The forest held its breath,Lira stood frozen beneath the dual moons, her back pressed against the rough bark of an ancient evergreen, the fallen diary forgotten at her feet, the pack of massive wolves encircled her in a loose ring of muscle and glowing eyes, their heads lowered in deference—not to her, but to the naked man who had just shifted before her eyes
William Ralph.
Even without hearing his name, she knew he was their leader with the way the other wolves parted for him, the way the air itself seemed to bend around his presence, told her everything,he was power incarnate tall and broad, every inch of him carved from years of battle and command Moonlight traced the hard lines of his chest, the ridges of scars that crossed his ribs and shoulders like badges of survival,His dark hair fell wild around his face, and those golden eyes god, those eyes were locked on her with an intensity that made her skin burn,He took another slow step forward then another Until he was close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his bare skin, smell the wild scent of pine, storm, and something darker something that made her pulse race and her thighs clench involuntarily. Lira's mouth opened, but no sound came out her mind screamed at her to run, to scream, to demand answers, but her body refused to obey, It was as if an invisible thread had tethered her to him the moment he spoke that single word: Mine.
William stopped an arm's length away Close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze Up close, he was even more overwhelming sharp jaw shadowed with stubble, full mouth set in a line that was both stern and hungry he inhaled again, deeply, eyelids fluttering as if her scent was a drug he'd waited his entire life to taste.
"You're trembling," he said, voice low and rough, like gravel wrapped in velvet. It wasn't a question It was observation calm, controlled, despite the flare of raw desire in his eyes.
Lira finally found her voice. "Who… who are you? Where am I?" The words came out shaky, barely above a whisper,He didn't answer immediately Instead, his gaze traveled slowly over her taking in her dirt-streaked apron, the white blouse now clinging slightly from the damp forest air, the black skirt that ended just above her knees. When his eyes returned to her face, they lingered on her lips, then her throat, before locking with hers again.
"I am William Ralph," he said at last. "Alpha of the Black Moon Pack. And you" His voice dropped even lower, reverent and possessive all at once. "are in the Wolf Kingdom the realm your blood has always belonged to."
Lira shook her head, a frantic little motion. "No. That's not I was in Seattle. There was an earthquake,I fell, This is a dream Or a hallucination I hit my head—" "You didn't hit your head," he interrupted gently, but with unbreakable certainty "The veil tore, You crossed over and you brought your scent with you." He leaned in slightly, nostrils flaring again "A scent that has haunted every Alpha's dreams for centuries."One of the wolves a sleek silver female with wise green eyeswhined softly and lowered herself fully to the ground the others followed, until the entire pack lay submissive before him,Before them.
William extended a hand toward Lira, palm up Not grabbing ,Offering. "You're safe, little one No one here will harm you but you need to come with me. Now."Lira stared at his hand—large, callused, strong enough to crush bone, yet held out with careful restraint every instinct in her body screamed two opposing things at once: run, and step closer.The pull toward him was physical, Visceral Heat bloomed low in her belly, spreading outward until her nipples tightened against the fabric of her blouse She hated that her body reacted this way to a stranger a naked stranger who had just turned from a wolf in front of her eyes but she couldn't stop it,"I don't even know you," she whispered, "You will," he said simply "Better than anyone ever has and I will know you." His golden eyes darkened with promise "Every sound you make Every inch of your skin,Every secret your body hides."
Lira's breath hitched the words should have terrified her Instead, they sent a rush of liquid heat between her legs She squeezed her thighs together, mortified, praying he couldn't smell her sudden arousal but ofcourse he could,William's nostrils flared again, and a low growl rumbled in his chest not angry, but deeply satisfied His hand remained extended. "Come to me, Lira Arabella." She jolted "How do you know my name?""Your diary," he said, nodding toward the open book on the ground "It spoke to me as clearly as if you had whispered it in my ear."Lira glanced down the page it had fallen open to now showed fresh ink her full name written in elegant, flowing script she did not recognize, beneath the prophetic words from before
This is she,
Lira Arabella
The Blue Wolf has come,Her knees nearly gave out William stepped closer, closing the distance until his bare chest nearly brushed her blouse He was careful not to touch her yet, but the heat of him enveloped her like a blanket. "You're frightened," he murmured. "I can taste it. But beneath that fear… I can taste want, Need The same need that's been clawing at me since the moment your scent reached me across the veil."Lira swallowed hard. "I don't… I don't understand what's happening.""You will," he repeated "But not here. Not in the open, with the entire pack watching." His gaze flicked briefly to the surrounding wolves, several of whom had lifted their heads to observe with open curiosity "Tonight, you come to my den. You will have warmth. Food. Answers. And time."
He paused, then added, voice dropping to a near-growl, "Though not as much time as either of us might like. The bond has already begun. Delaying it will hurt us both."Lira's heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it She looked at his outstretched hand again Every rational part of her brain told her to refuse, to demand proof, to fight.
But the irrational part the part that had written a hundred stories about wolves and fated mates and magic reached out,Her fingers trembled as she placed her hand in his the moment their skin touched, it was like lightning striking dry tinder.A jolt of pure energy surged through her—hot, electric, intoxicating, William's eyes blazed brighter gold, his grip tightening instinctively. A low, involuntary moan escaped Lira's lips as warmth flooded every inch of her body, pooling between her thighs with embarrassing intensity. For a split second, her vision sharpened impossibly—the individual strands of his dark hair, the faint scar through his left eyebrow, the rapid beat of his pulse in his throat.Then it was gone, leaving her gasping,William exhaled sharply, jaw clenched. "Gods," he rasped. "Even a touch…"He pulled her gently but firmly toward him until she stood flush against his naked body One arm slid around her waist, possessive and protective With his free hand, he scooped up the diary from the ground and tucked it safely against her chest, between them."Hold on to your truths, little one," he murmured against her hair "You're going to need them."Then, to the pack, he commanded in a voice that brooked no argument: "We return to the den Spread the word—the Blue Wolf has come home Any who approach without my leave will answer to me."The wolves rose as one, howling in a triumphant chorus that shook the leaves from the trees William looked down at her, golden eyes fierce and tender all at once. "You're mine to protect now, Lira Arabella. And I am yours to command—whether you know it yet or not."Before she could respond, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms—bridal style, her body cradled against the hard planes of his chest. The diary pressed between them like a heartbeat,Lira's arms wrapped instinctively around his neck. She should protest She should demand to walk. But the truth was, her legs felt like jelly, and the feel of his skin against hers was already addicting. As William began to move through the forest impossibly fast, yet smooth, the pack flanking them like an honor guard Lira buried her face in the crook of his neck and inhaled.His scent flooded her storm and pine and raw masculine power deep inside her chest, something ancient stretched, unfurled, and growled in answer,the Blue Wolf was awake and the Black Moon Alpha was already lost to her.