The Alpha’s Heat

Chapter One: Trespass Eva’s POV I always thought danger had a sound. Like a branch snapping, The rustling of something or someone was too close for comfort. But tonight, the forest was eerily quiet. Not peaceful… more like a tense atmosphere, as if it was holding its own breath and watching me take every move. I wrapped my fur jacket tighter around herself, even though the air felt a little warm though way too warm for a midnight. My flashlight flickered, then died with a weak little blink. “Seriously?” I muttered, giving it a smack. Dead as a doornail. Fantastic. I had taken the wrong trail—again—and now my “shortcut” had turned into a full-blown oh-my-gosh-I-might-die situation. The trees loomed around me like my ancient guardians, tall and shadowy. My phone had lost signal, and it had been over two hours since I had seen another soul. Yet, I felt something pressed against my spine. Something that’s unseen. Following Me And Then I heard it. A low, rhythmic sound. Like breathing. But it was not mine I was so sure . I turned around yet I saw Nothing. But the scent was captivating sharp pine,musk, and fur filled her lungs. I thought it was my jacket but it was It was neither animal nor human. Something in between. I stoop up, with my heartbeat so clear in my ear, and tripped over a tree’s root. I steadied myself just before falling—only to freeze as a voice came out from the darkness. “You’re not meant to be I froze as I was in shock and fear The voice was deep and smooth and enticing like gravel wrapped in velvet. He was hidden in the shadows. But I felt him. That same pressure on my skin, like gravity pulling too hard. Heat crawled beneath her jeans and jacket. “Wh-who’s there?” I called, trying to sound brave despite the tremor in my voice stood up a little straighter. “I—I didn’t mean to trespass. Just got lost.” A long silence stretched out. Then i heard the sound of footsteps. Heavy, slow. Like he was stalking me. “You crossed into sacred ground, girl.” I took a step back. Then another. A figure stepped out from the trees. No. A man. Tall. Shirtless, barefoot. Shoulders so perfect, carved from the shadows. Long black hair swept back from a chiseled face, and his pale silver eyes glowed like the moonlight filtered through smoke. His chest rose and fell with each controlled breath—but his gaze? Wild Like something deep inside him was barely contained. I meant to run, i did. But my feet felt so glued to the ground. “You shouldn’t have come here,” he said again, and this time his voice had a rough edge. Hunger. Strain. “Not tonight.” “W-what’s tonight?” His nostrils flared. “The Mating Moon.” The words didn’t make sense to me. But my body reacted. Heat bloomed low in my stomach, confusing and unwanted, skin buzzed like it had been struck by lightning. I swallowed hard. “I’ll just go, okay? I didn’t see anything, I promise.” He tilted his head slowly. “But we’ve seen *you*.” Then more movement. Shadows shifting behind him. More eyes watching from the dark. I wasn’t alone. “Take her,” someone growled. “No.” The man’s voice turned hard as steel. “She’s mine.” --- Hours later... My hands were tied. Not roughly. Not cruelly. But securely. Like they had done this before. Like they knew how to hold a woman still. I sat in a room that felt like a lodge, dimly lit, pulsing with the rhythm of drums outside. The windows were high and narrow, giving glimpses of a burning moon. The air inside was thick with herbs, heat… and musk. Then he walked in. Kael. That was his name. I’d overheard someone say it with a mix of respect and fear. His silver eyes scanned me, jaw tight, his chest rising with every breath he took of her scent. “You smell like…” he paused, exhaling sharply. “Like trouble.” I shot him a sharp glare. “And you smell like—like wet dog.” His lips curved slightly, but there was nothing playful in his expression. “They brought you to me as an offering,” he said quietly. “To help me survive the heat.” “Heat?” He didn’t answer. Just stepped closer. “You should hate me,” he murmured