Touch Her Again

Silence swallowed the kitchen.

Gareth Vale remained on one knee before Darius, his face drained of colour.

Behind Darius, Luna stood frozen.

Mate.

The word should have been beautiful.

Every girl in Silver Creek grew up hearing stories about the moment she would meet the wolf chosen for her by the Moon Goddess. Luna had listened to those stories too, back when she had been young enough to believe beautiful things might happen to her.

She had imagined flowers.

Moonlight.

A man smiling when he saw her.

She had never imagined Alpha Darius Blake standing between her and her father while the room trembled beneath his fury.

"Your... mate?" Gareth repeated.

Darius's jaw tightened.

"Do you have difficulty hearing?"

"No, Alpha."

"Then don't make me repeat myself."

Gareth lowered his head.

Luna stared at Darius's back.

His shoulders were rigid beneath his black shirt.

Power poured from him in waves.

She could feel it pressing against her skin, heavy enough that instinct told her to bow.

But strangely...

She didn't.

Luna frowned.

Every Omega reacted to Alpha authority.

She had spent her entire life doing it.

When Alpha Conrad released even a fraction of his aura, Luna's knees weakened.

Darius was far stronger than Conrad.

She should have been on the floor.

Instead, she stood behind him.

Warm.

Safe.

And somewhere deep inside her—

Mate protects.

Luna's breath caught.

You're there.

Silence.

Her heart sank.

Then, faintly—

Here.

Tears immediately burned Luna's eyes.

She pressed a hand against her mouth.

Her wolf.

She had a wolf.

She actually had a wolf.

Darius turned at the small sound.

The terrifying expression on his face disappeared the instant he saw her.

"Luna?"

She blinked rapidly.

"I'm fine."

He looked unconvinced.

"I'm fine," she repeated.

His eyes moved over her face.

Then lower.

Her injured hand.

Blood still coated her palm.

Darius's expression darkened.

"You're not fine."

Luna instinctively hid her hand again.

Darius noticed.

"Why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Hiding when you're hurt."

Luna didn't know how to answer.

Because nobody wanted to see it.

Because showing pain made people angry.

Because wounds created questions, and questions created punishment.

She shrugged.

"It's just a cut."

Darius stared at her for several seconds.

Then he did something Luna didn't expect.

He held out his hand.

Palm upward.

Not touching.

Waiting.

"May I?"

Luna stared at his hand.

It was enormous compared with hers.

Strong.

Calloused.

A thin scar crossed one knuckle.

Hands had never represented gentleness to Luna.

Hands grabbed.

Hands shoved.

Hands struck.

Darius's hand remained motionless.

Waiting.

He wasn't ordering her.

He was asking.

Something inside Luna's chest tightened.

Slowly, she placed her injured hand in his.

Darius stopped breathing.

The moment their skin touched, heat exploded between them.

Luna gasped.

Darius's fingers closed instinctively around hers.

Not hard.

Never hard.

But the contact sent a strange pulse racing from Luna's fingertips to the centre of her body.

Her wolf stirred.

Mate.

Darius's eyes turned black.

A low sound rumbled from his chest.

Luna's gaze flew to his.

"What was that?"

His thumb moved once across her wrist.

"My wolf."

"He growled at me?"

"No."

Another rumble.

Darius's mouth twitched.

"Apparently he's pleased."

Luna stared.

"Your wolf is pleased because I'm holding your hand?"

"He's easy to impress."

An offended growl sounded from Darius.

Luna's eyes widened.

Darius actually smiled.

It transformed him.

Only slightly.

But enough.

The feared Alpha disappeared for one heartbeat, leaving behind a devastatingly handsome man with warmth hiding beneath all that darkness.

Luna's stomach fluttered.

Oh.

That was dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Darius looked down at her palm.

His smile vanished.

The cut wasn't deep, but blood had smeared across her skin.

"Where's the healer?"

Gareth finally moved.

"Alpha, there's no need to trouble the healer over her. Luna heals like everyone—"

Darius's head turned.

Gareth stopped speaking.

"Did I ask you?"

"No, Alpha."

"Then remain silent."

Luna's pulse jumped.

