Fated to The Moonborn

Aira’s POV— It wasn’t love at first sight. It wasn’t even interest. It was a stare — sharp, hungry — that crawled over my skin like fire under ice. The new transfer had just stepped into Emberstone Academy’s training hall. And the moment his eyes found mine, the noise around us faded. He didn’t glance. He devoured. Tall, broad-shouldered, in black — Kael Stormthorn looked like he stepped out of a forbidden dream. Tousled hair. Jaw dusted with just enough scruff to make me imagine what it would feel like between my thighs. I hated him instantly. “This is Kael. He’ll be assigned to your unit for Combat Training. Aira, you’ll partner with him for orientation.” I blinked. “Excuse me?” “I don’t need a babysitter,” Kael said, low and smooth, eyes still on me. “But I’ll take her.” The room buzzed with laughter. I gritted my teeth. I stalked off, expecting him to follow. And he did. Silently. Like a predator that knew exactly when to strike. We ended up in the west hallway, far from the others. The silence was too intimate. His presence behind me? Distractingly warm. “You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked. I turned, sharp. “Should I?” His smile wasn’t friendly. It was wicked. “Six years ago. In the forest. You saved a half-shifted wolf pup from a rogue. That pup was me.” I froze. I remembered that night. Barely. Blood, fangs, and a boy with terrified eyes. “You’re lying.” “I can show you the scar if you want. Lower back, left side. You grazed me with your dagger.” The image burned in my mind — his body, bare, twisting to show me. I shoved it out, fast. “You tracked me down after all this time to say thank you?” He stepped closer, and my breath caught. My body reacted before I could control it — pulse racing, heat spreading low in my belly. “No,” he said softly. “I came back because we’re fated.” I laughed once, sharp. “I don’t believe in that bullshit.” Kael moved closer. One more step and our bodies would touch. His voice dropped to a growl. “You can lie to yourself all you want, Aira. But your scent changes when I’m near. Your pupils dilate. Your pulse skips.” “I should stab you.” “You’d have to touch me first.” His words were a dare. I wanted to slap him. I wanted to shove him. And gods help me — I wanted to feel what his mouth would do to mine. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Because deep down… something in me was starving for him. And that scared me more than anything else ever had.