Moonbound

BLOOD and BETRAYAL

The night was eerily still, the kind of silence that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Luna lay awake in her bed, her mind racing with thoughts of Ryder. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. It was as if the calmness of the night was a warning—a prelude to something dark.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a message from Alex: "They're here. Ryder's pack attacked. Five of our Betas are dead."

Luna's heart sank. She sat up quickly, the weight of Alex's words crashing down on her. Five Betas—gone. Ryder had made his move, and now everything was spiraling out of control.

Earlier that night, Ryder had led his pack in a ruthless ambush on Alex's territory. It was swift and brutal, a calculated strike that left Alex's pack scrambling. They had taken down five Betas before Alex and the rest of his wolves could even react. Ryder's intent was clear—he wanted Alex to suffer, to feel the sting of losing his closest wolves.

But Ryder had underestimated Alex's resolve.

The following afternoon, Alex led his pack in a full-on revenge attack. The battle raged in the forest, the air thick with the scent of blood and fury. Alex's wolves tore through Ryder's pack, killing a dozen before the dust settled. It was chaos—howls echoed through the trees, and the ground was stained with the blood of wolves on both sides.

Luna had heard about the fight, but she couldn't bring herself to go. She stayed home, her heart heavy with guilt and confusion. Her feelings for Ryder were clouding her judgment, but she couldn't ignore the fact that his actions had led to this. And then, she found out about something else that shook her even more.

As the fight between the packs raged on, Luna had caught a glimpse of something she couldn't unsee—Ryder and Felly. They weren't just fighting side by side; they were together, in a way that told her everything. Felly wasn't just a member of his pack; she was something more. Ryder had been with her all along, and Luna had been nothing more than a pawn in his game.

The realization hit Luna like a punch to the gut. She couldn't go to school the next day. She couldn't face anyone—especially Ryder. So, she stayed in bed, the weight of betrayal crushing her. How could she have been so blind?

That evening, there was a knock on Luna's door. She pulled herself out of bed, her eyes swollen from crying, and opened the door to find Jack standing there.

"Hey," he said softly, his eyes full of concern. "I heard what happened. Are you okay?"

Luna shook her head, unable to find the words. Jack stepped inside, his presence comforting in the midst of her turmoil. He closed the door behind him and pulled her into a hug, his arms warm and solid around her.

"You don't have to say anything," he whispered. "I'm here."

Luna clung to him, the emotions she had been bottling up finally spilling over. Jack had always been there for her, quietly supporting her from the sidelines. And now, in her darkest moment, he was the only person who made her feel safe.

They sat down on the edge of her bed, the silence between them heavy but not uncomfortable. Jack's hand found hers, his thumb gently stroking her skin. Luna felt a warmth spread through her, something she hadn't felt in a long time. She turned to him, her eyes meeting his, and in that moment, something shifted.

Without thinking, Luna leaned in and kissed him. Jack froze for a second, surprised, but then he kissed her back, his lips soft against hers. The kiss deepened, and before she knew it, Luna was pulling him closer, her hands tangled in his hair.

Their movements became more urgent, more desperate, as they undressed each other. Jack's hands roamed over her body, his touch gentle but firm. Luna let out a soft moan as his lips traveled down her neck, her body arching into his.

They didn't stop—couldn't stop. It was as if all the tension, all the pain and betrayal she had been feeling, melted away in Jack's arms. For the first time in weeks, Luna felt alive, and she didn't want it to end.

Meanwhile, Alex was sitting with Maya at his house, their books scattered across the table in another one of their study sessions. But this time, Alex's mind wasn't on school. The weight of the recent attack and the growing tension between him and Ryder had been gnawing at him. He knew things were going to get worse before they got better, but there was one thing he was certain of—Maya.

"Maya," he said, breaking the silence.

She looked up from her notes, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?"

Alex took a deep breath, his heart racing. He had been thinking about this for a while, and after everything that had happened, he knew he couldn't wait any longer. "I've been thinking... about us. About the future."

Maya blinked, her expression softening. "Yeah?"

Alex reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I know things are crazy right now, but I can't imagine my life without you. After college... I want you to be my wife."

Maya's eyes widened, and for a moment, she was speechless. But then a smile spread across her face, and she squeezed his hand. "Of course I'll marry you, Alex. I've always wanted that."

Alex grinned, pulling her into his arms. They kissed, the promise of a future together sealing the bond between them. Despite everything that was happening with the packs, this was the one thing that felt right.

Luna lay in bed beside Jack, their bodies tangled together under the sheets. The weight of what had just happened hung in the air, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of peace. Jack stroked her hair, his touch gentle, and Luna knew that things were about to change.