Bella's POV
"Dad, why are we moving?"
He didn't answer—just kept shoving boxes into the truck, his jaw tight.
"This isn't fair," I said, following him to the doorway. "I grew up here. I don't want to leave overnight. To hell with where we're going—just tell me why!"
He stopped long enough to look at me. The lines around his eyes were deeper than I'd ever noticed.
"Bella," he said quietly, "don't make this harder than it already is. My decision is final. We leave tomorrow."
The tape hissed as he sealed another box. I wanted to scream, but the lump in my throat wouldn't let me. The smell of dust and cardboard filled the room. I turned away before he could see the tears that burned behind my eyes.
---
Morning came too soon.
"Bella, hurry up. We've got a long drive," Dad called from downstairs.
"Yeah, I'm coming," I said, pulling on a hoodie that still smelled like our old laundry soap.
By the time I stepped outside, the sun was just cutting through the fog. Our house—our life—stood half-empty behind me. I traced the edge of the front door with my fingertips, like a goodbye. Then I climbed into the truck.
---
When the engine finally stopped hours later, Dad nudged me awake.
"Hey, sleeping beauty, we're here."
I blinked against the new sunlight. "Sorry. Guess I passed out."
"No problem. I've already unloaded most of our things. Some neighbours helped. Come inside, freshen up."
The air smelled different here—sharp, green, a little wild.
---
"Good morning, Dad," I said when I found him in the kitchen.
He smiled over a mug of coffee. "Morning, honey. Sleep well?"
"Well enough to be starving," I muttered, rubbing my arms. "How could you let me sleep that long? I feel like a fossil."
He chuckled. "You still act like one sometimes. Sit. Eat."
I smiled despite myself and did as told. The bread was warm, the jam too sweet, but it felt like home trying to happen.
---
When we finished, he leaned back with a sigh.
"Bella, listen. I know it's rough starting over. You're in your final year, and I already registered you in a new school. You begin tomorrow."
I bit into the edge of my toast, trying not to sound disappointed. "Okay. But why move so suddenly?"
He looked at the window instead of me. "My company's gone under. This is the only job I could get. I didn't tell you sooner because I didn't want you worrying."
His voice cracked on that last word. I reached across the table, resting my hand on his.
"It's okay, Dad. We'll be fine. Maybe change isn't so bad."
He smiled—small, tired. "You can explore later, but curfew still stands."
---
After he left for work, I showered and pulled on jeans and a cropped tee. The house still smelled like paint and new floors.
Outside, the street was quiet, houses lined in neat rows. Beyond them, a fringe of tall trees moved in the wind.
Something about the woods called to me.
With my headphones in, I wandered toward them. The music drowned out the world until only the rustle of leaves cut through the beat.
I found a patch of grass and lay back, staring up at the canopy. The breeze tickled my skin. My eyelids grew heavy.
Then everything shifted. The air thickened, humming against my ears. My pulse jumped.
A whisper—or maybe a thought that wasn't mine—brushed the edge of my mind. I sat up. The trees seemed to lean closer, their shadows stretching like fingers.
Without meaning to, I stepped deeper into the forest. Every sound, every breath pulled me forward. The air tasted of rain and something electric.
Then I felt it—eyes on me. The hairs on my arms lifted. I spun around, but nothing moved.
My heartbeat thundered. I tried to run.
Darkness folded over me before I could take a step.
Alpha's POV (Silver Morn Pack)
I still couldn't believe it. After years of searching, the Moon finally paired me with a mate… and she's human.
The word felt heavy in my mouth every time I said it — human.
I ran a hand through my hair, pacing the length of my office while Philip stood quietly near the door.
"I waited this long," I muttered, half to myself, "only to find someone who doesn't even share my blood."
Philip shifted uneasily. "Honestly, Alpha… I don't know what to tell you."
He'd been my Beta for years — loyal, calm — but right now, even he couldn't hide his discomfort.
I sighed, dropping into my chair. "How is she?"
"She's still out cold. The pack doctor says she'll wake soon, that she just needs rest."
Rest. I wished it were that simple. I could still feel her — her scent clinging to my skin like a ghost. A pull deep in my chest that refused to ease.
Before I could say more, there was a knock at the door. One of the guards bowed his head.
