Alpha's Forbidden Luna

CHAPTER THREE

I didn't even have time to put on my shoes.

My mother was already pulling me toward the back door when I heard another car stop outside.

“Wait,” I said. “We're leaving through the back?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't want them to see us.”

That didn't make me feel any better.

I quickly slipped on my shoes and followed her outside.

The night air was cold against my face. I looked back at our house for a second. The light in my bedroom was still on.

I had a strange feeling that I wouldn't be coming back.

“Come on,” my mother said.

We walked behind the house and into the small path that led toward the forest.

I had used that path many times when I was younger. It led to the stream where I used to sit whenever I wanted to be alone.

Tonight, it felt completely different.

My mother kept walking without saying anything.

“Where are we going?”

“To your aunt's house.”

“I have an aunt?”

She stopped.

I almost walked into her.

“What?”

“You've never told me I have an aunt.”

“I didn't want you to know about her.”

I stared at her.

“Why?”

She started walking again.

“I'll explain when we're far enough away.”

I followed her, but my mind was going in a hundred directions.

First, Ronan had shown up and said he was my mate.

Then he called me forbidden.

Then my mother told me I actually had a wolf and that it had been sealed.

Now I had an aunt I'd never even heard about.

At this point, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh or cry.

We walked for about twenty minutes before I heard something behind us.

A branch snapped.

I stopped.

“Mom.”

She stopped too.

“What?”

“Did you hear that?”

She turned around.

The forest was dark.

Nothing moved.

“Probably an animal,” she said.

I wasn't convinced.

We continued walking.

A few minutes later, I heard it again.

This time it was closer.

My mother grabbed my hand.

“Run.”

I didn't ask questions.

We ran.

I could hear footsteps behind us.

Someone was following us.

My heart was beating so hard that I could barely breathe.

“Mom, who is that?”

“Don't look back.”

I almost did.

Then something came out of the trees.

A wolf.

It was huge and completely black.

I screamed.

My mother pushed me behind her.

“Stay there.”

The wolf growled.

I could see its teeth.

My mother stepped forward.

“Leave her alone.”

The wolf didn't move.

Then another wolf appeared.

And another.

There were three of them.

I looked at my mother.

She looked terrified.

That scared me more than the wolves.

“Mom?”

She reached behind her and held my hand.

“Whatever happens, don't let them take you.”

“What?”

Before she could say anything else, one of the wolves rushed toward us.

Everything happened so fast.

My mother pushed me out of the way.

I fell to the ground.

There was a loud growl, then a scream.

“Mom!”

I got up.

She was on the ground.

There was blood on her arm.

I ran toward her, but one of the wolves blocked my way.

It looked straight at me.

Something strange happened.

The mark on my chest started burning.

The wolf stopped.

It took one step back.

Then another.

I didn't understand.

Neither did the wolf.

I could feel something moving inside me.

My heart started beating faster.

The sound of a growl came from my own throat.

I covered my mouth.

That wasn't me.

At least, I didn't think it was.

The black wolf suddenly lowered its head.

It looked scared.

I stared at it.

Then I heard a voice inside my head.

Not my mother's.

Not Ronan's.

A woman's voice.

Very quiet.

You are awake.

I couldn't move.

The wolf in front of me ran away.

The other two followed.

For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence.

Then I remembered my mother.

I rushed over to her.

“Mom, are you okay?”

She was holding her arm.

“I'm fine.”

“You're bleeding.”

“I know.”

I helped her sit up.

She looked at me.

Then she looked at the mark on my chest.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“It has started.”

“What has started?”

She didn't answer.

She just held my face in her hands.

“I was hoping you would have more time.”

I frowned.

“More time for what?”

She looked toward the direction the wolves had disappeared.

“Before they found you.”

And suddenly, I wasn't sure if running away was going to be enough.