Moonbound: The Alpha’s Secret Mate1

The Blood That Binds

The wind blew through the trees, thick with the scent of blood, magic, and something darker. Lira was running, She didn’t remember getting to her feet. Didn’t recall snatching up the broken chain of her locket or how Kade had grabbed her wrist and dragged her along. All she knew was the thunder in her chest, the sting of branches slashing her arms, and Kade’s voice—low, steady, commanding. “Move down. Stay close.” The forest had come alive around them—shouts, crashes, howls that didn’t sound like any animal she knew. The air felt heavy, like even the woods were holding their breath. “Who are they?” she panted, her legs were aching with every step. “What do they want from me?”, “You,” Kade said, not even looking back. “They’re after your blood.” She was startled. This wasn’t a dream. Not some twisted birthday fantasy. This was happening—really happening, she pinched her self just to confirm if they were all happening. The monster. The glowing locket. Kade turning into… whatever he was. Now wolves, cursed creatures, and some kind of prophecy? Kade moved left, leading her down a narrow gully, its sides slick with moss and jagged stone. “We’re close.” “To what?”No answer. Of course. They burst into a hollow ringed with thorn-covered trees. It felt tucked away, hidden—like the forest had carved out a space just for them. Kade came to a sudden stop, and Lira nearly crashed into him. He turned, breathing hard, eyes wild. “Lira, I need you to trust me. Just for a few minutes.” “I don’t even know who you are.” “I saved your life.”She started to argue—then stopped. He had. He’d fought that thing. Risked himself. And somehow, she hadn’t died. The locket had protected her Or something inside her had. She swallowed. “Fine. I’m listening.” Kade stepped in closer, his voice low. “There’s more than one kind of wolf in this world. Mine—born wolves—we follow the Old Code. We protect the bloodlines. We keep the balance. But the cursed? The Shadowborn? They were made through dark magic. Twisted. Their only purpose is to wipe out what remains of the royal blood.” “Royal blood…” Her fingers instinctively gripped the broken locket. “You think I’m part of that?,” “I don’t think,” he said. “I know.” The words hit her like ice. She felt lightheaded, as if the truth was too big, too impossible to carry. “My grandmother… she never told me anything. She made me believe I was just a normal girl.” Kade’s expression softened. “Because she was trying to keep you safe.” A distant howl cut through the trees—closer than before. Kade’s entire body went rigid. “They’re getting close. We can’t stay.” “But I don’t understand any of this—”, “You will,” he said. “But first, we survive.” He crouched by the underbrush, pulling out a leather satchel she hadn’t noticed. From it, he slipped into a pair of dark pants and a fitted shirt—like he’d done this before. Like he was prepared. Lira stared. He looked more human again, but no less dangerous. “Where are we going?” she asked. “To my pack. It’s the only place you’ll be safe.” She hesitated. “And they’ll just accept me? Just like that?” He gave a humorless smile. “They won’t have a choice.” Before she could ask what that meant, the brush behind them exploded. Lira spun around, heart in her throat. Something stepped into the clearing—smaller than the last creature, but faster. Leaner. It looked almost human, but its limbs were too long, its posture too twisted. Its coal-like eyes flickered in the dark, and when it bared its teeth, there were far too many—and all of them sharp. It didn’t wait. It lunged. The creature headed straight for her. Time seemed to shatter. Lira could see every terrible detail—its twisted grin, eyes flickering like dying embers, claws outstretched and aimed for her throat. Her legs wouldn’t move. Her voice caught in her chest. She was frozen. But something inside her wasn’t. A sudden flash surged from her chest—silver, searing—and the air around her bent with the force of it. The creature was thrown back midair, slammed into the thorns with a sound like metal shrieking in flames. Lira dropped to her knees, choking on her breath. Her palms were glowing. Not the locket this time—her skin. Silver light shimmered beneath the surface, running like veins threaded with starlight. “What… what is this?” she breathed, staring at her hands in disbelief. Kade didn’t answer. He was already moving—pinning the creature with one brutal motion. Even in his human form, his claws were visible, sharp and merciless. A single s***h to the neck, clean and final. The cursed didn’t bleed. It disintegrated into ash. Not killed. Erased. Kade slowly turned to face her, chest rising and falling with effort. “That was your bloodline,” he said. “Protecting you.” “My bloodline?” Her voice cracked. “But I’ve never shifted. I’ve never even felt like I was one of you.” “You’re not just one of us,” he said, crouching down to her level. “You’re something older. Something more. Your blood is tied to an ancient power—older than any pack, older than the curse itself. You were hidden for a reason.” Lira shook her head, trying to breathe. “This is too much. I didn’t ask for any of it. I just wanted to celebrate my birthday.” “No one asks for destiny.” His tone softened. “But it’s coming, whether you’re ready or not.” Suddenly, a sharp pulse tore through her chest. The locket lit up again—but this time, it wasn’t protective. It felt angry. Alive. The charm hovered near her collarbone, tugging against her like a compass with no chain. “It’s pointing,” she whispered. Kade’s eyes narrowed. “To where?” She turned slowly, following its glow. North. Deeper into the woods. Kade rose to his feet. “No. We’re not going that way.” “But it’s leading me—” “It’s not safe,” he said, his voice hard. “You have no idea what’s out there.” Lira stood too, her jaw tightening. “And you do?” A pause. Then—he gave a short nod. “Yes. I do.” She looked at him then, really looked. The way he stood, tense but worn. The scars. The weight behind his gaze. He didn’t just fight monsters—he carried them. “Kade,” she said softly, “what aren’t you telling me?” He looked away. “It doesn’t matter. We’re going south to my pack. That’s final.” But before she could press him further, a new voice rang out through the trees—deep, commanding. “Hand over the girl, Blackthorn.” Kade froze. From the shadows, three cursed wolves stepped into view. They were taller than the last one, limbs long and twisted. They wore shreds of clothing—remnants of the humans they’d once been. Their faces were stretched and pale, with expressions that had forgotten what it meant to feel. “She’s not yours to keep,” one hissed. “She belongs to the prophecy.” “I don’t give a damn about the prophecy,” Kade growled, planting himself between them and Lira. “She’s under my protection.” The leader stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly. “You can’t protect her from him. No one can.” Lira’s voice trembled. “Who’s him?” The cursed grinned, blackened teeth cracking as he spoke. “The one your blood was born to awaken.” And then they all charged. The cursed wolves didn’t pause. They came like living shadows—claws outstretched, jaws snapping with hunger and rage. Lira screamed as Kade shoved her back behind a thick tree trunk, then threw himself into the chaos with a roar that cracked through the trees like thunder. The air ignited with violence. Claws tore. Teeth struck. Kade moved like something caught between man and myth, his form flickering in and out of shape. His strength was staggering—but not limitless. Three cursed wolves were too many, even for him. Blood hit the earth. One of them slammed into him from the side, driving him to the ground. Another broke off—charging straight at Lira. She braced for impact, heart pounding in her throat. But it never came. BOOM. Another blast erupted from her chest—silver and blinding. It was hotter than fire, sharper than steel, and it hit the cursed wolf mid-air like a wall of pure force. The thing shrieked, its voice a burning wire in the night, before it was flung backward, limbs twisted, smoke rising from its flesh.

