The truck rattled up the mountain road, leaving Crescent Falls behind. Maya gripped the door handle, trying to process everything that had happened in the last hour. Her peaceful morning routine had turned into a supernatural nightmare, complete with shapeshifting and murder.
Kai drove in tense silence, eyes constantly checking the mirrors. Blood still stained his shirt from the fight. He hadn't bothered to clean up, just threw on clothes and ran. Now Maya sat next to a man who'd killed three wolves with his bare hands—or teeth, technically—and she couldn't decide if she should be terrified or grateful.
Probably both.
"So," Maya said, because silence was worse than awkward conversation. "Werewolves are real."
"Yes."
"How many?"
"In North America? About fifteen thousand, divided into packs across the continent." Kai took a sharp turn, making Maya grab the dashboard. "Globally, maybe fifty thousand. We've lived hidden among humans for centuries."
"And nobody knows?"
"Some humans know. Government officials, certain military branches, people who've married into packs." Kai's jaw tightened. "But we keep it contained. Exposure would mean war, and neither side would win that."
Maya tried to wrap her mind around the logistics. "How is that even possible? Fifteen thousand people keeping a secret that big?"
"Pack law. We police ourselves ruthlessly. Anyone who risks exposure is dealt with permanently." Kai glanced at her. "That's why you're in danger. You witnessed a transformation. Under normal circumstances, you'd either be brought into the pack or..."
"Or killed," Maya finished.
"The council would call it memory alteration through magic, but yeah. Essentially."
"Great." Maya slumped in her seat. "So my choices are to join a werewolf pack or die. This is the best Monday ever."
"There's a third option." Kai's voice was carefully neutral. "If the council determines you're no threat, they might let you live with supervised distance. Check-ins, restrictions, basically parole for witnessing something you shouldn't have."
"That sounds awful."
"It is."
The truck climbed higher into the mountains. Dense forest pressed in on both sides, the kind of wilderness that could swallow a person whole. Maya had always loved nature, found peace in the company of animals. Now she wondered what else lived in these woods that she'd dismissed as myth.
"The wolves that attacked," Maya said. "You called them rogues. What does that mean?"
Kai's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Werewolves without packs. Some are exiled for breaking laws. Others choose to leave, thinking they don't need structure. Without a pack, they deteriorate—mentally, emotionally. They become violent and unstable."
"What happens to them?"
"We hunt them down before they hurt humans or expose our existence." Kai's tone was matter-of-fact, like he was discussing pest control. "It's not personal. It's survival."
Maya studied his profile—strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, eyes that held centuries of instinct despite his young appearance. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-nine. Why?"
"You talk like you've been doing this forever."
"I've been Alpha of Silvermoon Pack for five years. It ages you fast."
"Alpha," Maya repeated. "Like the leader?"
"Yes." Kai took another turn, this one leading onto an unmarked dirt road. "Alphas are born, not made. We're stronger, faster, harder to kill. We can command other wolves through force of will, and our word is law within pack territory."
"Sounds lonely."
Kai shot her a sharp look. "What makes you say that?"
"You said your word is law. That means nobody argues with you, nobody challenges you. You make all the decisions, carry all the responsibility." Maya shrugged. "That's a lonely way to live."
For a long moment, Kai said nothing. Then, quietly: "You're more perceptive than most."
"I work with animals. You learn to read body language and behavior." Maya watched the trees blur past. "Also, I know what it's like to carry everything alone. I moved here to start over, get away from a family that never understood me. Built my clinic from nothing, worked every day for six months straight. It's exhausting being the only one responsible for your own survival."
"Why leave your family?"
Maya laughed bitterly. "Because I was suffocating. My parents are both doctors—a cardiac surgeon and a neurosurgeon. My brother's a lawyer. Everyone expected me to follow some prestigious path, and when I chose veterinary medicine, they acted like I'd personally disappointed them. 'It's fine if you want to play with animals, Maya, but what about your potential?'" She mimicked her mother's voice. "I needed space to figure out who I am when nobody's telling me who I should be."
"And did you? Figure it out?"
"I was getting there." Maya gestured at the wilderness surrounding them. "Then werewolves happened."
Kai's mouth twitched. "Sorry about that."
"Are you, though?"
He considered the question. "No. I'm sorry you're in danger, but I'm not sorry you know. You saved my life without question, and that matters. Whatever happens, I won't let harm come to you."
