Aurelia Veylin knew something was wrong the moment the forest went silent.
No crickets. No rustling leaves. No distant owl.
Only the sound of her own footsteps.
She stopped walking.
The narrow path between the trees stretched ahead, bathed in pale moonlight. She had walked this trail countless times after visiting the market in the neighboring village. It was the fastest way home.
Tonight it felt different.
Heavy.
Like the forest was holding its breath.
Aurelia tightened her cloak and continued forward, forcing herself not to look over her shoulder.
"Just your imagination," she whispered.
But the uneasy feeling refused to leave.
Then she heard it.
A howl.
The sound ripped through the night like a blade.
Aurelia froze.
Another howl answered from deeper in the woods. Then another. The haunting chorus echoed between the trees.
Her heart began to pound.
Wolves.
The stories flooded her mind instantly. Everyone in the Northern Territories knew these forests belonged to them after dark.
Not ordinary wolves.
Werewolves.
Aurelia's stomach twisted with fear.
The howl came again.
Closer.
Her body reacted before her mind could.
She ran.
Dry leaves scattered beneath her boots as she sprinted down the path. Branches slapped against her arms while the cold wind burned her lungs.
Behind her something crashed through the underbrush.
Heavy.
Fast.
Her chest tightened.
They were hunting.
Aurelia ran harder, ignoring the ache building in her legs. The village could not be far now. If she reached the lantern lights she would be safe.
Another howl erupted.
Closer this time.
Too close.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as panic pushed her forward.
Then she heard the pounding of paws against the earth.
They were gaining on her.
Aurelia dared to glance behind her.
Her blood turned cold.
A massive wolf burst from the trees.
It was larger than any animal she had ever seen. Moonlight glinted off its dark fur while its golden eyes locked onto her with terrifying focus.
And it was not alone.
Two more wolves emerged from the shadows, moving silently through the forest.
Aurelia stumbled but caught herself before falling.
Her heart thundered in her chest.
She could not outrun them.
Still she tried.
The path curved sharply around a fallen tree. Aurelia leapt over a cluster of roots and pushed herself faster, ignoring the burning pain in her lungs.
The village lights flickered faintly ahead.
Just a little farther.
A branch snapped loudly behind her.
A deep growl followed.
Aurelia's foot caught on something hidden beneath the leaves.
She crashed to the ground.
Pain shot through her knee as the air rushed from her lungs.
"No," she gasped.
She scrambled to stand but froze.
The wolves had surrounded her.
Three enormous shapes stepped from the darkness, their glowing eyes reflecting the silver moonlight. They moved slowly, circling her like shadows closing in.
Aurelia's throat tightened.
She backed away until her shoulders hit the rough bark of a tree.
There was nowhere left to run.
The largest wolf stepped forward.
It was massive.
Its dark coat shimmered under the moon while its golden eyes studied her carefully.
This was no ordinary wolf.
This was the Alpha.
Aurelia's hands trembled.
"Please," she whispered.
The wolf tilted its head slightly.
Then something strange happened.
The Alpha froze.
Its nostrils flared as it inhaled the air.
The wolf stepped closer.
The other two wolves immediately lowered their heads and backed away.
Aurelia's heart pounded harder.
The Alpha's golden gaze remained locked on her face.
Then it changed.
Bones cracked sharply in the quiet forest.
The massive wolf's body twisted and rose from the ground. Dark fur slowly disappeared as its shape shifted.
Aurelia stared in horror.
Within seconds the wolf was gone.
A man stood in its place.
Tall.
Broad shouldered.
Powerful.
Moonlight revealed sharp features and piercing golden eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness.
Aurelia could not move.
She had heard the stories her entire life.
But seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.
A werewolf.
The man stepped closer.
His presence alone filled the clearing with raw power.
Aurelia's pulse raced wildly.
He looked at her like she was the most important thing in the world.
Or the most dangerous.
His voice broke the silence.
"Who are you?"
The deep sound sent chills down her spine.
"Aurelia," she whispered weakly.
The man's eyes widened slightly.
He stepped even closer.
Too close.
Aurelia's back pressed harder against the tree.
"What pack are you from?" he asked.
"I do not belong to a pack," she said quickly.
His expression darkened.
"That is impossible."
Aurelia shook her head.
"I am human."
For a moment the forest felt completely still.
Then the man inhaled deeply again.
His gaze sharpened.
"No," he said slowly.
"You are not."
Confusion flickered across Aurelia's face.
"What?"
The man stared at her as if seeing something no one else could.
A strange warmth spread through Aurelia's chest.
Her heart began to beat faster.
Something invisible seemed to pull them closer together.
The man's jaw tightened.
Then he spoke again.
This time his voice carried absolute certainty.
"You are my mate."
The words hit Aurelia like a thunderbolt.
Her breath caught.
Mate?
"No," she said immediately.
"That is impossible."
But the man did not look convinced.
If anything, his expression grew more intense.
"You cannot run from it," he said.
Aurelia's fear returned instantly.
She did not understand what was happening, but she knew one thing.
She needed to get away.
Now.
Without warning she pushed past him and ran.
The man did not move.
For a moment Aurelia thought she had escaped.
Then a powerful arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.
She was pulled back against a solid chest.
Aurelia gasped in shock.
"Let me go!"
The man's grip tightened slightly.
"You belong to me," he said quietly.
Panic surged through her.
"I belong to no one!"
For a moment the forest fell silent again.
Then distant howls echoed through the night.
The other wolves were returning.
The man's eyes darkened.
He looked down at Aurelia with a dangerous intensity.
"You do not understand what you have just become," he said.
Aurelia struggled against him.
"I do not care."
But his next words made her blood run cold.
"You will."
The man lifted his head and looked toward the dark forest.
More wolves were approaching.
And they were not friendly.
When he looked back at Aurelia, his expression had changed.
Something dangerous burned in his golden eyes.
"Hold on," he said.
Before Aurelia could ask why, the sound of dozens of paws thundered through the trees.
And the Alpha pulled her closer as the enemy pack burst into the clearing.