Rejected by Moonlight, Claimed by Shadows.

Chapter 2

Janet's POV

The storm raged on as I tore through the night with my breath coming in ragged gasps while the relentless rain lashed against my skin.

My clothes clung to my soaked body and my lungs burned from the desperate escape.

Behind me, the pack's mansion had long faded into the distance, yet the echoes of howls and pounding footsteps of the wolves never ceased.

The warriors were hunting me down without yielding in their pursuit, no matter how many streets I crossed or alleyways I ducked into, they didn't stop.

I had believed Bart when he told me I was free to leave. Foolishly, I had thought I could finally escape the mate bond that had brought me nothing but suffering.

But I never anticipated that he would send his warriors after me, to kill me.

The mark he had once placed on me had vanished. Yet, the searing pain in my chest remained as a cruel reminder of the love I had wasted on a monster.

Pressing myself against the cold stone wall of a narrow alley, I peered through the gap between two buildings with my heart pounding violently. Heavy footsteps that was accompanied by a sneering voice drew closer.

"Come out, Janet. You can't outrun us. We are going to catch you and tear you apart, so why don't you make it easy on yourself? If you surrender now, maybe we'll make it quick."

I bit my lip hard and pressed a trembling hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp.

"She's pregnant. Do you really think killing a woman with a child is the right move?" Another voice asked with sharpness.

My stomach clenched and my hands instinctively cradled my belly.

How did they know?

How did Bart discover my secret?

"The orders are clear," the first warrior snapped. "Kill both of them. Janet and the unborn brat."

A cold wave of terror crashed over me.

Bart wanted me dead. He wanted our child dead.

Had he always been this cruel?

Or had I simply failed to see the monster behind his charming facade?

I couldn't afford to be caught. Glancing around frantically, I forced my legs to move and crept forward before breaking into a desperate sprint.

"There she is!"

One of the warriors shifted into his massive wolf form with his glowing eyes locked on me.

With all the strength I had left, I bolted forward, my breath shuddered when I spotted a lone car parked under the glowing street lights ahead. It was my only hope and my last chance at survival, the only way to protect my unborn child.

Two men stood beside it. One was holding an umbrella and the other just stepped out of the vehicle.

I neither hesitated nor think about anything else. I threw myself at the man who had just placed his foot on the wet pavement and gripped onto him as if he were my last lifeline.

"Help me," I whispered with my face covered in water droplets from the rain.

The man looked at me with an arched brow as if he was not interested in helping me.

The desperate and breathless words tumbled from my lips. "You can sleep with me if you want." This was the only way I thought I could use to save myself and my unborn child.

His fingers tightened on my arms as I felt his body tense under my touch. His scent was unfamiliar but it was strangely soothing amidst the chaos surrounding me. The rain continued to pour as silence stretched between us.

It was a reckless gamble. But this was my only way to survive.

"Please, help me," I begged with my voice trembling as I finally dared to look up at him.

And then, I was lost.

His eyes were lilac. It was a color so rare and mesmerizing that for a fleeting moment, I forgot why I had thrown myself into his arms. He was breathtakingly handsome like a divine figure that was carved from the heavens above.

'Get yourself together!' I scolded myself. This was no time to admire a stranger. I needed his help and I needed him to take me inside before the warriors would find me.

Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I would throw myself at a random man and begged him to take me in. But desperation had left me with no choice.

"Miss, you can't just..." the man holding the umbrella started but he was immediately silenced with a single glance from the lilac-eyed stranger. The power in his gaze made the other man step back with his mouth kept shut instantly.

Then, the deep voice of the man filled the space between us.

"If you will agree to sleep with me whenever I desire."

A shiver ran down my spine at his words. There was no hesitation in his tone and no trace of jest. He meant every single word.

"Sure," I forced a smile though my heart was still pounding violently against my ribs. "I promise. I will do whatever you want. Please, let's go inside, sir."

He studied me for a long moment before finally replying, "Call me Richard."

Before I could react, he swept me up in his arms and lifted me effortlessly in a bridal style. My breath hitched as my lips nearly brushed his cheek. The sudden proximity stole all the words that had formed in my mind.

Then, the howls came.

I stiffened with my body trembling as I buried my face against Richard's chest while gripping his collar tightly.

The warriors were here.

"Hey! Did you two see a woman run by here? She was all wet. Did you..."

The familiar cruel voice made my stomach twist.

I clenched my fingers tighter into Richard's clothing, praying and hoping that they wouldn't recognize me.

"Is this not the woman..."

"You are mistaking," Richard interrupted with a smooth and commanding voice.

"This woman in my arms is my mate."

My eyes widened in shock and my head jerked up as I locked eyes with him.

How could he lie so easily about being his mate?