Her father looked furious.

Not at Darius.

He wouldn't dare.

At her.

Luna recognised the promise in his eyes.

You'll pay for this later.

Her stomach twisted.

Without thinking, she pulled her hand from Darius's.

He looked at her immediately.

"Luna?"

"I should go."

His brow furrowed.

"Go where?"

"Back to work."

"You are injured."

"I can still work."

Darius stared at her as though she had said something incomprehensible.

Luna looked towards the broken glasses.

"I need to clean those."

"No."

Her shoulders tensed.

Darius noticed immediately.

His expression shifted.

"I mean..." He exhaled. "Someone else can clean them."

"But I broke them."

"They're glasses, Luna."

"I know."

"You look terrified."

"I'm not."

Darius raised an eyebrow.

Luna swallowed.

"I'm a little terrified."

His face softened.

"Of me?"

She hesitated.

That was apparently answer enough.

Something painful crossed his expression.

"I won't hurt you."

The words were simple.

Luna's chest ached anyway.

Everybody could say that.

Promises were easy.

Her mother had promised once.

Your father won't be angry if you tell the truth.

Luna had been eight.

She had believed her.

She never made that mistake again.

Darius watched the emotions cross her face.

He didn't know what memory had just taken her away from him.

But he knew he hated it.

His mate was nineteen years old.

Nineteen.

And she looked at kindness as though it were a trap.

His wolf paced beneath his skin.

Take her.

Darius's jaw tightened.

Home.

Not yet.

He wanted exactly that.

Put Luna in his vehicle.

Take her back to Black Moon.

Place every warrior he commanded between her and whoever had hurt her.

But Darius wasn't stupid.

If he dragged a frightened woman away simply because fate declared her his, how was he different from anyone else who had taken choices from her?

Ours.

"She's not property."

Luna blinked.

"What?"

Darius realised he'd spoken aloud.

"My wolf."

"Oh."

"He wants to take you home."

Her eyes widened.

Darius almost cursed.

Poor choice of words.

"I am not taking you anywhere against your will."

"But..."

Luna looked towards Gareth.

Darius saw it.

Fear.

Again.

"Are you afraid of leaving?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Her mouth opened.

Closed.

Gareth stood.

"Alpha Blake, Luna has responsibilities here."

Darius slowly turned.

"Does she?"

"Of course. She's an Omega."

Darius's expression went cold.

"And?"

Gareth seemed confused.

"She works."

"I gathered that."

"Her mother and I depend on her contribution to the household."

Luna stared at the floor.

Darius studied Gareth.

"What does Luna do?"

Gareth hesitated.

"Household duties."

"Which are?"

"Cleaning. Cooking. Laundry. Whatever is needed."

"Here too?"

"She's an Omega. Omegas serve the pack."

Darius's eyes hardened.

There was nothing inherently unusual about Omegas working within pack households. Black Moon had Omegas too, though Darius had abolished several archaic rank practices years ago.

But this wasn't work.

He could smell exhaustion on Luna.

He could see it in the shadows beneath her eyes.

"How many hours did she work yesterday?"

Gareth looked at Luna.

She immediately shrank.

Darius stepped sideways, blocking Gareth's view of her.

"I asked you."

"I don't keep track."

"Convenient."

"Alpha—"

"How old was she when you started putting her to work?"

Gareth's face tightened.

"This is a family matter."

Darius became perfectly still.

Elias chose that moment to re-enter the kitchen.

He took one look at Darius.

Then Gareth.

"Oh, this should be fun."

Darius ignored him.

"Say that again."

Gareth swallowed.

"I meant no disrespect."

"Yet you continue displaying remarkable talent for it."

"Darius."

Alpha Conrad appeared behind Elias.

His gaze moved between them.

"We should discuss this calmly."

"I am calm."

Elias coughed.

Conrad looked at him.

Elias shook his head.

"You don't want to know what he's like when he isn't."

Luna stared at Darius.

This was calm?

Darius suddenly looked towards her.

Their eyes met.

Heat curled low in her stomach.

She quickly looked away.

His wolf growled approvingly.

Darius mentally told him to shut up.

