Moonlit Vows

Selene avoided the forest for the next few days, but staying away didn't make her feel any safer. The revelation of her bond with Kael haunted her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his piercing blue gaze, heard the quiet vulnerability in his voice.

"You're distracted again," Ivy said, plopping down on the couch next to her. "What's going on, Selene? You've been acting weird all week."

"I'm not acting weird," Selene said, though her voice lacked conviction.

"Uh-huh." Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Look, if this is about some guy, just tell me. I can't handle the suspense."

Selene forced a laugh. "It's not about a guy." At least, not entirely, she thought.

Ivy sighed dramatically. "Fine, keep your secrets. Just remember, I'm here when you're ready to spill."

Selene offered a small smile, grateful for her sister's obliviousness. If only Ivy knew how complicated things really were.

---

That night, Selene's restless energy drove her back to the forest. She didn't plan to go far—just enough to clear her head. But as soon as she stepped onto the trail, a familiar voice spoke behind her.

"You don't listen, do you?"

Selene spun around, her heart skipping a beat. Kael stood in the shadows, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable.

"You don't own the forest," she shot back, trying to ignore the way his presence made her pulse quicken.

"No, but I do keep it safe," he said, stepping closer. "And you're making that harder by wandering around like this."

Selene crossed her arms. "You can't just tell me to stay away without explaining why. If this bond of ours is as important as Lorcan says, maybe I deserve to know what's going on."

Kael hesitated, his gaze flicking to the trees around them. "It's not safe here."

"Then make it safe," she said, her tone sharper than she intended.

He stared at her for a long moment, something unspoken passing between them. Finally, he sighed. "Come with me."

---

Kael led her deeper into the forest, to a clearing lit by the soft glow of the moon. There, a small fire burned, and two figures sat waiting—Damon and Lorcan.

"Ah, the human joins us," Damon said with a grin. "This should be interesting."

"Behave," Kael growled.

Damon held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just saying, it's not every day we get a human guest at the Alpha's table."

Selene ignored him, her attention focused on Lorcan. "You said this bond between me and Kael has a purpose. What did you mean?"

Lorcan gestured for her to sit. "There's a balance that must be maintained between our world and yours," he began. "For centuries, werewolves have lived in secrecy, protecting humans from creatures far worse than rogues."

"Worse than rogues?" Selene echoed, her stomach tightening.

"Vampires," Damon said with a smirk, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Selene blinked. "You're joking."

"Unfortunately, he's not," Kael said, his tone grim.

"Vampires were driven underground long ago," Lorcan explained. "But their numbers are growing. The rogue you encountered wasn't acting alone—it was a scout, likely sent to test Kael's defenses."

Selene's head spun. "What does this have to do with me?"

Lorcan's expression grew somber. "The bond between you and Kael is no coincidence. It's the moon's way of preparing us for what's coming. Together, you two have the potential to unite humans and werewolves against a common enemy."

Selene let out a hollow laugh. "You're saying I'm supposed to help fight vampires? That's insane."

"It's not about fighting," Lorcan said. "It's about trust. If humans and werewolves are to stand together, they need a symbol of unity. That's what you and Kael represent."

Selene glanced at Kael, who was staring into the fire, his jaw tight. "And what if we don't want this?" she asked quietly.

Lorcan's gaze softened. "Then we all stand to lose far more than you can imagine."

The weight of his words settled over her like a storm cloud.

---

As the meeting ended, Kael walked Selene back toward the edge of the forest. Neither of them spoke at first, the tension between them thick and unyielding.

"You've been quiet," Selene said finally.

Kael's lips twitched in a humorless smile. "I didn't think you wanted to hear what I had to say."

"Try me."

He stopped, turning to face her. "I didn't ask for this bond, Selene. I've spent my life protecting my pack, and now I'm supposed to protect you, too. Do you know how impossible that feels?"

Selene's chest tightened. "I didn't ask for it either, Kael. But we're stuck with it, so maybe instead of pushing me away, you could try letting me in."

His eyes softened, but he didn't reply. Instead, he looked past her, his expression shifting from frustration to alarm.

"Get behind me," he said, his voice low and urgent.

"What—"

"Now," he growled.

Selene obeyed, her heart racing. Kael crouched low, his body tense as a low growl rumbled in his chest.

The shadows ahead shifted, and a figure emerged—a man with glowing red eyes and a predatory smile.

"Well, well," the stranger said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Looks like I found the Alpha and his little pet."

Kael's growl deepened, his muscles coiled like a spring. "You shouldn't have come here."

The vampire chuckled. "Oh, I think I'll enjoy this. Let's see what you've got, Alpha."

Before Selene could react, Kael lunged.