The conviction in his voice sent an unexpected warmth through Maya's chest. She barely knew this man—this werewolf—but something about him felt solid, trustworthy. Maybe it was the fact that he'd had multiple chances to hurt her and hadn't. Maybe it was the way he'd protected her without hesitation.
Or maybe she was experiencing Stockholm syndrome. Hard to tell.
The dirt road opened into a clearing, and Maya's breath caught.
A massive compound spread before them—dozens of buildings arranged in a semicircle around a central lodge. The architecture blended rustic cabins with modern structures, creating something that looked like an upscale mountain resort. People moved between buildings, some in human form, others as wolves. Children played in a fenced yard while adults worked in gardens or carried supplies.
It looked like a community. A hidden society thriving in the middle of nowhere.
"Welcome to Silvermoon territory," Kai said.
Maya stared. "This is... not what I expected."
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know. Caves? Tents?" She watched a wolf chase a frisbee thrown by a laughing teenager. "Not suburban housing and playgrounds."
"We're not savages, Maya. We just have fur sometimes."
People noticed the truck approaching. Wolves shifted to human form—a process that still made Maya's brain short-circuit—and gathered near the main lodge. By the time Kai parked, a crowd had formed.
"Stay close," Kai murmured. "Let me do the talking."
They climbed out of the truck. Maya felt dozens of eyes lock onto her, studying her with curiosity and suspicion. She fought the urge to hide behind Kai, straightening her spine instead. If these were predators, showing fear was probably the worst thing she could do.
An older man stepped forward. He was tall like Kai but with silver-streaked hair and eyes that held decades of wisdom. He wore jeans and a flannel shirt, looking more like a kindly grandfather than a supernatural creature.
"Kai," the man said. "You brought a human to pack lands."
"I had no choice, Marcus." Kai's voice carried authority that made several wolves lower their eyes. "She saved my life, and rogues witnessed it. She's under my protection."
Marcus studied Maya with unsettling intensity. She met his gaze, refusing to look away. After a long moment, the older man's lips curved into a slight smile.
"What's your name, human?"
"Maya Rivers." Her voice came out steadier than she felt. "And before you ask, I didn't know werewolves existed until two hours ago, I'm not planning to expose anyone, and I'd really appreciate not being killed for accidentally witnessing something I had no way of knowing I shouldn't see."
Several wolves made sounds that might have been laughter. Marcus's smile widened.
"She's got spirit," he said to Kai. "I like her."
"She needs to stay here until we resolve the rogue situation," Kai said. "They know she helped me. If they find her unprotected—"
"They'll kill her," Marcus finished. "Or worse, try to use her against you. Yes, I understand." His gaze returned to Maya. "Do you understand what you're stepping into, Ms. Rivers?"
"Not really," Maya admitted. "But apparently my choices are stay here or die, so I'm going with option A."
"Honest. I appreciate that." Marcus gestured to the crowd. "This is Silvermoon Pack. We're not your enemy, but we're not your friends either. You're here because our Alpha has claimed protection over you, which means harming you would challenge his authority. But that protection comes with rules."
Maya nodded. "I'm listening."
"You don't leave pack lands without permission. You don't speak of what you see here to anyone outside. You follow pack law while you're here, which means respecting our hierarchy and traditions." Marcus's tone was firm but not unkind. "Break these rules, and protection or not, there will be consequences. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Good." Marcus looked at Kai. "The council will want to meet her. Tonight."
Kai's jaw tightened. "That's fast."
"You brought a human to our territory, Kai. They have questions." Marcus's expression softened slightly. "It'll be fine. Just prepare her."
"For what?" Maya asked.
Both men looked at her, and Maya didn't like what she saw in their eyes.
"For what?" she repeated.
Kai took her arm gently. "Come on. I'll show you where you'll be staying."
He led her away from the crowd, toward a small cabin on the edge of the compound. Maya could feel eyes following them, whispers spreading through the gathered wolves. She'd just become the most interesting thing to happen here in a while, and not in a good way.
The cabin was simple but comfortable—one main room with a kitchenette, a bedroom through a doorway, bathroom tucked in the corner. Someone had clearly prepared it recently, because fresh towels sat on the bed and the fridge was stocked.
"You'll be safe here," Kai said. "The cabin's warded—protected by magic. Nothing can get in without permission."
"Magic." Maya sat on the bed, suddenly exhausted. "Of course, magic is real too. Why not?"
Kai leaned against the doorframe, watching her with an expression she couldn't read. "I know this is overwhelming."