The beast absolutely refused.

Mate likes us.

Darius almost laughed.

She was terrified of them.

Likes.

Stubborn bastard.

Conrad stepped farther into the room.

"Alpha Blake, perhaps we should continue our scheduled discussion first. Afterwards, you and Luna can—"

"No."

Conrad frowned.

"No?"

"My mate takes precedence."

Something flickered across Conrad's face.

Calculation.

Darius didn't like it.

"Of course," Conrad said. "This is unexpected."

"For everyone."

"Particularly considering Luna's... circumstances."

Darius's eyes narrowed.

"What circumstances?"

Luna's stomach dropped.

"Alpha Conrad—"

Every man in the room looked at her.

She immediately regretted speaking.

Darius turned fully towards her.

"What does he mean?"

"Nothing."

Conrad sighed.

"Luna."

She lowered her gaze.

Darius's wolf growled.

Darius hated the sound of her own name being used like a warning.

"She has never shifted," Conrad said.

Darius looked at Luna.

"I know."

Conrad blinked.

"You know?"

"She told me."

"Then you understand why this is unusual."

"No."

Conrad stared at him.

Darius's voice became colder.

"Explain why my mate's inability to shift changes anything."

"An Alpha of your standing requires a strong Luna."

There it was.

Luna felt as if someone had driven a knife into her chest.

Of course.

She had known.

She knew.

Darius was an Alpha.

Not merely an Alpha—the Alpha other Alphas feared.

He needed someone beautiful.

Strong.

A woman who could fight beside him.

A she-wolf capable of producing powerful heirs.

Not her.

Never her.

Luna pulled her hand away from her chest.

"He's right."

Darius looked at her.

"No, he isn't."

"You need a Luna."

"I found one."

Her breath caught.

Darius held her gaze.

"You."

The word was absolute.

Luna shook her head.

"I'm an Omega."

"We've established that."

"I've never shifted."

"I know."

"My wolf barely speaks."

"She woke for me."

Darius's voice roughened slightly.

"That's enough for now."

Luna stared at him.

"Why?"

Darius frowned.

"Why what?"

"Why aren't you disappointed?"

The question hit him harder than it should have.

He stepped towards her.

This time Luna didn't retreat.

"Because I found my mate."

"But you expected someone else."

He couldn't lie.

"Yes."

Pain flashed across her face.

Darius immediately continued.

"I expected someone arrogant enough to argue with me every morning and powerful enough to make my council nervous."

Elias grinned.

"I was personally hoping for that."

Darius shot him a look.

Elias raised both hands.

Luna's lips twitched.

Darius saw it.

There.

A tiny almost-smile.

Beautiful.

He wanted another one.

"But," Darius continued, "the Goddess didn't give me the woman I imagined."

Luna's almost-smile disappeared.

Darius stepped closer.

"She gave me you."

His voice lowered.

"And I haven't found a single reason to complain."

Luna's cheeks warmed.

The mate bond pulsed between them.

For the first time, fear wasn't the strongest thing she felt around him.

There was something else.

Something warm.

Curious.

Dangerously pleasant.

Her gaze dropped to his mouth again.

Darius noticed.

His wolf practically threw himself against Darius's control.

Touch.

No.

Kiss.

Absolutely not.

Mate wants.

Darius clenched his jaw.

Luna frowned.

"Are you angry?"

"No."

"You look angry."

"My wolf and I are having a disagreement."

"About me?"

Darius's eyes darkened.

"Unfortunately."

"What does he want?"

Elias abruptly became fascinated with the ceiling.

Darius considered lying.

Then decided against it.

"He wants me to touch you."

Luna's breath caught.

The kitchen suddenly became very warm.

"Oh."

Darius's gaze moved slowly over her face.

"And he's currently suggesting several other things I'm not going to repeat."

Luna's cheeks became scarlet.

Elias made a choking sound.

"Elias."

"Leaving."

He grabbed Conrad's shoulder.

"Come on."

Conrad frowned.

"We have—"

"Trust me."

Elias dragged him towards the door.

Gareth moved to follow.

Darius stopped him with one look.

"Not you."

Gareth froze.

