My Rogue Mate (AI GENERATED)

Chapter 4: Bound by the Moon

Keeping secrets in a pack is like trying to hold back the ocean with your hands—impossible. Every time I walked through the packhouse, I felt eyes on me. People I’d known all my life looked at me with curiosity or, worse, with suspicion. Maybe it was all in my head, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was going to find out.

It made me want to run to Rhys, to fall into his arms and forget about all of this. But the moment I stepped back onto pack lands, reality closed in like a shadow.

The Silvercrest Pack was everything I’d ever known. My family was here, my friends, my entire life. But lately, I couldn’t find peace here. Every passing day felt like a countdown to the inevitable—the moment someone would see the truth in my eyes or catch me sneaking out to meet Rhys.

It had been days since I’d seen him, but tonight, I couldn’t resist. I slipped out of bed in the early hours, moving silently through the halls, my heart racing with both excitement and dread. It was easier to leave now, but I didn’t let myself think about why. The ache for Rhys had grown into something constant, something as essential as breathing.

The forest was quiet as I reached our meeting place, a small clearing bathed in moonlight. And there, waiting as if he could sense my every step, was Rhys.

The relief that filled me was overwhelming, and I closed the distance between us quickly, feeling his arms wrap around me. He was solid and warm, and as soon as he held me, every worry I’d carried disappeared.

“You’re here,” he murmured, his voice low and soft. His arms tightened around me, and I let myself lean into him, breathing him in, grounding myself in his scent. “I thought you might not come back.”

I looked up at him, searching his face. “I don’t think I can stay away from you, even if I tried.”

Rhys’s lips curved into a soft smile, and he brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Good. Because I’d find you if you did.”

I laughed, the sound foreign to me after the tension of the past few days. “You sound so sure.”

He shrugged, his fingers tracing gentle circles on my back. “I’m your mate, Kael. We’re bound by the Moon Goddess. No matter what, that’s something neither of us can ignore.”

His words settled in my chest, a strange mix of comfort and fear. I couldn’t ignore the bond—every part of me felt it, pulling me to him. But my life was tied to Silvercrest. My loyalties, my family, everything I’d been raised to believe was there.

“I wish it were that simple,” I murmured. “If the pack ever found out…”

Rhys’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. “They don’t need to know. Not if you don’t want them to.”

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “Everyone’s starting to notice. I think Lian’s already suspicious.”

Rhys’s arms tightened around me protectively. “Then come with me. Leave Silvercrest, Kael. We’ll go somewhere far from here, where no one can tell us who we can love.”

I swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. The temptation was strong, almost overwhelming. To leave it all behind, to start a new life with him, somewhere no one knew who we were or what rules we were breaking… it was a dream I’d let myself consider far too often.

But that dream came with a cost. I would be abandoning everything I’d ever known. I would be betraying my pack, my family, my friends—all the people who had loved and raised me.

“I don’t know if I can,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Rhys’s expression softened, and he took my face in his hands, his gaze intense. “Whatever you decide, I’ll be here, Kael. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

My chest tightened, and I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch. The Moon Goddess had bound us together, but she’d left us to figure out the rest. My heart ached at the thought of leaving, but the thought of losing Rhys felt just as unbearable.

Before I could stop myself, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. He kissed me back, gentle and warm, as if he were pouring every promise he’d ever made into that one, single touch. I lost myself in him, in the feel of his arms, the steadiness of his presence, the certainty that, no matter what, we would find a way.

But even as the moment wrapped around us, something in the distance caught my attention—a faint sound, like a twig snapping. My instincts flared, and I pulled back, heart hammering.

“Did you hear that?” I whispered, my gaze darting to the trees around us.

Rhys’s posture stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the forest. He was an alpha, and his senses were as sharp as any wolf I’d ever known. But the seconds ticked by, and the forest remained silent.

After a moment, Rhys relaxed, pulling me close again. “It’s nothing. Probably just an animal.”

But the unease lingered, a chill crawling up my spine. I’d been so careful, so certain no one had followed me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching. That I’d finally been caught.

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The walk back to the packhouse was agonizing. Every step felt like a weight pressing down on me, and when I slipped inside, my relief was short-lived.

As I headed down the hall, I saw Lian waiting outside my door, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

“Kael,” he said, his voice quiet but tense. “Can we talk?”

My stomach dropped. This was it. I forced a smile, hoping it didn’t look as guilty as I felt. “Sure, Lian. What’s up?”

He hesitated, looking me over, and I could feel his gaze like a weight on my skin. “I don’t know what’s been going on with you,” he started slowly. “But… it feels like you’re hiding something. And if you are… I just want you to know you can tell me.”

I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady. “There’s nothing to tell, Lian. I just… needed some air.”

His gaze didn’t waver, and I could see the worry etched into his face. “You don’t need to lie to me, Kael. We’ve known each other too long for that.”

Panic flared in my chest, but I kept my face calm. “I’m fine, Lian. Really. I just haven’t been sleeping well, that’s all.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he sighed, his shoulders sagging. “Alright. But… just remember, you don’t have to face whatever this is alone.”

I nodded, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “Thanks, Lian. I appreciate it.”

As he walked away, relief flooded over me, but it was quickly followed by guilt. Lian was my best friend, and here I was lying to him, hiding the most important thing in my life. But I couldn’t tell him. Not when I knew what it would mean for him, for the pack, for me and Rhys.

For now, the secret was safe. But as I lay awake that night, I knew it wouldn’t be for long. The truth was creeping closer, and it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down.