It hit the ground, thrashed—and then dissolved into ash. Two down. Kade, bleeding and bruised, caught the last one by the throat and drove it into the earth. His growl was primal, layered with something ancient. “Come near her again,” he snarled, voice like gravel and fury, “and I’ll rip your soul out through your teeth.” The cursed wolf gasped, spasmed—and went still. Silence followed. Heavy. Absolute. Lira stood frozen, hands still faintly glowing. Her whole body trembled. Her legs felt distant, unsteady. The cold had vanished. All she could feel was the power—wild, alien—still humming beneath her skin. Kade turned toward her, breath ragged. “You okay?” She nodded, slowly, mute. Blood streaked his chest, and a deep gash cut across his ribs. But he didn’t flinch. He was watching her—only her. “That power,” he said softly, more to himself than to her. “You’re not just an heir. You’re… the key.” “The key to what?” His gaze didn’t waver. “To the prophecy. To the war. To all of it.” Something cold turned in her stomach. “This is madness,” she whispered. “I’m not some warrior. I’m not chosen. I’m not—” “Don’t say ‘just a girl,’” he cut in, sharp but not cruel. “That light? That wasn’t luck. That was bloodline magic. The real kind. Royal magic. The kind no one’s seen in centuries.” Lira shook her head, disbelief rising like bile. “I didn’t ask for any of this. “You don’t have to want it,” Kade said, his tone gentler now. “But if you don’t learn to control it… it’s going to consume you.” Then the sky split open. A c***k of lightning lit up the clouds—no thunder, no rain, just light from nowhere. And from deep in the forest, a voice echoed. Cold. Timeless. It crawled through the roots and rattled the branches like a whisper from the grave. “She awakens. The blood of the first moon returns.” Kade moved in front of her in an instant, his stance protective, his fangs bared. “He’s watching,” he muttered. Lira’s breath caught. “Who?” He didn’t answer. He just grabbed her hand and pulled her into the dark once more. “We’re out of time,” he said. “We move. Now.”