Luna's warmth vanished.

Darius saw it.

He turned towards her.

"Luna."

She looked at him.

"I need you to answer something."

Her stomach twisted.

"What?"

"Who gave you the bruise?"

Gareth's face hardened.

Luna saw it.

Darius did too.

"Luna."

His voice was softer this time.

"You can tell me."

Her throat tightened.

If she said it—

No.

She couldn't.

"You don't understand."

"Then help me."

"He'll—"

She stopped.

Darius's entire body went rigid.

"He'll what?"

Luna went pale.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were going to."

"No."

Darius stepped closer.

He didn't touch her.

"Will he hurt you if you tell me?"

Silence.

Gareth exploded.

"That is enough!"

Luna jumped.

Darius moved so quickly she barely saw him.

One second Gareth stood near the doorway.

The next his back slammed against the wall.

Darius's forearm pressed across his throat.

The entire kitchen shook beneath the force of his growl.

"Raise your voice at her again."

Gareth clawed at Darius's arm.

"Alpha—"

"Do it."

Darius's eyes were completely black now.

"Give me a reason."

"Darius!"

Luna's voice cut through the rage.

He froze.

Not because she was powerful enough to command him.

Because she sounded frightened.

Darius released Gareth instantly.

Gareth collapsed, coughing.

Darius turned towards Luna.

She had backed against the counter.

Her face was white.

Fuck.

Darius's wolf retreated.

Scared mate.

"I..."

Darius looked at his hands.

Then her.

"I'm sorry."

Luna stared at him.

"You apologised."

"Yes."

"To me."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Darius almost couldn't answer.

"Because I frightened you."

Luna's brow furrowed.

Nobody apologised for frightening her.

Nobody cared.

Darius took a slow step backwards.

Then another.

Giving her space.

"I won't do that again."

Gareth coughed from the floor.

Luna looked at him.

Her father glared.

The familiar terror returned.

Darius saw it.

But this time—

something else happened.

Luna's injured palm began to burn.

She gasped.

Darius turned.

"Luna?"

Fire raced beneath her skin.

Not ordinary heat.

Something alive.

Her heartbeat thundered.

What's happening?

Her wolf stirred.

But the voice that answered did not sound weak anymore.

Enough.

Luna's eyes widened.

A spark appeared above her palm.

Tiny.

Silver-white.

She screamed and shook her hand.

The flame vanished.

Darius stared.

Gareth stared.

Luna stared at her palm.

No burn.

No blister.

Nothing.

Except—

The cut was gone.

Completely healed.

"What the hell?" Gareth whispered.

Darius crossed the room.

"Luna."

"I don't know."

She backed away.

"I don't know what that was."

Darius stopped before touching her.

"Look at your hand."

"I am."

"You're healed."

"I know!"

Panic sharpened her voice.

"I'm sorry."

Darius frowned.

"For what?"

"I yelled."

"Luna."

His voice became very quiet.

"You don't have to apologise every time you make a sound."

Her eyes filled.

Darius wanted desperately to touch her.

This time he asked.

"Can I?"

Luna looked at his hand.

Then his face.

Slowly, she nodded.

Darius took her wrist gently.

Heat immediately rushed through both of them.

He turned her palm upward.

Perfect skin.

No cut.

Not even dried blood remained where the wound had been.

His expression changed.

He knew wolves healed quickly.

Powerful wolves healed faster.

But not like that.

And wolves did not produce flame.

Behind them, Gareth whispered—

"Demon."

Luna went still.

Darius's head snapped around.

Gareth stared at his daughter in horror.

"You're some kind of fucking abomination."

Luna's face crumpled.

Darius felt her hand try to pull away.

He didn't imprison it.

Instead, he loosened his grip and allowed her the choice.

She didn't leave.

That was all Darius needed.

He stepped in front of her.

Gareth continued staring.

"I knew something was wrong with her."

Darius's voice dropped to something deadly.

"Careful."

"She hasn't shifted in nineteen years, and now she's creating fire?"

"I said careful."

"What else would you call—"

"Mine."

The word thundered through the kitchen.

Gareth fell silent.

Darius's Alpha aura erupted around them.

