Chapter Eight
1143 Words
Ellie couldn’t sleep.
Even after they returned to Grayson’s pack’s territory, exhaustion never came. She paced in the cabin Grayson had given her, the weight of Caleb’s words pressing on her chest.
"The Blood Moon is coming. And when it does… you’ll have to choose."
She ran a hand through her tangled hair, frustration boiling inside her.
How was she supposed to choose when she barely understood what she was?
When she didn’t even know what she wanted?
A knock at the door startled her. Before she could answer, it swung open, and Grayson stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
“You’re awake,” he said quietly.
Ellie let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, well, it’s kinda hard to sleep when you’ve got a psycho Alpha breathing down your neck.”
Grayson’s jaw tightened. “Caleb won’t touch you. I’ll make sure of it.”
Something in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. There was an edge to it—a quiet, simmering rage barely contained beneath the surface.
She knew he was angry. Not just at Caleb, but at the situation. At the fact that she was caught in the middle of a war she never asked for.
Ellie sighed, leaning against the wall. “Tell me the truth, Grayson. What happens on the Blood Moon?”
Grayson hesitated. Then, finally, he said, “It’s a time of power. The moon amplifies our strength, our instincts. For Alphas, it’s a night where bonds are formed… or broken.”
Ellie frowned. “Bonds?”
His gray eyes met hers. “Mating bonds.”
A strange heat crawled up her neck. “You mean—”
“If an Alpha claims a mate on the Blood Moon, their bond is sealed,” Grayson said, his voice low. “It’s unbreakable.”
Ellie’s heart pounded. “So that’s what Caleb wants? To use the Blood Moon to—”
“Claim you.” Grayson’s fists clenched. “If he marks you under the Blood Moon, you’ll be tied to him forever.”
Ellie’s stomach turned. The thought of Caleb staking a claim on her, of being bound to him for life, made her skin crawl.
She swallowed hard. “And what if I refuse?”
Grayson exhaled. “He won’t give you a choice, Ellie. That’s why we have to stop him.”
Ellie’s hands trembled. She had spent so long running from this world, from who she was. But now… she couldn’t run anymore.
She wouldn’t.
She lifted her chin, determination hardening her voice. “Then teach me.”
Grayson blinked. “What?”
“I need to be stronger,” Ellie said. “If Caleb comes for me, I won’t just let him take me. I’ll fight.”
A slow, dark smile touched Grayson’s lips. “Then let’s begin.”
The training grounds were silent, the first rays of dawn painting the sky in soft shades of gold and crimson.
Ellie stood barefoot in the dirt, her heart pounding as Grayson circled her like a predator.
“You’re strong,” he said. “But strength isn’t enough.”
Ellie swallowed hard, watching the way his muscles tensed, his movements precise.
“You need to be faster. Smarter. You need to think like a wolf.”
Ellie took a deep breath and nodded.
Grayson didn’t hesitate.
He moved—fast.
Ellie barely had time to react before he was on her, his body a blur as he struck. She dodged at the last second, twisting away just as his arm shot out, aiming for her throat.
Too slow.
He caught her wrist, spinning her around and slamming her into the dirt.
Ellie gasped, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs.
Grayson crouched over her, his grip firm but careful. “Again.”
Ellie growled, frustration burning through her.
She wouldn’t be weak.
She wouldn’t let Caleb win.
She surged forward, letting her instincts take over. This time, when Grayson lunged, she moved—dropping low and sweeping her leg beneath his feet.
He stumbled.
It was only for a second, but it was enough.
Ellie twisted, slamming her shoulder into his chest and sending him crashing into the dirt.
A stunned silence filled the air.
Then Grayson laughed—a deep, rich sound that sent warmth curling through her.
“Better,” he murmured.
Ellie smirked. “I learn fast.”
Grayson’s gaze darkened. “Yeah, you do.”
A sudden tension crackled between them, thick and heavy.
Ellie’s pulse raced as Grayson’s eyes flickered to her lips. For a moment, she thought he might close the distance—might kiss her right there in the dirt, the heat between them too strong to ignore.
But then—
A sharp howl cut through the air.
Grayson’s head snapped up, his entire body going rigid.
Ellie’s blood ran cold.
That wasn’t just any howl.
It was a warning.
They weren’t alone.
Grayson was on his feet in an instant, his body tense. “Stay behind me.”
Ellie didn’t argue.
A second later, shadows emerged from the trees—figures moving like ghosts through the early morning light.
Caleb’s wolves.
There were at least ten of them, their eyes glowing in the dim light, their bodies tense with anticipation.
And in the center of them—
Caleb.
Ellie’s breath caught.
He looked relaxed, casual even, as he stepped forward, his golden eyes locking onto hers.
“Good morning, little Alpha,” he drawled. “I see you’ve been training.”
Grayson growled. “Get off our land.”
Caleb smirked. “Or what?”
Ellie clenched her fists, her heart pounding.
She wasn’t ready for this. Not yet.
But Caleb didn’t care.
He tilted his head, his expression turning almost… amused. “You really think you can fight me, Ellie?”
Ellie lifted her chin. “I know I can.”
Caleb’s smirk widened. “Then prove it.”
And then, without warning—
He attacked.
The world exploded into chaos.
Grayson lunged, intercepting Caleb mid-air, the force of their collision sending shockwaves through the clearing.
The other wolves followed, teeth bared, claws flashing.
Ellie’s body moved on instinct, dodging a strike from a wolf twice her size. She twisted, slamming her elbow into its ribcage before shifting—her wolf bursting free in a blur of amber fur.
She fought.
She survived.
But it wasn’t enough.
Because Caleb was too strong.
Within seconds, he had Grayson pinned, his claws digging into his throat.
Ellie let out a furious snarl, charging forward—
But Caleb was faster.
He spun, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck and slamming her into the ground.
Pain exploded through her skull.
Caleb leaned down, his voice a whisper against her ear. “You will be mine, Ellie.”
Ellie’s vision blurred.
And then—
Darkness.
- Writer
