Chapter 4

The moon pendant gleamed as he raised his fist, the chain coiled tightly in his grasp. In that moment, I became painfully aware of how insignificant I was in front of this man— or rather, this creature. The pendant, which had always seemed sturdy, now looked like a mere thread in his long, powerful fingers.

For a brief moment, silence fell over the crowd. It wasn’t the kind of silence that spoke of indifference but one that carried weight, tension, and unspoken fear. I noticed how rigid they all seemed, as if killing humans wasn’t their usual routine—or perhaps I had interrupted something far more significant within the barracks. The man turned his piercing gaze back to me, gesturing toward the necklace with his sharp chin.

“Why do you have this?”

“It was a gift,” I said, my voice hoarse from earlier.

I stayed seated on the ground, my knees throbbing painfully. His eyes scanned my face, and then, slowly, his gaze traveled to my messy brown hair, where a single red streak curled at the ends. He tilted his head slightly, as though searching his memory for something that refused to surface.

“It’s a silver necklace,” he muttered, his voice edged with suspicion.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

“All our jewelry is made of silver. It’s not unusual.”

“This kind of jewelry isn’t common,” he insisted, his tone growing sharper, more agitated. “It was lost years ago when humans thought they could enslave us—when they dared to use us in their experiments.”

The weight of his words struck me like a hammer. My mind reeled, imagining the implications. If these beings’ blood held some key to curing the suffering of my people, it could explain why others had risked everything to retrieve this relic. But if they had tried and failed, what chance did I have?

“My father gave it to my mother when she became pregnant,” I explained carefully, sensing the danger in his growing intensity. “That’s why I study the cosmos. The stars. I’ve always felt connected to the moon, ever since I was a child.”

“It’s the witch’s curse!” someone whispered in the crowd, their voice trembling with fear.

“Kill her, Alpha Randall!” another begged. “Protect us!”

I frowned, bewildered. A witch’s curse? If anything, my fascination with the sky was just that—a fascination. I had no knowledge of spells, let alone curses. Then again, I hadn’t believed in werewolves either—until now. It seemed wise to hold my tongue and try to understand their fear.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from Alpha Randall, silencing the murmurs instantly. With one hand, he lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. The golden hue of his eyes darkened into a blazing red, and I swore I felt the faint scrape of claws against my skin.

“Her scent is familiar... and disturbing,” he said, narrowing his eyes. The raw power in his voice left me paralyzed. “You have ten seconds to explain who you are, why you’re here, and how you found us. Don’t lie, by the stars, or I’ll tear out your spine.”

I laughed—not out of humor, but despair. Everything about this situation felt surreal, like a nightmare I’d soon wake from.

“I can’t explain myself in ten seconds,” I replied, a hint of defiance creeping into my voice.

“You’ve wasted five already,” he growled. “Choose your next words wisely.”

“My name is Stella,” I said quickly, trying to buy time. “I’m an astronomer. I study the stars. I found coordinates—patterns—by following the constellations. They led me here.”

“The stars led you here?” he asked, his voice dripping with disbelief. He released my chin, stepping back slightly. “Did the moon tell you this was a good idea?”

Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn’t suppress a wry smile.

“The moon doesn’t speak.”

His breath, hot and heavy, brushed against my face as he exhaled sharply. I hadn’t even noticed how close he’d gotten. Now, with him towering over me, I could see every sharp angle of his face. He was beautiful—strikingly so. It was unsettling. In a world ravaged by famine and decay, beauty like his felt otherworldly.

“Alpha Randall,” my captor interrupted. “Do you believe the curse has come true?”

“I’m certain of it,” he replied coldly.

A collective groan rippled through the group, a sound filled with dread and regret. I scanned their faces, trying to piece together what this so-called curse could mean. My heart sank as Randall suddenly yanked me to my feet, his claws gripping the collar of my tattered shirt. The fabric strained under the force, nearly ripping.

“We’re taking her with us,” he announced, silencing any protests with a single glare. “If the witch’s prophecy is true, she could lead others here. I won’t risk it.”

“What could you possibly have that humans would want?” I blurted out, unable to hold back my curiosity.

This time, he didn’t ignore me. His golden-red eyes bore into mine with unsettling intensity.

“You carry something that could lead them to us,” he said, shoving the necklace into my hand. “I can’t let you leave, not when your presence alone could bring ruin. Besides, if you get yourself killed, it’ll become my problem.”

“Why would it be your problem?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“She talks too much,” my captor muttered.

Randall’s gaze snapped to him, and the man visibly flinched.

“She won’t survive long,” the captor added hesitantly. “I can smell the disease in her. It’s eating her alive. We may not even reach the witch in time to undo this cruel fate.”

“Remember the witch’s words,” Randall said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

His response seemed to pacify the group. They moved quickly, gathering supplies and abandoning the barracks. Randall remained in front of me, his towering presence blocking out the sun.

“Why didn’t you kill me?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound defiant.

He straightened, his massive frame casting a shadow over me once more.

“Because I can’t afford complications.”

“With humans?” I laughed bitterly. “I doubt anyone would find this place after you’ve disposed of me.”

“What does a human like you know about fate?” he retorted.

I shrugged. “I wouldn’t have looked to the stars if I didn’t believe in it.”

His expression hardened, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. Instead, he handed me the necklace, his voice low and filled with something resembling regret.

“You carry the symbol an ancient witch said my mate would bear,” he said quietly.

“Unfortunately for both of us, my fated mate appears to be a filthy human like you.”