Bree

Pain radiated through my body as I slowly opened my eyes. I realized that I was no longer in the forest. But I was sure I drove, ditched my car, and entered the forest to die. Instead, I found myself in a room that smelled of cedarwood and an unfamiliar scent that somehow felt comforting yet foreign at the same time.

"You're finally awake," a deep voice said.

I turned my head slowly, wincing at the pain from my broken ribs. A man stood near the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered with deep green eyes.

"Where am I?" I croaked out.

"Bloodmoon Pack," he replied, stepping closer.

"You collapsed in the forest, and my patrol found you."

I attempted to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through me, forcing me to stop. I hadn't fully healed from the accident yet.

"Why did you help me?"

"Would you have preferred if I hadn't?"

He wasn't mocking, only curious. But I ignored him and looked away.

"I'm Finn," he introduced, sitting in the chair near my bed.

"Bree."

"I know."

And it made my wolf stir inside me, uneasy but also intrigued.

The door opened, and Rosa entered, looking pale but relieved when she saw me awake.

"Bree," she exclaimed, hurrying to my side.

"You're alive, thanks to the Moon Goddess."

Rosa's healer eyes scanned me for any injuries. Her fingers brushed over my wrist until she saw the faint mark.

"It seems dormant for now," she said cautiously.

"For now," I repeated bitterly.

"You need to rest, Bree. The curse feeds on your emotions. If you don't stay calm..."

"I know, Rosa," I snapped, cutting her off.

"I've lived with it long enough."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. She turned to Finn and nodded her thanks.

"Alpha Finn, I'll keep an eye on her."

"I'm sure you will," Finn responded without moving.

Rosa hesitated before finally leaving us alone.

Finn remained silent, his gaze on me with unsettling calmness. I hated it. It was nothing like Kyle's easy arrogance or sharp words. His patient silence was unnerving.

"What do you want?" I demanded, breaking the silence.

"To help."

"I don't need your help."

"Your body says otherwise."

I glared at him, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, he leaned forward slightly with his eyes growing darker.

"You felt it too, didn't you?" he asked.

I stiffened.

"Felt what?"

"The bond."

My wolf stirred again, this time feeling more restless.

"You're wrong," I denied.

But Finn's steady gaze never wavered.

"Am I?

I clenched the blanket tightly, trying to ignore the pull I felt towards him. My bond with Kyle was broken, but that didn't mean I should get a new one.

"You're my second mate," Finn declared.

"Don't," I warned.

"You know it's true. Your wolf feels it, too."

A small whimper escaped from Asha, my wolf, a sound I hadn't heard in weeks.

“Do you really think these changes anything?” I snapped, my anger masking my fear.

“It doesn’t. I’m not going to stay here.”

“I’m not asking you to. But running won’t fix what’s broken, Bree.”

“Don’t act like you know me."

“I don’t. But I want to.”

His honesty took me by surprise. Kyle had never been like this.

“I’ll stay until I heal. Then I’m leaving," I stated.

Finn nodded but hope still beamed in his eyes.

Days passed, and I kept my distance, but Finn made it difficult. He was always around, always watching me. Not in a controlling way, but in a way that made it impossible to ignore him.

One evening, I wandered outside, drawn to the quiet garden behind the packhouse.

“You like it?”

I jumped at Finn's voice and turned to see him leaning against a tree.

“It's...peaceful,” I admitted.

“My mother planted this garden. She believed that flowers could heal even the deepest wounds.”

“Flowers can't fix everything," I scoffed.

“No. But it's a start. Look, you don't have to trust me. But I'll be here when you're ready.”

“I don't know if I'll ever be ready,” I whispered.

Then, we both went silent. Meanwhile, Kyle's car screeched to a halt at the border of Bloodmoon Pack.

“She's here,” Kyle muttered, his eyes narrowed as he stepped out.

Kyle

As soon as my vehicle stopped at the main gate, Bloodmoon warriors surrounded me like predators eyeing their prey. The leader, a massive figure with a jagged scar on his jaw, looked ready for a confrontation.

“What do you want?” he challenged.

“I’m here for Bree,” I stated firmly, exuding the confidence of an Alpha.

“Move aside.”

He smirked but didn’t budge.

“Alpha Finn doesn’t welcome uninvited guests.”

“Then let him come and tell me himself,” I growled.

Just then, Finn appeared, striding forward with an air of calm confidence that ignited my irritation.

“Kyle,” Finn acknowledged, stopping beside his warriors.

“I figured you’d show up.”

“Where is she?” I immediately said.

Finn crossed his arms with a smirk.

“She doesn’t want to see you.”

“You don’t have the right to speak for her.”

I stepped closer, asserting my Alpha presence.

“I’ll hear it from her directly.”

“As you wish," Finn said, still smirking as he turned toward the training grounds.

“Bree.”

That’s when I spotted Bree in the middle of a sparring match, fierce and radiant. My heart tightened at the sight, but when she turned to look at me, her expression was unreadable. She approached; annoyance evident as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

“What do you want, Kyle?” she asked.

“I came to take you home."

Her eyes narrowed and she let out a laugh.

“Home? Is that what you’re calling it now?”

“Bree..."

“No," she interrupted.

“You can’t just show up here and act like nothing happened. You made your choice.”

Her words hit harder than I expected, but I stood my ground.

“I messed up, Bree. I see that now. But I’m here, and I won’t leave without you.”

“You don’t get to make decisions for me. Not anymore."

I glanced at Finn, who stood quietly beside her, his presence both aggravating and intentional.

“Is this your doing?” I demanded.

“Have you been filling her head with lies about me?”

