Chapter 002

"Lola, you must quit running."

Even though Kael's voice was low—almost like a whisper—it cut right through me, freezing every muscle in my body. My heart was thumping in my chest and my head was still racing when I staggered out of the café. I was exhausted, confused, and feeling overtaken by all that had transpired during the last 24 hours. None of this could really be real. I wasn't some Luna who was meant to be a werewolf pack member. I no longer even knew if I could trust my own judgment.

I turned to look at him. He seemed to be able to see right through the barriers I had put up because his eyes—those terrible eyes—were fixed on me.

"What makes you follow me?" I asked, sounding more desperate than I meant to. "I don't comprehend. Why has everything changed all of a sudden?

Kael took a while to reply. He didn't have to. He never looked away. The air itself seemed to be electrified with something I couldn't fully understand, and I could feel the weight of his presence. Something hazardous. Something strong.

He took a hesitant step toward her and said, "Lola, I'm not following you." "You are mine, which is why I am here." Like a declaration of war, the words fell heavily between us. Additionally, you won't flee from what is about to happen. You are unable to.

My chest tightened. I wanted to scream and tell him to stop bothering me, but there was a part of me that knew what he was saying was true, even though I didn't want to admit it. We had a connection that was too genuine. Too indisputable.

I retreated and pressed myself up against the alley's chilly brick wall. I tried to seem stronger than I actually was by saying, "I don't even know you." "Why should I have faith in you? You're... you're insane.

Kael's lips quirked, as if he were trying to hide a smile, but it was the kind of smile that made my skin crawl. "Lola, you don't have to believe me. However, you must comprehend something. You're not a human.

With a dry throat, I swallowed hard. "What exactly does that mean? What do you say?

For a split second, I thought I saw a glimmer of tenderness in Kael's eyes as his gaze softened. However, it vanished as swiftly as it had emerged. You belong to us, I'm saying. To the group. To me.

The pack was there once more. The thing I was unable to comprehend. How could I be a member of a werewolf organization? I had always considered myself to be just... ordinary. But I knew something was amiss and that there was more to my narrative than I could have ever imagined because of everything inside of me, including the burning in my veins, the pounding in my chest, and the draw I felt toward him.

I shook my head and said, "I'm not like you." "I am not someone's property."

Kael took a single step forward, bringing us closer together. "Lola, you have been concealed. from us. from your actual relatives. from your actual fate. For the first time, there was a raw edge to his voice as it plummeted. "And you're awake at last now."

He said something that made me uneasy, but I wasn't sure what he meant. "You keep using the word 'hidden,'" I mumbled, my thoughts racing. "What exactly does that mean? Really, who am I?

Kael's face grew serious. Exhaling as if to collect his thoughts, he ran a hand through his hair. "You deserve the truth, but I'm not supposed to tell you this."

I prepared myself. The truth wasn't something I was sure I wanted to hear. There appeared to be a cost associated with the truth that I wasn't sure I could afford.

Kael went on, his voice steady but laden with emotion, "I knew you were different from the moment I saw you." "You possess the mark—the Luna's emblem. It is an indication of the person who can guide and safeguard us. His eyes hardened as he paused. However, that mark is a curse as well. It connects you to the group. To the lineage. To me.

"Why me?" Before I could stop it, the question slipped out of my mouth in a murmur. "What makes me so unique?"

Kael's jaw tensed, and I briefly believed he may not respond. However, his voice sank and his eyes softened. "The last Luna was your mom. You were left behind when she vanished years ago. Lola, you were brought up by folks who had no idea who you were. They protected and concealed you. However, now... His voice trailed off. "They're after you now. The only one who can repair the damaged pack is you.

I was at a loss for words. I could hardly hear my own thoughts since my heart was beating so loudly. Was this thing for real? Was I truly a part of this world, of him? To something that was beyond my comprehension?

I shook my head and said, "I don't belong here." "I'm not sure what you're asking of me. However, I don't want to be involved.

A glimmer of annoyance appeared in Kael's eyes as his gaze darkened. "You have no other option."

"Pardon me?" I yelled, raising my voice. "What do you mean that I have no other option?"

I turned before Kael could answer, and heard footsteps coming. At the end of the lane, a group of persons emerged, moving steadily and with purpose. They didn't appear to be regular individuals; there was something threatening about the way they moved and walked.

Kael's face hardened as his eyes darted to them. "Fuck it. They are ahead of schedule.

I tensely turned to face him. "Who are they?"

"The pack," Kael murmured softly. "Those who have been looking for you."

I experienced a wave of panic. These were not your average males who were coming. They had a vitality, a primordial quality. A scary thing. My skin crawled.

Kael took a step forward me and touched my arm. I was startled by the heat of his touch, but I wasn't sure if it was from fear or something else.

With an anxious tone, he said, "You must accompany me." "Now."

With my chest constricted, I stepped back. "I won't accompany you anywhere."

Kael's jaw tightened and his face hardened. "Listen to me, Lola. There is no choice in this. They'll compel you to accompany them and make you perform tasks you don't want to perform. You must have faith in me.

One of the approaching figures let out a low growl, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

Without unexpectedly, Kael tugged me toward him by grabbing my wrist and wrapping his fingers around my flesh like iron.

With a low command, he murmured, "You don't have much time." "You must come right away. Prior to it being too late.

I felt like screaming. I wanted to defend myself from him. However, I noticed something that made me freeze as I stared into his eyes. Desperation. Fear. And something else—something that caused me to doubt all of my assumptions.

The sound of footsteps increased. The pack was getting closer.

I also didn't know who I was or where I was meant to be for the first time in my life.