Moonlit Betrayal

Chapter 1

"You better talk, rogue, before I snap your tiny neck to pieces," the Alpha growled, his hot breath brushing against my skin. His grip on my throat tightened, his claws dangerously close to breaking the surface.

"I mean no harm," I gasped out weakly, my voice cracking under the weight of fear.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp like a whip.

"I was just passing by," I muttered, struggling to breathe under his hold. "I hadn't realized that I crossed over into pack territory."

The Alpha studied me for a moment longer, eyes glowing with suspicion. His muscles tensed like a coiled spring, ready to strike again. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement.

"Ned, look at her. I think she means no harm," a fully clothed lady appeared behind him. Her aura was calm, soothing even, as she placed a gentle hand on his back. Instantly, he seemed to relax, though his gaze remained steely.

"Who are you, and where did you come from?" she asked in a much gentler tone, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

I hesitated, feeling the weight of both their stares. "My name is Ava Lockwood," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "As long as I can remember, I've lived by myself. I grew up on the human side. It's only now, when I wolfed out, that I realized I'm not...human." I paused, swallowing hard. "I do not have a pack. Or if I did... I'm not aware of it."

The lady's expression softened, a hint of sorrow crossing her face. "Oh dear," she murmured under her breath.

She glanced at the Alpha—Ned, she'd called him—and with a soft nudge, said, "Ned, let her go. Let's get her to our pack house and help her."

Ned's claws retracted slowly as he loosened his grip. Reluctantly, he let go of my neck. I took in a deep breath, my body trembling as I fought to stay on my feet.

"My name's Lyla, and this is my husband, Ned," she introduced with a soft smile, stepping forward to offer me a hand. I could see the warmth in her eyes, an open kindness that was a stark contrast to Ned's guarded nature.

I nodded, unsure of what to say, but grateful to still be alive.

"Shift back," she urged, holding out a small bundle of clothes. "Here, these should fit you."

Grateful for the gesture, I took the clothes and shifted back into my human form. My limbs ached as I changed, bones cracking and reshaping. Once the shift was complete, I tugged the clothes on quickly. The air was cool against my skin, but the fabric helped to ward off the chill.

The walk back to the pack house was awkward. Every step felt heavy as we made our way through the pack's territory. Wolves of varying sizes and colors stopped in their tracks to stare, some with curiosity, others with low growls of warning. Their eyes followed me, and though Lyla and Ned's presence offered some protection, I couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider.

When we arrived at the pack house, I couldn't help but gape in awe. The building loomed before us, five stories tall and covered in lush ivy, with balconies that wrapped around like something out of a fairytale. The grounds surrounding it were vast, with perfectly manicured gardens filled with an array of colorful flowers. It was like stepping into a world I had only ever dreamed about.

"Ava, welcome to our home," Lyla said as she held the large oak door open for me.

The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. The pack house had an ancient, regal charm—high ceilings, dark wooden beams, and tapestries hung on the walls, contrasting with modern touches like sleek furniture and gadgets that hummed quietly in the background. It felt like a place where old and new collided, each piece telling a story.