the tall man — gone. Only Adam remained, blood streaking his face, lips moving soundlessly.

I tried to run, but my body refused. Then, in a blink, he was upon me. His hand gripped the back of my neck.

I closed my eyes, bracing for his touch.

When I opened them — it wasn’t Adam.

A towering shadow loomed inches from me, faceless, features drowned in black.

And yet I wasn’t afraid. That same chill from the wake seeped into me. Familiar. Wrong.

It leaned close, breath hot against my lips.

“You’re mine.”

I jolted awake, still in wolf form, fur damp with sweat.

Lira shook herself, breaking the silence.

“What the f**k was that?” she purred.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “But it wasn’t Adam.”

Tears burned down my human face for the first time since the news.

Lira lifted her muzzle and howled — a cry of pain, loss, and something I couldn’t yet name.

I let her be, standing in silence beneath the moon.

Then the wind shifted. A cold scent sliced through the air. Holt.

“Lira… Holt…” I breathed, but Lira whined, eager to follow.

“No. Don’t. Take us home. Now.”

We tore through the forest, shadows chasing us.

Even back on our land, even clothed again, the feeling lingered. Eyes on me. Watching. Waiting.

And deep down, I knew this wasn’t over.