The MoonBound

r the pack grounds. The night felt different now, heavier, as if the weight of wh

tep she took felt like it was leading her closer to

now, more than ever, she found herself questioning everyth

Kael even knew how to let someone in, if he even wanted to. But

e, some wound from his past that had s

Not when the bond, that inexplicable force that ti

r breath would catch, and her thoughts would scatter. The pu

s, Leora couldn't deny the chemistry bet

she would f

of her time in her cabin or out in the forest,

full, and it was a time for the pack to gather, to reaffirm their unity. It was also a

mind kept returning to Kael. She had never fel

s something about him-something that made her feel s

ic, and unshakable. How could someone like

as she approached the clearing, and she paused for

re, the warm glow illuminating their faces.

ng attention without him needing to speak. His presence alone mad

nvoluntary step forward. The moment she did, she felt it-a puls

d her body seemed to respond to his

eo

s gaze locked with hers across the clearing. He di

is eyes softened just the slightest bit when they met

ward him, as if her body were acting of its own accord. T

t around the fire, Kael's gaze followe

l was the only one who held her attention. His presence filled th

r voice steady but he

low, commanding. "I'm g

rect-sent a shiver down her spine. She hadn't expected him to be s

ut or give any sign of vulnerability. It was

ould feel the bond between them like a humming current beneath her skin. Why couldn't I be like

a loose circle, and Leora found herself sitting besid

e. But still, he remained distant, as if they were two separate entiti

cing wildly in the cool night air, but Leora

c charge that shot through her. She wanted to say something, to ask him what was happening betwe

back to the present. He sat on the other side of

oth here. I wasn't sure if you'd make it after all that 'bonding' tal

ael remained silent, his eyes fixed ahead. But she could

omething that could be dismissed with a smile. It was real

cool. "Let's focus on the matter at hand.

l's tone. His attention was fully on the pack now,

s, something that made her wonder just

dn't focus. Her mind kept wandering back to Kael, to the

e of that cold exterior, she could

ra found herself lost in thought. She was surrounded by her pack, by the people she c

t beat in time with her heart. And no matter how much s

was stronger than anyt

ld it b

ver be enou

as still uncertain. But one thing was clear: no matter where the