Bound By The Moon: The Alpha's Forbidden Mate

Lyra POV

Taking each step deeper into an unfamiliar territory, I pushed through the tangled brush. The scent was wild, earthy, yet unmistakably different like a warning in the air, daring me to turn back. But it was too late. I'd wandered too far, misjudged the boundaries. The Moonshade Pack's land stretched out before me, and with it came the rumor of the one wolf no lone omega dared to cross.

Just as I stilled to catch my breath, a low growl rumbled from afar, its force prickling across my skin.

"You're trespassing." The voice was low, dark, and cut through the forest air like a knife.

I whirled around, my heart stalling as my gaze locked onto the form of a man; tall, broad, with eyes so intense they seemed to sear right into me. Alpha Kaelan. I felt his power and Authority before he stepped out to where I could see him.

"I didn't mean to," I stammered. "I... I lost track of the border."

"Convenient excuse." He didn't sound like he believed me for a second, his gaze unwavering. "And yet here you are, right in the heart of Moonshade territory."

The way he was scanning me made my breath shaky. "I only wanted to rest. I swear, I wasn't here to cause trouble."

"Trouble or not, you crossed into my land," he said, stepping closer, his expression as cold as stone. "Trespassers are not treated lightly, especially for a lone wolf."

His words made the hair on my neck stand. I was more alone than he could imagine and he sensed it. My instinct signaled for me to run from him as far as possible. But the moment I tried to step back, his eyes gleamed dangerously.

"What's your name?" he demanded, his voice as firm as his eyes.

"Lyra," I responded, the word stuck in my throat. His glare softened, just a split second, maybe he liked my name. But he quickly masked it, his expression hardened once more.

"Lyra," he repeated.Then he took another step forward, this time he was close enough that I felt the heat he emitted. "You're coming with me."

"I'm not your prisoner," I retorted, taking a step back, but he matched my pull backwards, closing the space between us in a single step.

"No? Then what are you?" His voice was laced with something I couldn't quite place, an edge of curiosity but mixed with the control of someone who was used to getting his way. "A lost little omega in my land?"

I wrapped my hand to fist, resisting the urge to fire back. "I never wanted to be here. I don't want anything to do with your pack."

"And yet,here you are." He tilted his head, studying me. "If you didn't want trouble, Lyra, you wouldn't have wandered so deep into my territory."

His eyes were so intense, but I felt a pull, a connection somehow between us that was more than just hostility. Maybe he felt it too. His eyes grew softer for a second before he shook his head, seemingly to ward off an idea.

"You're coming with me" he declared, leaving no room for debate. "I must know why my wolf's reacting to you."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Your wolf...?"

"Don't you feel it, too?" He challenged me to deny it as his eyes locked with mine. You don't feel this, pull between us?

The words caught in my throat as I opened my mouth. The truth was indisputable, even though I wanted to deny it and insist it was all in his head. I sensed a thread that seemed to have been woven between us.

I muttered, "It doesn't matter how I feel," attempting to match his gaze. "I'm not staying here".

He scoffed, his expression hardening. "Who says you have a choice?"

I took a step back, but he stretched out his hand and grabbed my wrist in a firm manner. "You're not running, Lyra. Not until I know why you're here."

I had to suppress a gasp as his touch sent a hot, electric spark through me. His hold became tighter when I attempted to wrench my hand away.

"Let go of me," I spoke in a harsh tone.

"Why should I?" His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer. "Don't you sense that bond? Well, I cannot ignore this.

"Bond?" I tried not to tremble as I spoke. "You're not even someone I know."

"That's the problem," he murmured, his voice was almost like a growl.

Dhould I yell at him to let go of me? but the way he stared at me made me dumbfounded, like he was seeing through my soul. I hated him already.

"Why are you doing this?" I demanded, my voice was inconsistent.

He seemed to consider my question, furrowing his eyes he responded . "Because my wolf doesn't want me to let you go. And I'm not the kind of man who ignores instincts."

I swallowed hard. "So what now? Are you just going to keep me here?"

"For now, yes." His tone left no room for debate. "Until I figure out what this is between us, you're not leaving."

I glared at him, defiance sparking within me. "I don't belong to you. I'm not some toy you can keep around just because you're curious."

He smirked, loosening his gaze a bit. "Who said anything about you being a toy, Lyra? This is something else entirely."

I stared at him, my heart pounding as his words settled over me. Despite everything, there was something in his gaze, a heat that was impossible to ignore. The Alpha was attracted to me, and that thought alone was enough to send a rush of panic through me.

"Whatever this is, it's not proper," I calmly said this time while trying to pull his grip on my hand again. "Let me go. I don't want this."

He held firm, his expression unyielding. "I don't care what you want. I'm only concerned about what this thing between us is. And until we figure that out, you're staying."

"I won't be a prisoner," I snapped, my voice rising.

"Then stop fighting me." He released my hand abruptly, and I stumbled back, caught off guard. "Stay willingly. Stay until we understand... this."

At this moment, he looked almost vulnerable.But then he straightened his face again.

"Stay, Lyra," speaking calmly, the words a low command. "I can't let you leave. Not yet."

My resolve fluttered, taking a step back and his eyes were not leaving me, though I wanted to run but a part of me wanted to stay.

"Fine," I said, giving in after much struggle. "But only until you figure out why you feel this... this bond. Then I'm gone."

The corner of his mouth tugged slightly with a smirk, and he leaned slightly forward. "We'll see how that goes."

Then he turned and started walking, giving me room to catch up with him. When we got to his pack, he kept me in a cabin and summoned the pack elder.