THE FORBIDDEN BOND

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the dense forest. A soft breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and earth. It was the perfect night for a hunt. But tonight, the hunt was not what Xavier, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, sought. Xavier stood at the edge of the clearing, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The pack members were scattered around the camp, preparing for the full moon that would rise within hours. His wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, the pull of the moon’s power always a reminder of his duties. Yet, his thoughts were far from the pack. For weeks, his dreams had been haunted by a pair of hauntingly familiar eyes—eyes that didn’t belong to a wolf. They belonged to a human. Raine. The human woman had wandered too far into the territory of the Nightshade pack. She was a stranger—unimportant. But there was something in her gaze, something that sent a jolt through Xavier’s chest. He’d felt it the moment their eyes locked. A bond. A connection. A pull stronger than the one to his pack. Xavier had fought it, but deep down, he knew the truth. The ancient laws of the werewolves were clear: humans and werewolves do not mix. Such bonds were cursed, bringing destruction and war. Xavier knew better than anyone the cost of breaking the rules. And yet, as the moon rose higher, casting its light upon the world below, Xavier could no longer ignore the way his heart raced every time he thought of Raine. It was a dangerous path to walk, but he had already taken the first step.