The full moon bathed the forest in silver light. Elena ran barefoot, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The shadows writhed around her like living smoke, hungry and uncontrollable.
"Not again... please, not again," she whispered to herself.
For five years, no village had let her stay. On full-moon nights, her curse awakened—dark shadow magic that devoured everything in its path. Her parents had died because of it. Now she was alone. Always alone.
A deep, earth-shaking growl stopped her in her tracks.
From the darkness emerged a massive black wolf, larger than any creature she had ever seen. Its eyes glowed like twin voids, and shadows danced across its fur—just like hers.
The wolf shifted.
In its place stood a tall, muscular man with raven-black hair and a dangerous smirk on his lips.
"What is a little human doing in my territory?" His voice was low, almost a growl.
Elena stumbled back. "I... I'm just passing through. I don't want to hurt anyone."
He stepped closer, inhaling deeply. His eyes widened.
"Mate."
Elena froze. "What did you just say?"
"You are my mate." He reached out. The shadows pouring from her body surged toward him—not to destroy, but to merge with his own darkness.
For the first time in her life, her curse calmed.
The man—Kaelan, Alpha of the Shadow Pack—smiled darkly.
"You won't run anymore, little one. You belong to me now. Forever."