Rejected Luna's Second Chance

Encounter with the Hunter

Ella pushed through the brush, satchel heavy on her shoulder, the sun hot on her back. Her thigh burned from the earlier rake, bandage soaked red. The curse made every step a battle, body heavy like slogging through mud. North to ruins, but fatigue whispered stop.

Branch snap. Heart jumped. "Who's there?"

Low snarl. A feral burst out—patchy fur, red eyes mad. It charged, jaws wide.

Ella swung trowel, hit snout. Beast yelped but circled. Wolf weak, no shift. "Back off!"

It lunged, claws tearing. Pain flared, she fell, blood hot.

Man tackled it from side. Rolled snarling, knife flashing. Stab, twist—beast limp.

Ella panted, staring. Man stood, dark hair, stubble, blue eyes sharp. Moon tattoo on arm.

"You good?" Voice rough. "Got you bad."

"Live. Thanks. Who?"

"Jax. Rogue hunter. You?"

"Ella. Exiled."

He knelt, bound wound gentle. "Exiled? Why?"

"Rejected bond. Curse hit."

Jax paused, eyes knowing. "Blood moon?"

"Yeah. Weakens wolf. You know?"

"Tales." Tone hinted more. "Heading where?"

"North. Ruins. Answers."

"Same way. Ferals thick." Helped her up, grip firm. Smelled earth, wild.

"Thanks save," met eyes. Secrets there.

"Don't. Curse draining you."

"Feels empty. Alpha hiding virus, star visitors."

Jax jaw tight. "Crazy talk."

"Believe?"

Shrug. "World crazy. Escort bit. Numbers safe."

Limped after. Forest thick, vines hang. Talk halting.

"Rogue lonely?" Ella asked.

"Packs rules. Like free. You digger, hands callus."

"How know?"

"Tools, artifact peek."

Tucked it. "Study old. Curse tied."

Nod. "Old bite. Ferals weird veins. Not natural."

"Virus," murmured. "Sky come, twist wolves."

Stopped. "Legends roots. Family stories. Past."

"Family? Clan?"

"Gone." Voice c***k. Hint power brother?

Hill crest, ruins distant. Growl echo. Two ferals.

"s**t," Jax knife out. "Behind me."

"Can fight."

Grin. "Show cursed Luna got."

Fight hard—s***h, stab. Ella flank cut, Jax kill efficient. Downed, panting.

"Not bad digger."

"Not lone wolf."

Breath catch, pull between. Trust?

"Ruins dangerous. Tag along. Pairs strong."

"Why?"

Eyes hint motive. "Curious. Or fate."

Nod hesitant. Howl distant—clan. Jax hide what?

Ruins loom, secrets, threats.