Moonlit Bound

The Unrevaling

The night sky stretched above the campus like an endless canvas, each star shimmering like a drop of silver paint on black velvet. Emily Monroe stood under the lamplight by the library steps, the cool autumn breeze tangling her hair as she glanced down at her phone. Another night working late, another reminder of how suffocatingly ordinary her life had become.

  But that would change tonight.

  She slid the phone into her bag and started down the brick path that led to her dorm, a shortcut through the oak grove that bordered the campus. The sound of her footsteps echoed faintly against the ground, joined only by the whisper of the leaves. She liked the solitude of this route—lately, it felt like the only place she could breathe.

  Her mind drifted to the research she'd been doing in the library. Old legends, cryptic texts, and myths of forgotten lineages. It had started as a project for her history class, but now Emily found herself inexplicably drawn to the stories, as if they were calling to her.

  A sudden rustle in the trees pulled her from her thoughts.

  She froze, her breath hitching as she scanned the shadows. "Hello?" she called out, her voice steady despite the uneasy flutter in her chest.

  Silence.

  She took a cautious step forward, her ears straining for any sound. The grove was darker than usual tonight, the moonlight barely piercing the dense canopy above.

  Then, she heard it—a low, guttural growl.

  Emily's heart leaped as she turned toward the noise. The shadows shifted, and a pair of glowing yellow eyes stared back at her. Panic surged through her veins, but before she could scream, the creature lunged.

  Adrenaline took over. She ducked, narrowly avoiding the beast's claws as it tore through the air where she'd just been standing. Her feet moved on instinct, carrying her deeper into the grove as the creature snarled behind her.

  "Run," a voice commanded, low and urgent.

  She barely registered the figure that appeared out of nowhere, stepping between her and the beast. He was tall, his dark hair catching the faint light as he raised a hand toward the creature.

  "Stay back!" the man ordered, his voice laced with authority.

  The creature hesitated, snarling in defiance before retreating into the shadows.

  Emily collapsed against a tree, her chest heaving as the stranger turned to her. His face was striking—sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes—but it was his presence that left her breathless. He seemed to radiate power, an almost tangible aura that made the air around him hum.

  "Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice softer now.

  Emily shook her head, her words failing her as she tried to process what had just happened.

  "You shouldn't be out here alone," he continued, offering her a hand.

  "I... I didn't know..." she stammered, letting him help her to her feet. "What was that thing?"

  His jaw tightened. "Something you don't want to cross paths with again."

  She swallowed hard, her eyes searching his face for answers. "Who are you?"

  For a moment, he hesitated, as if weighing how much to tell her. "Liam," he said finally. "And you're Emily."

  Her stomach dropped. "How do you know my name?"