Pain.
That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes.
My body ached all over. My head felt heavy, and every breath burned in my chest.
For a moment, I didn't know where I was.
The world looked blurry — tall trees, morning light breaking through the leaves, and a cold breeze brushing my skin.
I tried to sit up, but my muscles screamed in protest. My legs were weak, and my hands shook as I pushed myself up.
The forest was quiet now. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still wet. Birds were singing somewhere far away — like the world had already moved on from my pain.
Then I remembered.
The fire.
My parents.
The banishment.
My throat closed up. Tears filled my eyes again, but I forced myself to breathe.
"You can't cry now," I whispered. "You have to stay alive."
I looked around. I didn't know how far I had run. The trees were unfamiliar — taller, darker, older. I realized I must have crossed the border into another pack's land.
Fear ran through me. If any patrol wolves found me here, they could kill me for trespassing.
But I had no strength left to run. My body was too weak — my wolf still silent inside me.
My stomach growled. I hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. My lips were dry, and my hands were freezing.
I tried to stand. My legs trembled, but I managed to take a few steps before I fell again, hitting the ground hard.
A sound came from behind me — the snap of a branch.
I froze.
My heart began to race.
Something — or someone — was near.
I tried to run, but then I realized my legs were hurt badly, so I couldn't move fast.
The sound came closer — heavy footsteps. Strong. Confident.
Then a voice, deep and calm, spoke from the shadows.
"Who are you?"
I turned slowly, my breath caught in my throat.
A tall man stepped out from behind the trees. He was dressed in dark clothes, his black hair damp from the morning mist. His eyes — golden, sharp — looked straight at me like they could see through my soul.
An Alpha.
I could feel his power in the air around him. It made my knees shake.
He walked closer, his steps steady and sure.
"You're on Blood Moon territory," he said. "And you smell like Silver Claw."
My heart skipped. The Blood Moon Pack was one of the strongest packs in the north — fierce, proud, and dangerous. Their Alpha was said to have no mercy for strangers. He was arrogant, and rumors said he never slept with a girl twice.
"I…" My voice cracked. "I didn't mean to trespass. I was just—"
"Running?" he interrupted, his tone sharp. "From what?"
I swallowed hard. "I was banished," I whispered, trying to hide my tears. "I didn't have anywhere else to go."
His eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms.
"Banishment," he said slowly, as if testing the word. "Why?"
I looked away. "They said I killed my parents. But I didn't. I swear I didn't."
For a moment, he said nothing. The wind blew softly, carrying the scent of pine and smoke. Then he stepped closer, his boots sinking slightly in the wet earth.
His voice dropped lower — colder. "What's your name?"
I hesitated. A part of me wanted to lie. But something about his eyes made me speak the truth.
"My name is Aria," I said quietly. "Aria Moon."
The world went still.
His golden eyes changed — the calm in them vanished, replaced by something dark and dangerous, like he instantly hated the name.
"Moon?" he repeated, his voice suddenly hard. "As in the daughter of Alpha Kian and Luna Helena?"
My heart started pounding again. "You… you knew them?"
He didn't answer. His jaw tightened. He looked like he was fighting something inside him.
Then he turned away, muttering something under his breath. "Of all the people to find…"
I didn't understand. "Please," I said softly, "I'm not your enemy. I just need a place to rest. I can leave once I'm better."
He turned back to me. His eyes were colder than ice.
"You should have never come here, Aria Moon."
I stepped back, fear filling my chest. "Please… I didn't have a choice."
He stared at me for a long moment. Then, to my surprise, he sighed and took off his jacket, tossing it toward me.
"Put it on before you freeze to death," he said.
I caught the jacket with trembling hands. The warmth of it surprised me.
He turned and motioned for me to follow. "You're lucky I found you before the patrol did. Come."
I hesitated. "Where are we going?"
"To the Blood Moon Pack House," he said simply. "You'll explain everything there. And you'll be my prisoner, little wolf."
I wanted to ask more — I was confused — but I didn't. My legs were shaking too much to argue. At least being a prisoner to some random Alpha was better than dying here. So I followed him quietly, my head low, my body aching.
We approached the pack house — a large stone mansion surrounded by high walls. The Blood Moon Pack House. It looked powerful, strong, and silent.
Two guards stood at the gate. When they saw him, they bowed their heads.
"Alpha Jason," one said.
So this was him.
Jason Black — the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. The man everyone feared.
He didn't even look at them as we walked past. His voice was calm but cold.
"Prepare a room. She's injured. Treat her well. She will be my new prisoner."
They looked shocked but didn't question him.
Inside, the house smelled of pinewood and fire. The warmth hit my skin, and for a moment, I almost felt safe.
But then Jason turned to me. His eyes met mine again — sharp, unreadable.
"You'll rest," he said.
I nodded quietly. "Thank you," I whispered.
He didn't reply. He just turned and walked away. I could feel he already hated me. How could a man I just met hate me so much for no reason?
A young woman came and led me to a small room. The bed was soft, the walls gray stone. I sat down, my hands still trembling.
I didn't know why he had helped me. He looked like a man who didn't trust anyone. But still, he saved me.
Maybe… maybe the Moon Goddess hadn't completely given up on me.
I lay down, closing my eyes for just a second. Sleep came fast, pulling me into darkness.
But in that darkness, I heard something — a voice. Deep, angry, familiar.
It was Jason's voice, coming from the next room.
"She's the daughter of Kian Moon," he said. "The man who killed my brother, my parents — and tortured me. The man who made my life hell."
My eyes flew open.
Cold fear filled my chest.
The man who had just saved my life…
was the Alpha who hated my blood the most.