Marked under the blood moon

The Stranger in the Dark

Elara's POV

One of the rogues laughed without even turning around.

"Back off, lad. Go find your own woman."

"Wait..." another rogue stammered. "He's not"

All of them slowly turned to look behind them.

I followed their gaze.

A man stood there, dressed in black from head to toe. He was tall, with broad shoulders that seemed to fill the space around him. Even standing still, he gave off power and danger.

He looked stronger than Liam who was already a powerful Alpha heir.

But I couldn't see his face in the darkness.

“I said leave her alone,” the man spoke again, his voice calm but deadly. “Don’t make me say it a third time.”

Fear flashed across the rogues’ faces.

“s**t. Let’s go,” one muttered.

They backed away quickly, cursing under their breath, and then disappeared into the forest.

Silence followed.

Now it was just him.

From where I stood, I could feel it.

He was in heat too.

The pull between us was instant and overwhelming. I felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

For one brief second, warning bells rang in my head.

Had I escaped one group of predators only to face something worse?

Then he started walking toward me.

With every step, that intoxicating scent grew stronger. It wrapped around me, pulling me closer even as my heart raced.

“Mine,” the stranger said.

His arm slid around my waist.

Electric heat shot through my body.

I swallowed hard. He was irresistible.

My hands grabbed his arms, not to push him away, but to hold on. The warmth of his body pressed against mine, making my breath hitch.

My heart still pounded, but now it matched the rhythm of his.

I found myself clinging to his shoulders.

One of his hands moved slowly along my waist, up my side, and rested on my neck. He gently tilted my face toward the moon.

Then his mouth claimed mine.

The kiss hit me like lightning.

I gasped and opened my lips, letting him deepen the kiss. Heat spread through me as his mouth and tongue moved against mine.

No one had ever kissed me like this.

Time slipped away in gasps and stolen breaths.

His hands and lips left trails of fire across my skin. I trembled as he slid his hands beneath my clothes.

I moaned softly when his fingers found me, touching me where I was already wet and aching.

We had passed anything I had ever done with Liam.

And I didn’t care.

There was only this man. Only him.

The moon blurred above me as pleasure took over. I lost myself in the sensations, in the heat and need.

Nothing had ever felt this good.

I felt like liquid moonlight in his arms as he undressed me under the soft glow of the moon.

I unbuttoned his clothes, desperate to feel his skin against mine.

His mouth travelled across my body as if he were worshipping me. The sounds he made felt like praise, making me feel wanted and cherished.

“Mine,” he growled again.

He stroked my skin and listened to my soft cries as he moved behind me.

His hands were everywhere.

I felt him press against me, seeking entrance. I spread myself for him, needing him more than anything. The mating heat burned through my veins.

Then he was inside me.

Taking me.

Pleasure exploded inside me. Somewhere nearby, a wolf howled.

After our first joining, we leaned against each other, breathing hard. He was solid and burning hot as I rested against his chest. He moved slowly inside me, keeping us connected.

He kissed the top of my head gently.

Then we found each other again.

Over and over.

When we finally pulled apart, it was only so I could climb onto him, straddling his lap.

He kissed along my jaw as his hands gripped my hips, lifting me as he entered me again.

I rocked against him, feeling him deep inside me.

His nails scratched down my back as he made low sounds of approval.

I rode him with all the passion I had.

He lifted himself to kiss me again, his hands exploring every part of me. He whispered soft words against my skin, like prayers.

I felt beautiful.

I felt treasured.

Then he flipped me onto my back and thrust into me again, harder this time, claiming my lips.

When his mouth moved to my neck, there was a sharp sting followed by a rush of pleasure so strong it made me cry out.

My body shook as he drove into me.

We moved together until the pleasure overwhelmed us both.

We climaxed at the same time, crying out as the world shattered around us.

I didn’t know his name.

I didn’t know who he was.

But in that moment, none of it mattered.

I was his.

He was mine.

We fit perfectly together.

That was all that mattered.

I woke in the early morning, lying in cool, dewy grass.

The stranger lay behind me, his strong arms wrapped around me.

I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I traced the shape of his jaw with my fingers.

Who are you? I wondered.

Whoever he was, he was incredibly strong.

I couldn’t believe my first mating had been with a rogue in the forest.

And yet, it was hard to feel regret when it had felt so right.

“Thank you for protecting me,” I whispered against his cheek. “And thank you for showing me pleasure.”

Carefully, I slipped out of his arms and dressed. My body ached in places, sore from the night before. My face warmed as memories flooded back.

It had been beautiful.

But it would remain my secret.

Forever.

As dawn broke through the trees, I left quietly without waking him.

I hurried back home.

Voices echoed from the living room as I tried to sneak down the hallway toward my room.

“The Alpha heir is quite the catch, Seraphina,” my father said proudly.

“Think of the honour this brings our family,” my stepmother added happily. She was the same woman who once accused me of lying about my wolf and encouraged others to mock me.

You would think my father, the Gamma of the pack, would defend me.

Instead, he blamed me for embarrassing the family.

While they celebrated Seraphina’s mating with Liam, I slipped upstairs unnoticed.

No one seemed to realise I’d been gone all night.

I was exhausted. Dirty. I needed a shower.

As I undressed, my breath caught.

There was a bite mark on my neck.

A mating mark.

How could he mark me?

If anyone saw it, I would be ruined.

Being marked by a rogue without the Alpha’s approval was considered treason.

I had to hide it.

The bathroom door flew open.

“Well, look who finally came home,” Seraphina said happily.

I tried to cover my neck.

“What are you hiding?” she asked, stepping closer.

She grabbed my arm and yanked it down.

“A mating mark!” she laughed cruelly.

“Dad! Mom!” Seraphina shouted.

“Please, Seraphina, don’t,” I begged.

“The pathetic human got marked by someone,” she yelled, “and tried to hide it from us!”