Moonborn: Rise of the Wolfless Luna

Bella was running as fast as she could through the forest.

Thick smoke curled through the trees, clouding her vision and burning her lungs. Her legs trembled beneath her, weak from the wolfsbane still coursing through her system.

She stumbled and stopped by a fallen tree, panting hard. Her hand clutched her chest as she whispered in a shaking voice, "Moon Goddess, please... Please help me escape this nightmare."

A distant wolf's howl echoed through the trees.

Bella's eyes widened in fear. Her instincts kicked in. She pushed herself up and ran again, her bare feet bleeding, her body aching, but her will to survive stronger than ever.

Not far behind, two guards stumbled through the underbrush.

"How the hell is she still running that fast after all that wolfsbane?" Tim shouted, frustration and disbelief mixing in his tone.

Mike caught up beside him, placing a hand on Tim's shoulder. "Alpha Roland gave us a direct order. We have to bring the maid back alive, at all costs."

Tim cursed under his breath, trying to keep up.

But Mike suddenly froze, eyes wide as he pointed ahead. "Wait... That's Moonshadow Pack territory."

Tim skidded to a stop beside him. "Shit. We can't cross into their land.

Mike nodded, breathless. "We find another way around. Fast."

Meanwhile, deep inside Moonshadow Pack territory...

Alfred Black, the Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack, stood near the edge of a steaming pool of water nestled between ancient rocks. He was shirtless, blood crusting around a wound on his side, his body still bruised from a recent border ambush.

Night had fallen. The moonlight danced on the water.

His Beta, James, stood nearby, his voice low and serious. "Alpha Alfred, the perimeter is clear. No one will disturb you. Please rest and let your body heal."

Alfred gave a small nod. "Make sure no one finds out my wounds are acting up.

"Understood." James bowed and left the clearing.

Alfred slowly stepped into the warm water, wincing slightly as the heat touched his wounds. He leaned back against the stone wall, letting his body sink.

Silence.

But just as he closed his eyes... he heard a splash.

He snapped to attention. "Who's there?" he growled.

He turned quickly and saw a young woman stumbling into the water. She looked terrified, her face pale, eyes unfocused. Her dress was torn and dirty, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.

Bella.

Her body trembled as she stared at him. She stepped toward him slowly, her voice weak. "Please... I've been drugged. Will you help me?"

Alfred stepped forward cautiously. "How did you even get in here?"

Bella's eyes fluttered. Her head spun.

He was warm.

His presence seemed to melt away the fear inside Bella. Though her limbs trembled and her mind was hazy, she felt calm, safe, and even. But she didn't understand why.

Without thinking, she leaned in and pressed her trembling lips against his.

Alfred pulled back, startled by the sudden kiss. "You're not thinking straight," he said gently.

"I... I don't know what's happening," she whispered, voice breaking. "But I don't want you to stop."

As she touched his chest, a strange light pulsed under her palm, and then, just like that, the gashes on his skin began to close.

Alfred's eyes widened. "What...? My pain. It's gone."

He stared at her with a mixture of wonder and suspicion. "What are you?"

Bella met his gaze helplessly. "I don't know."

He reached out, brushing a strand of soaked hair away from her face. Something stirred inside him. Something primal. Fierce. Protective.

Could she be... my mate?

He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur against her ear. "Are you sure you want this? Because once we start... there's no stopping."

"I want you," she said, trembling. "Please."

He lifted her from the water with surprising gentleness and laid her down on the warm rock nearby. The night air wrapped around them, but neither of them felt the cold.

His lips met hers again, deeper this time, filled with heat and hunger.

"Then sit back," he whispered huskily, "and enjoy the ride."

When Bella woke up the next morning.

Bella stirred beneath soft, unfamiliar blankets. As her eyes fluttered open, she saw a man beside her.

Alfred lay beside her, sleeping soundly.

Her breath caught in her throat. What have I done?

She had slept with a stranger... after being drugged and running for her life.

Slowly, carefully, she peeled his arm from around her waist and slipped from the bed.

She found her torn dress and shoes, quickly getting dressed with trembling hands.

"I escaped from the Wolfsbane Pack. I can't let them find me again." Bella said in her thoughts.

Without a second glance, she opened the door and disappeared into the woods once more.

The moment Bella left, Alfred's eyes blinked open.

His hand reached instinctively to her side... and found emptiness.

He sat up quickly, scanning the room.

"She's gone," he muttered.

The door creaked open as James stepped in. "Alpha..."

"There was a woman here last night," Alfred interrupted sharply. "Find her."

Bella moved quickly, her eyes scanning every shadow and tree branch. Each rustle in the leaves made her flinch.

Then a voice rang out.

"Bella!"

She froze in her tracks.

Her breath caught as she turned around slowly, only to find Bruno, Tim, and Mike standing a few feet away. Their faces were cold. Determined.

Bruno crossed his arms, smirking. "This is the tenth time you've run off.

Bella's knees trembled.

Bruno stepped forward and grabbed her by the arm roughly. "Alpha Roland's gonna make you pay."

Tears burned in her eyes.

They took Bella back to Wolfsbane.

Roland Hill, Alpha of the Wolfsbane Pack, sat back in his leather chair in his private office, his eyes closed. A smirk danced on his lips as the woman under the table stroked his big cock  with her hand, pleasing him.

Her name was Selina, his lover, though he treated her like every other woman, disposable.

As he let out a groan of pleasure, his fingers circling her nipples, the office doors swung open.