But Luna still remained standing.

Neither man noticed.

Not yet.

Darius looked at Gareth with murder in his eyes.

"You want to know what I call her?"

Gareth said nothing.

"My mate."

Darius moved closer.

"Your future Luna."

Another step.

"And a woman you will never insult again."

Gareth's jaw tightened.

Darius smelled his resentment.

Then Gareth made his mistake.

"You don't know what she is."

Darius's eyes narrowed.

"What does that mean?"

Gareth went still.

Luna looked at her father.

For the first time, she saw something beneath his anger.

Something she had never recognised before.

Fear.

Not fear of Darius.

Fear of her.

Luna's heartbeat slowed.

"Father?"

Gareth looked away.

Darius noticed.

"What do you know?"

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"I said nothing."

Luna stared at him.

A memory surfaced.

Her father standing outside her bedroom when she was little.

Her mother crying.

Words whispered behind a closed door.

She can never know.

Luna had forgotten.

Until now.

"Father."

Gareth's eyes met hers.

"What aren't you telling me?"

His face hardened.

"Don't start imagining things."

Darius looked between them.

His instincts sharpened.

There was more here.

Far more.

But Luna suddenly swayed.

Darius caught her before she hit the floor.

The moment his arms closed around her, the mate bond exploded.

Luna gasped.

Her body pressed against his.

Darius froze.

So did she.

His scent surrounded her.

Cedar.

Rain.

Male.

Mate.

His arm was firm around her waist.

One hand supported her back.

For perhaps the first time in Luna's life, being held by someone stronger than her didn't hurt.

Her fingers curled into his shirt.

Darius looked down.

Their faces were inches apart.

"Luna."

His voice had changed.

Lower.

Rougher.

Her heart raced.

"Yes?"

"Tell me if you want me to let go."

She should.

Everything she knew told her to create distance.

Powerful men were dangerous.

Dependence was dangerous.

Wanting was dangerous.

But Darius was warm.

And for once—

Luna didn't want to be alone.

"Don't."

One word.

Barely breathed.

It destroyed Darius's remaining composure.

His eyes closed briefly.

His forehead lowered until it almost touched hers.

Not quite.

"You're making this very difficult."

Luna swallowed.

"What?"

"Being patient."

Heat rushed into her cheeks.

His thumb moved once against her waist.

A tiny touch.

Yet Luna felt it everywhere.

She looked at his mouth.

Again.

Darius's gaze darkened.

"Careful, little wolf."

Her breath caught.

Nobody had ever called her that.

Little wolf.

Not wolfless.

Not useless.

Not Omega.

Wolf.

Her wolf stirred warmly.

Mate.

Luna whispered, "She likes when you call me that."

Darius's expression changed.

"Does she?"

Luna nodded.

"And you?"

His gaze held hers.

Luna didn't know where the courage came from.

"Maybe."

A slow, dangerous smile appeared on Darius's face.

Her stomach flipped.

"Maybe?"

Luna's lips almost curved.

"Don't push your luck, Alpha."

Silence.

Darius stared at her.

Luna's eyes widened.

"Oh Goddess. I'm sorry. I don't know why I said—"

A laugh escaped him.

Not a polite chuckle.

A genuine, deep laugh.

Luna stared.

Darius Blake was laughing.

Because of her.

His wolf practically purred.

Darius tightened his arm around Luna only slightly.

"Say it again."

"What?"

"Anything that isn't an apology."

She blinked.

Then—

"I think you're bossy."

Darius smiled.

"That's better."

Gareth watched them from across the kitchen.

His face had become unreadable.

But Luna didn't notice.

Neither did Darius.

Because something else had awakened inside Luna.

Not the flame.

Not yet.

Something perhaps just as dangerous.

Hope.

By noon, the entire Silver Creek Pack knew.

Alpha Darius Blake had found his mate.

By one, they knew who she was.

The whispers spread through the pack house like wildfire.

Luna Vale?

The Omega?

The one who can't shift?

There must be a mistake.

Darius heard every word.

His expression grew darker with each one.

Luna walked beside him through the main corridor, painfully aware of every stare.

