Fated by Blood and Moon

Chapter 7: Unraveling Bonds

The silver wolf stayed close to my side as we made our way deeper into the forest. My mind was still reeling from everything that had happened—the attack, the reveal of my mate, and the undeniable bond that connected us. I kept glancing at him, trying to reconcile the powerful, commanding Alpha with the wolf who had so tenderly protected me.

As we walked in silence, my mind drifted to Lyra. You can feel it too, can’t you? I thought, hoping my wolf would answer.

Her voice was calm but sure as she responded. Yes. He’s ours, Maya. Our mate. But there’s more to this. I can feel the weight of his power, the strength of his wolf. Be careful. He’s not just any Alpha.

I know, I whispered back mentally, feeling a mix of fear and excitement swirling in my chest. He’s different. But… why didn’t I sense him before? Why now?

Lyra was quiet for a moment, pondering. It could be fate, or maybe we were never meant to meet until now. The bond was always there, hidden beneath the surface. But now that we’ve found him, there’s no turning back.

Her words resonated deeply within me. There was no turning back. I could feel that truth in my bones.

We continued in silence, the only sound coming from the forest floor beneath our feet. The silver wolf stayed close, occasionally brushing against my side as if to reassure me that he was still there, protecting me. I still didn’t know his name, but it didn’t matter—not yet. The bond between us was enough for now.

After a while, he led me to a secluded clearing by a small stream. The water bubbled softly as it moved over the rocks, the gentle sound filling the otherwise quiet night. He stepped toward the water and shifted back into his human form.

I averted my gaze at first, trying to give him privacy, but when I looked back, my breath caught in my throat. He was tall, powerful, his body scarred from countless battles. His hair was dark, and his eyes… those same silver eyes I had stared into moments ago in his wolf form.

“Mate,” he said again, his voice deeper now, more human, but carrying the same weight it had before.

I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of what to say. The pull toward him was undeniable, but there was so much I didn’t know, so much that confused me. Lyra’s voice echoed in my head, grounding me.

He’s strong, Maya. But remember, we are strong too. Don’t lose yourself in this bond.

I nodded slightly, agreeing with her. I needed to keep my head clear. This bond, as powerful as it was, didn’t erase the dangers around us—or the fact that I had been an outcast for so long.

He stepped closer to me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “You’re safe now,” he said, his voice a quiet promise. “No one will harm you.”

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust that the bond between us was enough to shield me from the dangers I had faced all my life. But part of me still held back, wary of the unknown, wary of what it meant to belong to someone after so many years of being alone.

Lyra spoke again, her voice urging me forward. You don’t have to trust everything right away. But let him in, Maya. We can’t do this alone anymore.

I took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I don’t even know your name,” I said, my voice trembling slightly.

He looked surprised for a moment, then smiled—a small, almost hesitant smile. “Leo,” he said. “I’m Leo.”

Leo. The name echoed in my mind, and something inside me clicked into place. Leo, my mate. Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack.

Before I could respond, the sound of rustling leaves interrupted the quiet, and my heart leapt into my throat. Leo immediately tensed, his body shifting slightly in front of mine in a protective stance.

From the shadows emerged two wolves, both of them unfamiliar to me. They shifted quickly, revealing two men—one of whom I recognized as the wolf who had spoken earlier.

“Alpha,” the man said, his voice cautious but respectful. “We’ve secured the perimeter. The Bloodfang wolves retreated after your confrontation, but we’re keeping watch just in case.”

Leo nodded, his expression calm but alert. “Good. Keep me updated.”

The man hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking toward me before he spoke again. “And the girl? What should we do about her?”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I felt a sudden surge of anxiety. What did he mean by “do about me”? Was I still a threat to them?

Leo’s eyes darkened slightly, and his tone became firm. “She’s my mate. That’s all you need to know.”

The man nodded quickly, his expression shifting to one of respect. “Understood, Alpha.”

The two wolves quickly retreated into the shadows again, leaving us alone once more.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. Leo turned back to me, his gaze softening once again. “You’re with me now,” he said quietly. “No one will question that.”

For a moment, the weight of his words settled over me. I was no longer just Maya, the outcast of the Bloodfang Pack. I was his mate. And that meant something—something powerful.

But even as I felt the warmth of that connection, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a much larger story.

We’re in this together, Maya, Lyra whispered in my mind. Whatever comes next, we’ll face it head-on. But for now… let’s trust him.

I nodded internally, feeling the strength of my wolf bolstering me. I wasn’t sure what the future held, but with Lyra by my side and Leo as my mate, I felt ready to face whatever was coming.

Leo reached out, gently taking my hand in his. His touch sent sparks up my arm, and for the first time in a long while, I felt… safe. The chaos of my life, the danger that had always seemed to lurk around every corner—it all faded away, leaving just the two of us standing in the moonlit clearing.

“We should rest,” Leo said softly. “Tomorrow, we’ll figure out our next steps. But for now, you need to heal.”

I nodded, letting him lead me to a soft patch of grass by the stream. As I lay down beside him, the bond between us pulsed gently, soothing my frayed nerves. Lyra settled in my mind, her presence a comforting reminder that I was not alone.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But for now, in this moment, I allowed myself to feel the peace that had been so elusive for so long.

Rest now, Maya, Lyra murmured. We’ll be ready for whatever comes next.

As I closed my eyes, the gentle sound of the stream lulling me into sleep, I felt the bond with Leo grow even stronger. Whatever lay ahead, I knew we would face it together—wolf and mate, bound by something far deeper than I had ever imagined.