Blood and Howl

Chapter Two - The Alpha’s Oath

Ayla woke to warmth and the scent of pine smoke and musk. She blinked against the early morning light pouring through half-drawn curtains. Soft flannel sheets covered her, and she wasn’t in her aunt's cabin.

She sat up too quickly. Pain flared at the back of her head, and a low growl echoed from the doorway.

"Easy," came the voice. "You hit your head when you fainted."

The man from the forest, Kael Thorne stood there, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. He was dressed now, a black Henley stretching across his broad chest. Scars traced along his forearms, and the air around him thrummed with restrained energy.

"Where am I?" Ayla managed.

"Safe," he replied, stepping inside. "My home."

Her eyes widened. "You live in the forest?"-

"Near it. Within the pack's territory. You're lucky I found you when I did. That rogue... he wasn’t just hunting. He was testing boundaries."

Ayla swung her legs over the edge of the bed. "Pack? You mean like... wolves?"

"Werewolves."

The word hung in the air like smoke.

She stared. "You're serious."

Kael nodded, a shadow crossing his face. "And you're not just anyone. The bond—we felt it. Didn’t you?"

Ayla opened her mouth, closed it, then whispered, "Mate."

Kael's jaw tightened. "It’s rare. Sacred. And it means you're part of this world now, whether you want it or not."

Silence stretched between them.

"Why me?" she asked, voice trembling.

Kael looked away. "I don’t know. But I won't let anything happen to you. Not while you’re under my protection."

Footsteps echoed beyond the door. A knock.

"Alpha," a voice called. "The council is waiting. They know she’s here."

Ayla tensed. "Council?"

Kael sighed. "They don’t take kindly to outsiders. Especially ones destined to be Luna."

"Luna?"

"The Alpha's mate. The heart of the pack."

And just like that, Ayla's life changed again. Not by accident, but by destiny.

And danger was only just beginning to circle.