Chapter 5: The Half Moon Bond

I blinked, trying to shake the fog from her mind, my heart still racing.

“Get off me!" I yelled, clutching my bleeding neck. He was the man from the forest the other night. "It's you!”

The man hissed and grabbed me again despite my struggles, “I'm sorry, let me heal you."

For some reason, his voice made me freeze, commanding and alluring, like the poetic siren's call.

I held still and his lips touched my neck, a brief wet kiss that sent shivers down my spine. When he pulled away, the wound was gone. “How?"

“My body can heal and I'm sorry I bit you, I was just carried away."

“Wait. What just happened? You... you turned into a wolf, and now you’re—” I backed up a step, my voice rising, “—a man?”

“My name is Kael. I'm a werewolf," I was about to speak when he held up his hands, his expression calm. “I know this is a lot to take in, Emma, but I need you to trust me.”

“How did you know my name?” I flinched. Trust you?!” I laughed, the sound more hysterical than I intended. “You just... you just turned into a wolf and fought off a whole pack like it was nothing! And now you’re asking me to trust you? I don’t even know you!”

Kael nodded, his eyes softening. “I understand. But those wolves weren’t just random strays. They were sent for you.”

“Sent for me? Why would anyone send wolves after me? This doesn’t make any sense.”

Kael took a step closer, his voice low. “Those weren't just wolves, they were werewolves, just like me. But rogue werewolves.”

I frowned. “Look, I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m nobody special. I was just following a lead. My friend, she got hurt, and I came here to—”

“Your friend, Benny,” Kael interrupted, nodding knowingly. “I’ve heard of her. But it’s not just her. More people have been hurt and now they’re after you.”

“I don’t understand. How do you know all this? How do you know about my friend?”

Kael didn’t answer directly. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice softer now. “I can explain everything, but not here. It’s not safe. There are more of them out there. You need to come with me.”

I shook my head, holding my hands up defensively. “No, I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t know you. You just... you turned into a wolf! I can't believe anything you’re saying.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked conflicted. “Emma, I get it. You have no reason to trust me but I saved your life. And if you stay out here, they’ll come back.”

I glanced around at the dark, empty street. I was frightened.

Kael sighed, his voice almost pleading. “Please. Just let me take you somewhere safe. We can go to your house first to grab what you need, check on your family. But after that, we need to leave.”

“My family?” I asked, voice cracking. “You think they’ll come after them too?”

Kael nodded. “If they know you, they could be in danger. We need to make sure they’re okay.”

The gravity of the situation was settling in. “Fine. We’ll go to my house. But if anything happens... if you try anything—”

“I won’t,” Kael said firmly, stepping back and giving her space. “I’m here to protect you.”

When we arrived at mine, the lights were still on. Alec and mom were likely asleep. I hesitated on the front porch, glancing back at Kael, who hung back in the shadows.

“Wait here,” I said quietly. “I’ll talk to them first.”

Kael nodded.

Alec was in the living room, while her mom sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea.

“Emma?” mom called out, glancing toward the door.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I took a deep breath. “We need to talk. There’s…,” I inhaled again and cleared my throat, "there’s someone outside. He’s here to help me.”

Alec raised an eyebrow. “Someone outside? This late? What are you talking about?”

“Look, it’s complicated, okay? But I think Benny got hurt for a reason and now I might be too.”

Her mom’s face paled. “Is this about your investigation?”

I had thought so too. They already thought I was crazy without having to add some crazy news of a werewolf. “You have to trust me. I might find something solid. At least for tonight.”

Alec stood up, crossing his arms. “Who is this guy outside? How do you know you can trust him?”

“He saved my life tonight. He's some military guy and he’s offering to help.” I lied.

Mom stood up, her hands shaking slightly. “Emma, this sounds insane, what about the police? We should call them.”

“There’s no time for that. Please, Mom, you have to believe me.”

Alec walked to the window, peeking outside to where Kael stood. “I don’t like this,” he muttered. “But if you’re telling the truth and you think this will solve the attacks, fine. As long as you're safe.”

“I am,” my voice softened. “I wouldn’t lie about something like this.”

Mom hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Alright. If you think this is what you need to do... we’ll trust you.”

Kael was quiet as I packed up a few essentials and headed out to meet him.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“To my home,” Kael replied. “It’s protected. No one will hurt you there.”

The ride to Kael’s home was tense. I sat in the backseat, still unable to wrap her head around everything that had happened in the past hour.

When we finally arrived, Kael led us into his house—a large, cabin-like mansion nestled deep in the woods. Surrounded by a large expanse of unused land and a barn wire fence.

“Welcome back, alpha," two men at the entrance bowed as we walked past.

I could feel their curious gaze follow me in.

“The maids will show you to your quarters," Kael said just as a lady walked out to meet me, she reached for my duffel bag and I stepped back.

“Quarters? I'm just here for the night, the couch is fine."

Kael frowned, "I can't let you sleep on the couch, you're my…” he trailed off.

“I'm your what?" I insisted just as a lady walked out of the mansion to welcome him. She was royally dressed in very expensive silk and jewelry.

“Welcome home, Kael," she said and hugged him closely, about to lock lips when he pulled away, looking at me. “What's with the stray?" She asked, gazing at me in contempt.

“She's not a stray, Selene. We have a bond." Kael replied. I was lost. I had no idea what that meant.

Selene gasped and stepped back, “That's not possible." She suddenly grabbed my hands and pulled up my sleeves before I could react. Right there was a tattoo on my wrist, something I'd never seen before.

“The half moon bond." She breathed.

Kael showed his own tattoo, the same mark now on his wrist too. "I've found my mate.”