Fated by Blood and Moon

Chapter 2: Whispers in the Dark

I awoke to the sound of rustling outside my shed, the moonlight casting a pale glow over the tiny space I called home. My heart raced as I lay still for a moment, listening intently. The night was unusually quiet, but there was a tension in the air, a whisper of danger that made my instincts flare.

Pushing myself up from the mattress, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and crept to the window, peering outside. The courtyard was dimly lit, shadows dancing against the pack house that loomed like a fortress against the night sky. My breath caught in my throat as I spotted movement—a figure moving stealthily across the yard, low to the ground, their body silhouetted against the moonlight.

Fear coursed through me, and I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, straining to see more. The figure was too big to be human, too agile to be a wolf. What was going on? I felt a mix of curiosity and dread knotting in my stomach.

“Maya!” The soft, urgent voice broke the silence, and I felt a rush of relief wash over me.

Evelyn.

My heart fluttered at the sound. She was the only one in the pack who showed me any kindness. I had known her since childhood, and despite the hostility I faced, she had always treated me like a person, not a mere reminder of past betrayals.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, glancing around nervously to ensure no one else was watching.

Evelyn slipped into the shed, her expression frantic. “I need to talk to you. Now.”

“What’s wrong?” My pulse quickened as I took in her pale face, the worry etched in her features.

She took a breath, glancing back toward the door as if expecting someone to follow. “It’s about the Bloodfang Pack. They’re planning something.”

My stomach dropped. “Planning what?”

“The Alpha believes it’s time to finally rid the pack of any potential threats,” she said, her voice trembling. “Including you.”

I felt the world tilt beneath me. “Me? But I haven’t done anything!”

Evelyn stepped closer, her eyes wide with concern. “They see you as a liability, Maya. A reminder of the vampires who attacked us. They think that if they eliminate you, it will somehow erase their pain.”

The weight of her words settled heavily on my chest. I had felt their hatred for years, but to hear it so plainly stated made it feel more real, more terrifying. “What can we do?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. “But you need to be careful. You can’t let them find you alone. You need to stick to the shadows.”

“I always do,” I replied, trying to project confidence, even though doubt gnawed at my insides. “I’ve survived this long; I can keep doing it.”

Evelyn’s gaze softened, and she reached out to grasp my hands. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. If you hear anything, if you see anything… come to me. I’ll help however I can.”

“Thank you,” I said, squeezing her hands tightly, gratitude swelling in my chest. Having even one ally in this place felt like a lifeline.

But just as she turned to leave, a loud bang echoed through the night, and the door of the shed rattled violently. My breath caught in my throat.

“Who’s in there?” a deep voice called from outside.

Darius.

Panic surged through me. “Quick! Hide!” I hissed, pushing Evelyn toward the small storage area in the corner.

She slipped inside just as the door burst open, and I braced myself as Darius stepped into the shed, his face contorted with irritation. “What are you doing out here, mutt?”

My heart raced as I struggled to maintain my composure. “Just… resting. I’m tired from cleaning the stables.”

Darius stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the small room. “Resting? While the rest of the pack is out preparing for a hunt? You’re worthless, you know that?”

I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “I’m just trying to do my job.”

“Your job?” he sneered. “You mean your role as the pack’s little servant? You should be grateful we even allow you to stay here. You think you’re special? You think your blood makes you one of us?”

I felt a surge of anger. “I don’t think anything! I know I’m not like you, and I never will be.”

Darius stepped closer, looming over me like a predator sizing up its prey. “You’re nothing but a parasite, living off the scraps we leave behind. And one day, we will be rid of you.”

My heart pounded as I fought to stand my ground. “You can’t keep me here forever. One day, I will escape this place.”

He laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed in the small space. “Escape? Where will you go? You’re nothing without the pack, and you know it. No one will want you. You’re cursed.”

“Maybe I’d rather be cursed than live under your thumb,” I shot back, surprising myself with the strength of my words.

Just as he opened his mouth to retaliate, a low growl resonated from behind him. My heart leapt as I saw Evelyn emerge from the shadows, her eyes glinting dangerously.

“Let her go, Darius,” she warned, her voice steady. “You don’t want to make this worse for yourself.”

Darius’s gaze flickered to her, surprise flashing across his face before it was replaced with annoyance. “What do you want, princess? This has nothing to do with you.”

“It has everything to do with me. I won’t let you bully her anymore,” Evelyn declared, stepping forward with determination. “You may think you’re untouchable, but you need to remember that the Alpha has his eyes on you too.”

The tension in the room crackled, and for a moment, it felt like the world had paused. Darius seemed to contemplate his next move, his anger battling with the realization that he couldn’t act without consequences.

Finally, he released me and stepped back, his jaw clenched tightly. “You’re lucky you have someone to protect you, Maya,” he spat before turning on his heel and storming out of the shed.

I collapsed against the wall, my body trembling from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “Thank you,” I breathed, looking at Evelyn with a mixture of gratitude and fear. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come.”

Evelyn stepped closer, concern etched across her features. “You have to be more careful, Maya. They won’t stop until they’ve made you suffer. You can’t let them see you weak.”

“I know,” I replied, my voice shaky. “But it’s hard to keep fighting when it feels like the world is against me.”

Evelyn reached out, squeezing my hand gently. “You’re stronger than you think. Remember, you’re not alone in this. I’ll always have your back.”

As she turned to leave, a mix of warmth and dread washed over me. For a fleeting moment, I felt like I wasn’t entirely alone in this fight. But as I watched her slip back into the night, the reality of our situation settled heavily on my shoulders.

I was still trapped in this nightmare, still facing an uncertain future. But I could feel the tide shifting, an undercurrent of change surging just beneath the surface.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. I would fight. I would survive.

And one day, I would escape.