She had changed into a clean blouse after Darius had refused to let her continue working.

Refused was perhaps the wrong word.

He had asked her not to.

Then stared at Mara until the woman laughed and told Luna she was dismissed for the day.

Now Luna was heading towards the pack healer.

Darius remained beside her.

So did Elias.

And four Black Moon warriors followed several paces behind.

Luna glanced backwards.

Then at Darius.

"Do they have to follow us?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Security."

"I'm walking to the healer."

"Correct."

"Inside my own pack house."

"Also correct."

Luna stared at him.

"You're ridiculous."

Elias coughed into his fist.

Darius looked down at her.

"Was that another non-apology?"

Luna's mouth twitched.

"Maybe."

Darius's wolf preened.

Mate learns.

Darius ignored him.

They reached the healer's rooms.

An elderly woman emerged.

"Healer Agnes," Luna said softly.

Agnes smiled.

"There you are."

Then she saw Darius.

Her smile disappeared.

"Alpha Blake."

Darius inclined his head.

"My mate needs examining."

Luna frowned.

"I feel fine."

"You nearly collapsed."

"Because I hadn't slept."

"And haven't eaten enough."

Luna stopped.

"How do you know that?"

Darius looked at her.

"I can smell it."

Her face turned crimson.

"You can smell that I haven't eaten?"

Elias made the mistake of laughing.

Darius looked at him.

Elias immediately became serious.

"Terrible situation."

Luna covered her face.

"This is humiliating."

Darius leaned closer.

His voice dropped so only she could hear.

"I can smell other things too."

Luna slowly lowered her hands.

His eyes were dark.

Her body warmed.

Oh.

Oh, no.

Darius's nostrils flared.

His jaw clenched.

Luna understood.

Her entire face burned.

He knew.

Darius stepped backwards abruptly.

Elias looked between them.

"What happened?"

"Nothing," Darius said.

"Absolutely nothing," Luna squeaked.

Agnes raised an eyebrow.

"Inside."

Luna practically fled into the examination room.

Darius watched her go.

Elias stepped beside him.

"You look uncomfortable."

"Shut up."

"Is mighty Alpha Blake having trouble with the mate bond?"

Darius slowly turned.

Elias grinned.

"This is going to be the best year of my life."

"I can replace you."

"No, you can't."

Darius considered murder.

Before he could decide, Agnes called him inside.

Luna sat on the examination table.

Darius entered.

Agnes closed the door.

Her expression was serious.

"I've examined Luna since she was a child."

Darius's humour disappeared.

"And?"

Agnes looked at Luna.

"May I tell him?"

Luna hesitated.

Darius noticed that Agnes had asked.

Good.

Finally, someone in this damned pack respected Luna's choices.

Luna nodded.

Agnes turned to Darius.

"Her lack of a shift has never made sense."

"Why?"

"Because physiologically, Luna has always presented as a healthy werewolf."

Darius frowned.

"Then why hasn't she shifted?"

"I don't know."

Agnes moved towards a cabinet.

"Her wolf should have manifested years ago."

"Could trauma delay a shift?"

Agnes went still.

Luna looked down.

Darius's eyes hardened.

"Answer me."

"Yes."

Luna flinched.

Darius immediately moderated his tone.

Agnes noticed.

"Severe trauma can interfere with the connection between wolf and human," she said. "But I've never seen it suppress a wolf for this long."

Darius looked at Luna.

She wouldn't meet his eyes.

"How severe?"

Agnes hesitated.

Luna whispered, "Please."

Darius's chest tightened.

He understood.

Not here.

Not now.

He nodded once.

Agnes continued.

"But what happened to Luna's hand is different."

Darius looked at her.

"You know about that?"

"Word travels."

"Apparently."

Agnes took Luna's hand.

"No scar."

"Nothing," Darius said.

Agnes frowned.

"Werewolf healing cannot close a fresh wound instantaneously."

"So what can?"

Agnes looked at Luna.

"I don't know."

Then her eyes narrowed.

"Luna, may I see your eyes?"

"My eyes?"

"Yes."

Luna looked at her.

Agnes went pale.

Darius stepped closer.

"What?"