"That's an understatement."
"The council meeting tonight—they're going to ask you questions. About how much you know, what you saw, whether you're a threat." Kai paused. "Some of them will want you dead. Others will push for memory alteration. My father—Marcus—he'll advocate for letting you live freely, but he's only one voice."
"What do you want?" Maya met his eyes.
"I want you safe."
"That's not what I asked."
Kai was quiet for a long moment. "I want you to be able to make your own choice. But that might not be possible."
Maya laughed without humor. "Story of my life."
"There's something else." Kai straightened, tension radiating from him. "Marcus noticed something about you. Something I missed because I was focused on the rogue threat."
"What?"
"He thinks you might have a dormant Luna bloodline."
Maya blinked. "I have no idea what that means."
"Luna bloodline means your ancestors included werewolves. Somewhere in your family tree, a wolf mated with a human, and that genetic trait passed down through generations." Kai ran a hand through his hair. "It's rare, but it happens. Most carriers never know because the gene stays dormant their whole lives."
"But?"
"But proximity to werewolves—especially to an Alpha—can trigger awakening. Your body starts changing to match what your DNA remembers." Kai's expression was serious. "If Marcus is right, you're not entirely human, Maya. You're something in between."
Maya's mind raced. "Is that good or bad?"
"For you? Potentially life-changing. Your strength, speed, and senses—all of that would increase. You might even eventually shift into wolf form, though that's not guaranteed."
"And for them? The council?"
"It changes everything." Kai met her gaze. "A human with Luna bloodline isn't just a witness to protect. You'd be someone who could potentially become a pack. Someone who might belong here."
The weight of that statement settled over Maya like a blanket. Belonging. She'd spent her whole life feeling like she didn't quite fit anywhere, and now a stranger was suggesting she might belong in a world she didn't know existed until this morning.
"How do we know if he's right?" Maya asked.
"We test you. Blood work, physical examination, and checking for specific markers." Kai pushed off from the doorframe. "Dr. Sarah Chen is our pack healer. She'll do the tests before the council meeting."
"And if I don't have this bloodline thing?"
"Then we fight like hell to keep you alive anyway."
Maya studied him—this dangerous, powerful Alpha who'd crashed into her life and turned it upside down. "Why do you care? You don't know me."
"You saved my life," Kai said simply. "That means something in my world. It means everything."
Before Maya could respond, someone knocked on the cabin door.
Kai tensed, hand moving to his side where Maya noticed a knife sheathed. "Who is it?"
"Sarah Chen. Marcus sent me."
Kai relaxed and opened the door. A petite Asian woman in her forties stepped inside, carrying a medical bag. She had kind eyes and moved with confident efficiency that reminded Maya of herself at work.
"You must be Maya," Dr. Chen said. "I hear we need to do some tests."
"Apparently I might be part werewolf," Maya said. "Which is a sentence I never thought I'd say."
Dr. Chen smiled. "You're handling this remarkably well."
"I'm good at compartmentalizing."
"Useful skill." Dr. Chen set her bag on the table. "This won't take long. Basic blood draw, physical examination, and reflex tests. Nothing invasive."
Kai moved toward the door. "I'll give you privacy."
"Stay," Maya said quickly. When both Kai and Dr. Chen looked at her in surprise, she added, "Please. You're the only familiar thing in this place."
Something flickered in Kai's expression—surprise, maybe gratitude. He nodded and settled into a chair by the window, far enough to give them space but close enough that Maya could see him.
Dr. Chen worked efficiently, asking questions while she drew blood and performed examinations. "Any unusual abilities? Exceptional hearing, smell, and strength?"
"I've always been good with animals," Maya said. "But I'm a vet, so that's kind of the job."
"Good with animals how?"
Maya considered. "They trust me quickly. Even aggressive or scared animals usually calm down around me. I thought it was just practice and patience, but now I'm wondering..."
"Hmm." Dr. Chen made notes. "Any vivid dreams? Feeling like you're seeing through different eyes?"
Maya froze. "Actually, yes. For the past few months, I've had these dreams where I'm running through forests. Everything smells sharper, sounds clearer. I can feel the earth under my paws—" She stopped. "Oh, God."
Dr. Chen squeezed her shoulder gently. "It's okay. That's actually a good sign. Your subconscious has been preparing you."
"Preparing me for what?"
"For what you're becoming."