"Excuse me, Alpha. The girl… she's awake. And she's creating quite the fuss."
My heart lurched before I could stop it.
---
Bella's POV
I want to go home. Where the hell am I?
"Miss, please calm down," a woman said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You were brought here by our Alpha himself. He'll see you soon."
"Alpha?" I snapped. "Who's your Alpha? Tell him I want to go back to my dad. Right now!"
A sharp voice cut through the room like a blade.
"Shut up."
It wasn't shouted — just cold, commanding enough to still the air. I turned and saw him standing in the doorway.
He didn't have to say a word to draw attention. The room seemed smaller around him. His eyes — silver one second, black the next — caught the light like something alive.
"My love," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "why are you staring?"
I swallowed hard. "Are you the Alpha?"
"Yes," he said, stepping closer.
"Then why am I here? You brought me here — take me back!"
He studied me for a long moment, then gave a low chuckle. Everyone around us bowed and slipped quietly out, leaving me alone with him.
All my bravado vanished. My heart hammered against my ribs.
"Pretty," he said softly, taking a step closer. "I know you don't want to be here, but that's not your choice to make. You were born for this. You belong here — with me."
His words crawled under my skin like a command.
"I suggest you let that sink in," he continued. "Don't even think about escaping. I'll always find you."
He turned toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance over his shoulder. "Freshen up. You're free to move around — but don't do anything stupid."
Then he was gone.
The silence that followed was deafening. My fists trembled. My skin burned with anger.
I didn't care who he thought he was — no one got to cage me.
---
I showered quickly, heart pounding as I scanned every corner of the room. The hallway outside was empty, shadows stretching long on the floor. Somewhere deeper in the house, I heard voices — one voice in particular.
His.
I followed the sound until I reached a door slightly ajar. What I saw made my stomach twist.
Blood. Everywhere.
And him — standing there, claws slick with it, his chest heaving.
My breath hitched. I pressed a hand to my mouth, but the scream tore out anyway.
---
Alpha's POV
"Doctor, how is she?" My voice cracked before I could hide it.
"She's stable," the doctor said. "She needs rest, food, and calm. No more shocks — her mind is fragile right now."
When he left, I turned back to her. She lay pale and still, her hair spilling across the pillow like dark silk. Her lips were soft but drained of color.
I sank into the chair beside her bed. My chest ached. If only she were one of us…
The thought gnawed at me as exhaustion pulled at my eyes. Before long, I drifted into sleep beside her.
---
Bella's POV
The images wouldn't stop replaying — his claws, the blood, that look in his eyes.
I had to leave.
I glanced at him where he slept, his face calm, almost human now. But I couldn't let myself forget what I'd seen.
Moving quietly, I slipped out of bed. My legs trembled but I pushed forward.
One step. Two.
Then I was running — down the hall, through the cold air, not daring to look back.
Branches whipped against my arms as I burst into the woods. I didn't stop. I couldn't.
Then, suddenly, the ground disappeared beneath me. Strong arms locked around my waist, lifting me off the earth.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
---
Alpha's POV
I woke to the echo of her scent in the hall — faint but unmistakable.
She was gone.
For a moment, I stood there, forcing myself to breathe, to think. Then instinct took over.
The world blurred. In a heartbeat, I was in the woods, her scent burning like a trail of fire.
She barely had time to scream before I caught her — one arm around her waist, lifting her off the ground.
She fought, kicking, her heartbeat frantic against my chest.
I carried her back, saying nothing. When I reached my room, I set her down and turned the key in the lock. The soft click echoed louder than it should have.
She was here now. That was all that mattered.
Her wide eyes met mine — defiance and fear tangled together. I opened my mouth to speak, but Philip's voice burst through the mind-link.
Alpha, it's urgent. I need you in the office. Now.
I clenched my jaw, glancing at Bella one last time before stepping out and locking the door again.
In my office, I collapsed into my chair. "What's wrong, Philip?"
He hesitated, handing me a phone. "Someone asked to speak with you. Wouldn't give a name."
I pressed it to my ear. "Hello?"
Static. Then a voice — smooth, cruel, too familiar.
"Well, well, well."
My stomach turned to ice.
"Lorenzo," I whispered.
The name tasted like blood and it burned like acid.