Elena's wrists burned from the rough rope that bound them, but it was nothing compared to the fire in her chest. She stood in the center of the Shadow Pack's grand hall, surrounded by dozens of glowing eyes. Werewolves—real werewolves—watched her like she was both prey and poison.
The hall was carved from ancient black stone, lit only by torches that cast long, dancing shadows across the walls. Every flicker seemed to mock her own darkness.
Kaelan strode in, his presence silencing the murmurs instantly. He had changed into dark leather pants and a fitted black shirt that clung to his broad shoulders. His raven hair fell messily over his forehead, and those void-like eyes locked onto her immediately.
"Let her go," he commanded the two guards holding her arms.
They obeyed without question, stepping back. Elena rubbed her wrists, glaring at him.
"You can't keep me here," she said, her voice shaking despite her effort to sound strong. "I'm dangerous. My curse will hurt you—all of you."
Kaelan stepped closer, too close. The heat radiating from his body made her breath hitch. He reached out, brushing a strand of silver-touched hair from her face. His touch was gentle, but the possession in his eyes was anything but.
"You're not dangerous to me," he murmured, voice low and velvet-rough. "Your shadows answered mine last night. They submitted. Only I can tame them."
Elena jerked away. "You don't understand. Every full moon, they destroy everything. My parents… the village…" Her throat closed at the memory of flames and screams. "I won't let that happen again."
Kaelan's jaw tightened. He turned to the gathered pack—elders in the front, younger wolves behind. "This is Elena. My fated mate."
A wave of gasps and whispers rippled through the hall.
"Alpha, she's human," an older woman protested, stepping forward. Her eyes were sharp with fear. "And those shadows… I felt them. They're unnatural."
"Unnatural?" Kaelan's voice turned cold, dangerous. Shadows leaked from his feet, curling across the stone floor like living smoke. The elder immediately bowed her head. "My bloodline has carried shadow magic for centuries. The Moon Goddess has chosen her for me. Questioning this is questioning Her will."
Silence fell. No one dared challenge him further.
He turned back to Elena, his expression softening only for her. "You will stay here. Under my protection."
"I'm not some prize you claimed in the woods!" Elena snapped, anger overriding her fear. "I've survived alone for years. I don't need a possessive wolf telling me what to do."
Kaelan's lips curved into a dark, predatory smile. "You were barely surviving, little one. Running. Hiding. Starving." He stepped even closer until she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. "Here, you will be safe. Fed. Protected. And your curse will never hurt anyone again—because I will always be there to control it."
His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her lower lip. Elena's heart pounded traitorously. The mate bond hummed under her skin, pulling her toward him even as her mind screamed to run.
"And if I refuse?" she whispered.
His eyes darkened, shadows swirling in their depths. "I will never force the bond on you," he said quietly. "But I will never let you leave either. Not when the next full moon is only days away. You'll need me, Elena. Whether you admit it or not."
He leaned in, lips brushing her ear. "And deep down, you already feel it. You feel me."
A shiver raced down her spine. She hated that he was right.
Later that night, Elena was given a room high in the pack house—luxurious by her standards, with a soft bed and a window overlooking the dark forest. But the door was guarded.
She sat on the edge of the bed, hugging her knees. The moon was waxing, almost full. She could feel the shadows stirring inside her, restless.
A soft knock sounded. Before she could answer, Kaelan entered carrying a tray—steaming soup, fresh bread, roasted meat.
"You need to eat," he said simply, setting it on the bedside table.
"I'm not hungry."
"Your body says otherwise." He sat beside her, close enough that their thighs touched. "Eat, or I'll feed you myself."
Elena shot him a glare but picked up the spoon. The soup was rich and warm, soothing her empty stomach. She hadn't eaten properly in days.
They sat in tense silence until she finished half the bowl.
"Why does my curse calm around you?" she finally asked.
Kaelan leaned back, watching her with unreadable eyes. "My bloodline is cursed too. Long ago, our ancestors bargained with shadow spirits for power. The price was eternal hunger—the shadows always want more. Most of us learn to control it. I mastered it completely. That's why I'm Alpha."
He reached for her hand, turning it palm up. Shadows leaked from his fingertips, curling gently around hers like affectionate vines.
"Your curse isn't evil, Elena. It's just… lost. Searching for its match. And it found mine."
His shadows merged with the faint darkness under her skin, and for a moment, she felt whole. Safe.
But the fear returned quickly.
"What if it's not enough?" she whispered. "What if during the next full moon, even you can't stop it?"
Kaelan's grip tightened, possessive and protective at once.
"Then I'll take it into myself," he said fiercely. "I'll bear your curse with you. But I will not lose my mate."
Outside, the moon climbed higher, casting silver light through the window. Inside, two cursed souls sat side by side—bound by shadows, fate, and something neither was ready to name.
But the full moon was coming.
And with it, the true test of their bond.