Moonlit Legacy is

"Even after all this time, I can still feel his breath on my neck-hot, hateful, and heavy with promises of pain." I still feel the pain of the blows that left scars on my heart.""This year will be different, I promise," Aubrey whispered to herself, trying to shake off the nightmares about her ex-husband, Victor, who had left behind deep wounds. light, her reason for surviving the storm from her ex-husband, Victor. Seven-year-old Lily with a smile like stardust, and eyes that held too much of the man who broke her."This year will be different, I promise," Aubrey vowed under her breath, the photo trembling in her grasp. "I won't let the past steal one more thing from me." Suddenly, a knock at the door shattered the silence. Aubrey's heart raced, hoping it was just a neighbor or courier. But when she opened the door, she saw a handsome man with piercing grey eyes and sleek back hair that looked stunning."Can I help you?" Aubrey asked cautiously, her grip on Lily's photo tightening."My name is Alexander Blackwood," he replied in a low and smooth voice. "I'm looking for the owner of this apartment. A Ms. Aubrey Moonwhisper?"Aubrey's instincts screamed warning - was this stranger, and how did he know her name?Aubrey's grip on the doorframe tightened, his mind racing with possibilities. "That's me. What do you want Mr. Blackwood?" Alexander's gaze locked onto hers. "I'm a business associate of your ex-husband' Victor mentioned you might be able to help me with some, unresolved matters."Aubrey's heart sank, her instinct screaming louder. Victor never did anything without an ulterior motive - especially not after what he'd put her through. "I doubt I can help you with anything related to Victor," she said coldly, trying to shut the door.But Alexander's hand shut out, his fingers wrappings around the doorframe mere inches from hers. "Please Ms Moonswhisper, hear me out. This concerns your daughter's... well-being."Aubrey's eyes narrowed, her protective mama bear instinct roaring to life, "What do you know about Lily?"Alexander's gaze never wavered. "Enough to know Victor's plan for her is not in her best interest. May I come in and explain?"Aubrey hesitates, unsure if she should trust this stranger - yet somehow drawn to the intensity in his eyes.Aubrey stepped aside, allowing Alexander to enter. She gestured to the couch, trying to appear calm."Explain."Alexander sat down, his eyes scanning the room before focusing on her. "Victor owes certain... individuals a substantial debt. They're willing to forgive it if he hands over custody of Lily."Aubrey's blood ran cold, "That's never going to happen." She felt a surge of adrenaline, ready to fight for her daughter.Alexander leaned forward, "I know that, but Victor's desperate. He'll stop at nothing. That's why I'm here, to offer you protection and a way to keep Lily safe."Aubrey searched his face, trying to read his motives. "Why would you help me? You're Victor's associate."Alexander's gaze seemed to cloud over, his expression hinting at secrets. "Let's just say, Victor and I have a differing interest. My family's interest aligns with keeping Lily out of his hands."Aubrey's mind whirled with questions, but before she could ask any, Lily appeared in the doorway, rubbing her sleeping eyes. "Mommy, who's that?""Mommy just talking to a friend sweetie, " Aubrey said quickly, trying to usher Lily back into her bedroom. But Lily's curiosity got the better of her, she passed closer to Alexander, eyeing him warily.Alexander smiled, his expression softening in a way that surprised Aubrey. "hello there, little one. My name is Alexander."Lily looked up at Aubrey uncertainly, then back at Alexander before saying, "You smell like woods."Aubrey's heart skipped a beat - that was an odd thing for Lily to say. Alexander chuckled low in his throat. "I have a house near the forest. Maybe that's why."But Aubrey noticed something strange - Alexander's eyes seemed to gleam in the dim light, like moonlight on water. And his smile... it seemed to hold a hint of something wild.Suddenly, Lily reached out and touched Alexander's hand. "You; 're not like Daddy," she said softly.Aubrey felt a shiver run down her spine - Lily never spoke about Victor voluntarily. Alexander's gaze met Aubrey's, intense and questioning, before he gently said, "No, I'm not like at all."Just then, a loud crash of thunder boomed outside, making Lily jump. Alexander instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulders - and Aubrey saw something that made her blood freeze: his eyes flashed yellow in the dark.Aubrey's heart racing, she stepped forward, trying to process what she'd just seen. "Lily, come here baby," she said softly, trying to pry her daughter away from Alexander.But Alexander's grip on Lily's shoulders loosened slowly, his eyes never leaving Aubrey's face - and they were still yellow, like a wolf gaze in the dark."Lily safe with me," he said low and even, his voice sending shivers to Aubrey's.Suddenly, his eyes flashed back to normal - piercing grey again, leaving Aubrey wondering if she'd imagined the whole thing. But her instincts screamed otherwise."Lily, tell Mommy what you feel when you touch him," Aubrey asked slowly, her eyes locked on Alexander's face.Lily looked up at Alexander, then back at Aubrey before saying softly, "He feels like... magic and sadness and something wild."Aubrey's grip on her heart tightened, Lily was sensitive to emotions and energies, if she felt something wild in Alexander..."Alexander, what are you?" Aubrey asked point-blank, her voice barely above a whisper.His gaze never wavered. "Something your ex-husband would kill to control, Aubrey. Something with claws, teeth... and a moon curse."The room seemed to spin when Aubrey grasped the truth: Alexander Blackwood is a werewolf.