Finn raised an eyebrow.

“You’re overestimating my role. Bree doesn’t need my help to see the truth. You provided her with all the proof she required.”

My anger surged, and I raised my voice, “Do you really think you can replace me? She’s, my mate!”

“Not anymore," Finn said flatly.

“Enough!” Bree yelled, cutting the brewing tension between Finn and me.

Her eyes blazed with anger as she shifted her gaze between us.

“This isn’t about you, Kyle. It’s about me. I refuse to be a pawn in your games any longer.”

I stepped closer, desperation creeping into my voice.

“Bree, please. Don’t do this. Don’t throw away what we had.”

For a moment, her expression softened, but it quickly hardened again.

“You were the one who threw it away first.”

Her words struck a blow, leaving me speechless. She was right, and I couldn't argue with that.

Finn’s hand brushed against her arm, and Odin, my wolf, howled at the sight. It wasn’t out of jealousy; it was a protective instinct. Finn didn’t just want Bree; he wanted her to feel safe with him.

“I’ll always fight for you,” I vowed.

“Always.”

Bree tilted her head, studying me as if I were a stranger.

"Sometimes, letting go is the real fight, Kyle. You should consider it.”

Her words pierced my heart like a knife.

“You’ve heard her,” Finn said calmly.

“Leave. Now.”

“I’m not done here.”

“Yes, you are.”

Odin was ready to leap at Finn, but Bree’s voice held him back.

“Kyle, you need to go home.”

I considered ignoring her, pushing past Finn, and taking her back to where she belonged. But the determination in her eyes anchored me in place. She wasn’t begging; she was resolute and defeated. And so, with a heavy heart, I turned, and my fists clenched at my sides.

As I approached the gate, Finn’s warriors stepped aside, their faces smug with satisfaction. I brushed them off, my focus solely on Bree and the faint connection that still flickered between us, despite her dismissal.

"Finn, you might have won right now, but I am not someone who can get intimidated easily. Watch me take her back," I muttered as I went inside the car and left for now.

Bree

The Bloodmoon Pack was starting to feel like a sanctuary, though I couldn't shake the doubt of whether I truly deserved such a haven. Everything around me felt lighter, almost dreamlike. Still, the shadows of my past clung to me.

It was late afternoon, and I found myself back in the training yard. Sparring had become my refuge. With every punch, block, dodge, and roll, I could momentarily escape thoughts of Kyle, the betrayal, and the curse that wrapped around my wrist like a relentless timer.

“Great technique,” Finn’s deep voice interrupted my concentration.

I lowered my fists and turned to see him leaning against the fence. His eyes were calm, but there was a hint of curiosity.

“You should be training your warriors instead of watching me."

“My warriors don’t need as much supervision as you seem to think,” he replied with a playful smirk.

I shot him a doubtful look and he chuckled. His laughter was warm and sincere, not scornful.

“What do you want, Finn?” I asked, grabbing a towel.

“I just want to talk,” he answered nonchalantly.

I raised an eyebrow.

“About what?”

“About why you train as if you’re running from someone.”

I paused, wiping the towel against my face.

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Maybe no, but it won't help you heal."

“Who says I need healing?” I shot back.

“Your eyes,” he said, stepping closer.

“They’ve been screaming since we found you in the woods.”

His words struck a chord, but before I could reply, chaos erupted.

“Rogues!” someone yelled.

Adrenaline surged through me as I instinctively ran toward the commotion with Finn behind me. Bloodmoon warriors sprang into action, but one rogue slipped past them, heading for a terrified pup hiding behind a tree. Asha took control, and before I knew it, I was shifting mid-stride. My claws tore into the rogue’s side, sending him crashing to the ground.

As the chaos settled, I shifted back, panting and marked with scratches. Finn stood a few steps away, his wolf retreating as he looked at me with awe and admiration.

“That was a bit reckless,” he commented.

“But it worked, didn’t it?”

Finn gave a slight smile.

“It did. Still, you should let the warriors handle the front lines next time.”

“And let an innocent pup get hurt?”

Finn’s smile widened.

Later that night, the pack gathered to assess the aftermath and celebrate our victory. I tried to blend in, but the whispers and glances directed at me were hard to ignore.

“She was incredible,” one warrior whispered to another.

I hated the attention, yet a small part of me felt a sense of pride.

Finn found me by the fire pit, my arms wrapped around my knees. He handed me a cup of tea and sat down beside me.

“You made quite an impression today,” he said.

“I didn’t do it for them,” I replied, my eyes fixed on the glowing flames.

“Then why did you do it?”

"Because I couldn't simply stand by and do nothing."

Finn nodded his face deep in thought.

"That's what being a Luna is all about. But I’m telling you this because you have the instincts for it."

"Maybe," I replied, avoiding his gaze, and we both went silent.

"You never talk about your past," Finn observed.

"Because there's nothing worth discussing."

He studied me intently.

"You know that's not true."

I tightened my jaw; the urge to speak itched in my throat.

"What do you want me to say? That I trusted someone who shattered me? That I was naive enough to hope for a happy ending?"

Finn remained calm, patiently waiting as his steady presence began to break down my defenses.

"I lost everything... my mate, my pack, and a part of myself."

"But you're still here," he replied softly.

“For how long?” I shot back, my eyes drifting to the faint mark on my wrist.

Finn reached out, his fingers brushing over it gently.

"For as long as it takes."

As the fire crackled, a sudden sharp pain shot through my wrist. I gasped, clutching it as the mark started to glow. Finn's hand enveloped mine, his expression shifting from worry to something I couldn't quite decipher.

“It’s not over."

“No. It’s just beginning.”