"Don't move."

Luna's heartbeat accelerated.

"What is it?"

Agnes leaned nearer.

For one heartbeat, Luna's grey irises flashed.

Not gold.

Not black.

Silver.

Brilliant, luminous silver.

Then—

Orange fire circled the pupils.

Agnes stumbled backwards.

Darius caught her arm.

"What did you see?"

The healer stared at Luna.

Her face had gone completely white.

"No."

Darius's patience disappeared.

"What?"

Agnes whispered something.

"What did you say?"

She looked at him.

"I said this isn't possible."

Luna slid off the examination table.

"What isn't?"

Agnes shook her head.

"I need to check the archives."

"Agnes."

The healer hurried towards the door.

Darius caught it before she could leave.

"You're going to explain."

"I can't explain something I don't understand."

"Try."

Agnes looked at Luna again.

Fear and wonder battled across her face.

"When I was a child, my grandmother told me stories. Old stories. Older than the packs."

Darius listened.

"Stories about what?"

Agnes swallowed.

"A wolf who would be born beneath the Goddess's light but would carry something the moon could not create."

Luna's skin prickled.

Darius became very still.

"What?"

Agnes whispered—

"Fire."

The room fell silent.

Luna stared at her palm.

Darius looked at her.

Neither spoke.

Then, outside—

a wolf howled.

Another answered.

Then another.

Within seconds, howls erupted throughout Silver Creek territory.

Darius rushed to the window.

Every wolf outside had stopped.

Warriors.

Workers.

Children.

All looking towards the sky.

But it was midday.

No moon should have been visible.

Yet there it was.

High above Silver Creek—

a pale full moon burned against the blue sky.

Luna approached the window.

Her breath stopped.

The moment she saw it, something inside her awakened.

Not slowly.

Violently.

Her wolf surged to the surface.

Luna screamed.

Darius spun.

"Luna!"

Her knees hit the floor.

He caught her.

Silver light exploded from her eyes.

Heat blasted through the room.

The windows rattled.

Darius wrapped himself around her.

"Luna! Look at me."

"I can't—"

"Yes, you can."

"It hurts!"

His wolf roared.

Darius held her tighter.

"I'm here."

Fire erupted across Luna's hands.

Darius didn't release her.

"Darius!"

"I'm not letting go."

"You'll burn!"

The flames climbed his arms.

They should have destroyed his clothes.

His skin.

Everything.

They didn't.

Darius stared.

The fire touched him like warm silk.

Luna saw it too.

Her panic faltered.

"It isn't hurting you."

"No."

Her wolf suddenly spoke.

Not only to Luna.

This time—

Darius heard her.

A female voice echoed through the mate bond.

He is ours.

Darius froze.

Luna stared at him.

"You heard her."

"Yes."

The silver flames grew brighter.

Then another presence stirred beneath them.

Ancient.

Immense.

Hungry.

The temperature skyrocketed.

Agnes backed towards the wall.

"Oh, Goddess."

Luna cried out.

For one impossible heartbeat, enormous wings made entirely of fire appeared behind her.

Not physical.

A silhouette.

A promise.

Then they vanished.

The flames disappeared.

Luna collapsed against Darius.

He gathered her into his arms.

"Luna."

She opened her eyes weakly.

Grey again.

"What... am I?"

Darius brushed damp hair from her forehead.

He didn't have an answer.

But Agnes did.

Or thought she did.

The old healer stared at Luna as if witnessing a legend walk out of history.

"You're not wolfless."

Luna's fingers curled into Darius's shirt.

Agnes's voice trembled.

"Whatever has been sleeping inside you..."

She looked towards the impossible moon hanging in the daylight sky.

"...the Moon Goddess herself just woke it."

Darius tightened his arms around Luna.

Outside, hundreds of wolves continued to howl.

And miles beyond Silver Creek, in places neither Luna nor Darius knew existed, ancient creatures lifted their heads.

They had felt it.

A power absent from the world for centuries.

A flame that should never have belonged inside a wolf.

And somewhere deep beneath Luna's consciousness, something enormous unfurled burning wings.

A voice older than her wolf whispered from the darkness.

At last.