The blood tests took thirty minutes to process using equipment Maya hadn't seen before—probably supernatural technology she didn't want to understand. When Dr. Chen returned with the results, her expression was unreadable.
"Well?" Kai asked.
"Marcus was right." Dr. Chen showed them printouts covered in genetic markers that meant nothing to Maya. "You carry a dormant Luna bloodline, Maya. Roughly three generations back, I'd estimate. One of your great-grandparents was likely a werewolf who married a human."
Maya's world tilted again. "How is that possible? Someone in my family would have known."
"Not necessarily. If the wolf parent never told their human spouse, the secret could have died with them." Dr. Chen set down the papers. "But the genetics don't lie. You're a carrier."
"What does that mean for the council meeting?" Maya asked.
"It means they can't kill you," Kai said, relief evident in his voice. "Someone with a Luna bloodline has the potential to become a pack. They'll have to give you a chance."
"But there's a complication," Dr. Chen added. "The bloodline is awakening, probably triggered by your proximity to Kai. Your body is already starting to change."
Maya looked down at her hands, half-expecting to see claws. "Change how?"
"Your senses will sharpen first. Then increased strength, speed, and healing. Eventually, if the awakening completes, you'll be able to shift into wolf form." Dr. Chen's tone was gentle. "It's going to be intense, Maya. Your body is remembering something it was always meant to be."
"How long does it take?"
"Weeks, maybe months. It varies." Dr. Chen packed her equipment. "I'll monitor you closely. Kai, she needs to stay near you during this process. Your Alpha presence will help stabilize her awakening."
"She'll stay in pack lands," Kai said. "Under my protection."
"No." Dr. Chen met his eyes. "I mean stay near you, Kai. Physically close. The awakening can be dangerous if not properly guided, and you're the catalyst that started it. Your presence will help her body understand what it's becoming."
Kai's jaw tightened. "Sarah—"
"It's not optional. Unless you want her to suffer through unpredictable shifts and possible rejection sickness, she needs to be around you." Dr. Chen looked at Maya. "Is that going to be a problem?"
Maya thought about everything that had happened today. "At this point, what's one more impossible thing?"
Dr. Chen smiled. "You're going to do fine here, Maya. I can tell." She headed for the door, then paused. "The council meets at sundown. Dress comfortably, speak honestly, and don't show fear. Wolves respect strength."
After she left, silence filled the cabin. Maya processed everything she'd learned, trying to organize it into something that made sense. Her great-grandparent was a werewolf. She was part supernatural. Her body was changing into something not quite human.
"Hey," Kai said softly. "You okay?"
"No," Maya said honestly. "But I will be. I survived leaving my family, starting over alone, and building a business from nothing. I can survive this too."
"You're remarkable, you know that?"
Maya looked up at him. "You barely know me."
"I know you saved a dangerous predator without hesitation. I know you're handling impossible revelations with grace most people wouldn't manage. I know you're strong." Kai's silver eyes held hers. "That's enough."
Something warm unfurled in Maya's chest—a feeling she didn't want to examine too closely. This man was dangerous, powerful, from a world she didn't understand. Getting attached would be stupid.
But when he looked at her like that, stupid seemed acceptable.
"The council meeting," Maya said, changing the subject before she did something ridiculous. "What should I expect?"
"Questions, challenges, tests of your character." Kai stood, moving to the window. "Some council members will see you as a threat. Others as an opportunity. A few might see you as prey."
"Great."
"I won't let anyone hurt you," Kai said with absolute certainty. "You're under my protection, which means challenging you means challenging me. Most won't risk it."
"Most?"
"There are some who question my leadership. Who thinks I'm weak for various reasons." Kai's expression darkened. "They might see you as the perfect opportunity to undermine my authority."
Maya joined him at the window, looking out at the compound where wolves moved in human and animal form. "What happens if they succeed?"
"They won't."
"But if they do?"
Kai finally looked at her, and Maya saw something fierce in his eyes. "Then I fight. And I don't lose."
The absolute conviction in his voice should have scared her. Instead, it made her feel safer than she had in months. This Alpha would protect her, she realized. Not because he had to, but because he'd decided she was worth protecting.
And somehow, that mattered more than anything else.
"Thank you," Maya said quietly.
"For what?"
"For not letting me die today."
Kai's expression softened. "Thank you for saving my life last night. We're even."
"Are we?"
"No," Kai admitted. "But we're getting there."
They stood at the window in comfortable silence, watching the pack go about their day. Maya knew that tonight would determine her fate—whether she'd live