Fleeing Moon

a Spark.

Marcus stood outside the Pack Estate, his breath visible in the cool evening air as he waited with several of the Elite warriors.

They were suited up in their tactical gear—sleek, black armor designed to blend in seamlessly with the night. The quiet hum of the estate and the city clashed with the tense anticipation that radiated from the group.

He ran a hand through his hair, the familiar restlessness settling in his chest. Shadow paced inside of him, clawing. Marcus knew his wolf too well; he was an Alpha by blood. His wolf was dangerous when he needed to protect what was his.

But suddenly, he felt his wolf calm down in an instant.

Marcus breathed. He didn’t know why he could sense her, why he felt so drawn. Mates could only sense each other after they came of age… Maybe he was just attracted to her... Lust?

Marcus turned his head slightly, his gaze immediately locking onto Lena as she emerged from the estate.

She was dressed in her tactical gear, and *damn*—she looked incredible. Marcus couldn’t help but to stare at her.

The tight, black armor hugged her slender, slightly muscular form perfectly, outlining the curves of her body. Her long black hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, revealing the sharp, determined lines of her face. The contrast of her strong appearance and undeniable femininity made her look like something fierce, something untouchable.

“Beautiful…” His wolf purred.

Marcus’s breath hitched. He started to wonder if it had been a mistake to ask her to join the mission.

He didn’t let his hesitation show, but internally, he cursed himself.

“Dammit.”

He had wanted her on this mission for her skills, but now, as she walked toward him with the kind of confidence that took his breath away, he realized just how dangerously close he was getting to crossing a line.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice steady, but there was an edge to it. He couldn’t quite place what he was feeling, but his wolf was urging him to pay attention to it.

Lena stopped a few steps in front of him, her eyes glinting in the dim light. She gave him a small, knowing smile, the kind that made his heart beat a little faster than it should have.

“Always,” she replied, her voice calm but with an underlying current of determination.

“We can’t have distractions,” he said, the words tumbling out before he could stop himself, echoing louder than he intended.

His team glanced at one another, confusion etched on their faces.

Turning away before anyone could question him, Marcus moved to where two black vans were waiting for them, the hum of the engine igniting his adrenaline. He needed to keep his mind sharp.

As he settled into his seat, he caught a glimpse of Lena slipping into the second van, her silhouette framed by the fading light.

Grateful for the distance, Marcus took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs as he concentrated on the task ahead. He couldn't afford to let emotions interfere. This mission was very important, and failure was not an option.

He glanced over at the driver, a burly figure with a steely gaze, who nodded in acknowledgment.

“Ready?” Justin, one of his Betas asked, his voice flat.

Marcus nodded, forcing himself to focus. “Let’s get this done.”

The van lurched forward, merging into the stream of traffic. The city lights blurred past them.

Marcus' eyes were on the tablet, scanning the layout and running through the mission details.

“Any updates from our Intel?” Justin asked beside Marcus.

“Not yet. We’re clear for the drop-off, but it’s like Alpha said, there is a lot of activity in our warehouse that’s not supposed to be there,” Marcus replied.

“Understood. We can't afford any surprises,” Justin said, his voice steady.

As they approached a stoplight, Marcus stole another glance at the second van trailing behind them. He could not see anything through the tinted windows, but he knew she was close.

“Is she new, like is she going to be part of the team or is she going just this once?” Justin asked following Marcus’s gaze.

“Why do you ask?” Marcus replied, his tone sharper than intended.

“Just a question,” Justin asked, lifting his hands up.

Marcus exhaled slowly, his resolve wavering for just a moment. “She is just coming tonight to see how we operate.”

“Sure, it’s just dangerous tonight. We need a few of the rogues alive to question them,” Justin said, glancing at Marcus with a knowing look.

“Let’s try keeping them all alive,” Marcus countered, his jaw tightening.

Justin nodded, “Fair enough.”

“We are five minutes from the ally,” Cara said, loudly from the back. One of the Elite's newest team members.

Marcus glanced once more at Lena’s van before turning his attention back to the road ahead. “Let’s do this.”

The warehouse loomed ahead, its metal walls casting shadows in the fading twilight. The alley where they stopped carried an unpleasant scent. Rotten food and urine filled the air.

Marcus and his team got out of the van and scanned the area, with the second van stopping right behind them.

Their eyes were sharp, alert—trained to observe every detail, from the faint hum of distant traffic to the flickering light overhead and the rustle of leaves carried by the wind.

Every moment was a potential threat, and they were both ready for anything.

Marcus gathered the Elite warriors in a tight circle near the back alley a few feet from the warehouse, his sharp gaze scanning each of them as they stood.

The sound of the city beyond the perimeter was a distant reminder of the world they were keeping at bay.

Marcus cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the silence. “Alright, listen up,” he began, his tone firm and authoritative. “We’re here because there’s a serious threat to the pack, and it’s tied to the recent disturbances on the Aurelian Trade route. Alpha has been monitoring it for weeks now, and we’ve gathered enough intel to make a move.”

“This warehouse, right here, is a major distribution point for the Ross Pack.”

Marcus took a step forward, the weight of his words settling over them like a storm cloud. “Our goal tonight is to uncover who the leader of this Black Blood pack is. After that we take them. We’re not leaving anyone behind who can pose a threat to us, or anyone else for that matter.”

His eyes flicked briefly to Lena, and for a moment, his mind wavered. She seemed focused, her expression stern.

“We move fast and silently,” Marcus continued, “and remember, there’s no room for error. We’re in and out. Secure the rogues, eliminate them if they become a threat, and then we get out. No unnecessary risks. No human interventions, Understood?”

The warriors shifted slightly, their steely eyes meeting his nodding. They were ready.

“Let’s move out,” Marcus commanded, his voice firm and resolute. The team sprang into action, their movements fluid and instinctual as they melted into the shadows, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Marcus approached Lena, that was standing with her eyes alert, watching the others fade away into the shadows of the warehouse. He could smell the faint hint of jasmine and roses mingling with the night air, a heady mix that sent his pulse racing. Her scent pulled him.

“You can take a point on the roof,” Marcus said, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “Observe and stay out of sight.”

Lena nodded; he saw her hands instinctively clenching the fabric of her vest.

Marcus looked at her with concern. For a moment, he wanted nothing more than to reach out and close the distance between them.

“Just… be careful up there,” he added, his eyes searching hers.

Why the hell did I bring her?

“I will,” Lena replied, her voice steady.

Marcus watched as Lena turned and headed toward the warehouse. Her boots did not make a sound as she moved.