XANDER

"Fuck."

I cursed under my breath as I tore through the heart of Mystic Forest in my wolf form, paws thudding against damp earth.

Full moon nights.

They'd always been the bane of my existence.

Nothing good ever came from them as long as I was concerned. Never had, never would.

Somehow, every damn time, they found a way to drag me into the messiest situations imaginable.

And tonight was no exception.

I, the Alpha of Crescent Ridge, was being forced to flee my own pack's territory-midway through a moon run, no less.

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

But to understand how I ended up here, we'd have to go back a few minutes earlier.

-

Tonight, as usual, I'd been leading the newly wolfed-out pups on their first run under the full moon, in the western fringes of Mystic Forest.

Everything had been going smoothly until word reached me-through the mind link-that a pup from the neighboring pack had strayed into our land.

It wasn't unheard of.

Young, newly shifted wolves were curious, reckless little things. They were drawn to anything that moved, glowed, or smelled unfamiliar.

They chased scents and shadows through the forest without a shred of thought for borders or consequences.

And every now and then, those reckless little paws would find cracks and forgotten trails, slipping unnoticed into another territory through hidden paths.

The Mystic Forest stretched vast and deep, but it was clearly divided between two packs: Crescent Ridge-mine-ruled the western half, and the Night Howlers controlled the east.

Only the forest's heart-a dense, perilous expanse of fog and poisonous miasma-remained a neutral zone, serving as the natural boundary between us.

For generations, both packs had respected that invisible line. Crossing it without permission meant one thing: provocation.

And provocation demanded blood.

However, there was always an exception to every law.

That held true in this case as well when mercy would be granted if the trespasser was a pup.

Even then, a steep compensation followed, meant to remind and deter everyone that accidents, no matter how harmless, carried a cost.

So when the border guards reported the stray, I handed the young wolves over to my Beta, Jaxon Thorne, and went to handle the matter myself.

"Let me take care of it," Jaxon had said, his voice tight with concern.

He was one of the few who knew about my condition-how, unlike other werewolves, full moons didn't empower me. They weakened me instead.

And worse, they stirred the curse in my blood.

But I'd brushed him off. "I'm the Alpha. Unless I'm dead or tied up with other matters, dealing with intruders is my responsibility."

I'd sounded confident. Too confident.

And for a good reason.

The curse had specific conditions for awakening, and that was if I bled beneath the full moon, and I was sure I wouldn't.

It should've been a routine matter.

Simple. Effortless.

Except it wasn't.

The so-called 'pup' turned out to be a fully grown wolf-stunted in size, but deadly fast-lying in wait.

Because the full moon has dulled my instincts-and I also hadn't bothered to guard against it-I didn't sense the ambush until its claws, coated with wolfsbane, tore into my left arm.

The poison from the wolfsbane was no problem because my blood was immune to it, perhaps because of the darker magic already running within me.

But that didn't matter.

Because I was bleeding.

The cold realization sliced through me as I jerked my gaze toward the silver disk above.

The curse was awakening.

Within half an hour-maybe less-I'd shrink into a helpless pup-sized form, stripped of all strength and power.

Reduced to prey.

-

No. I couldn't let that happen.

Not under the watch of my pack members-and especially not in the presence of an enemy.

I could already imagine the chaos that would follow if anyone saw such a bizarre thing happen.

The fallout. The questions.

It would be chaos all over, both internally and externally.

And worse, I still didn't know who had sent that assassin wolf-or what their motive was.

Had this ambush been deliberate? Has they learnt of my curse?

Was the assassination a test? To confirm their suspicions?

A thousand questions flashed through my mind in the span of a minute.

But all of them boiled down to one conclusion-I couldn't stay here any longer.

With time running out, I lunged at the assassin wolf in one swift move, knocked it unconscious and then sent a mind link to Jaxon.

'The curse struck. The stray was a trap. I've disabled the attacker. Put him in a cell and watch him until I return. I'll be back by dawn.'

I cut the connection before he could respond.

Then I sent another message, calm and authoritative, to the guards.

'I have urgent business to attend to. Beta Jaxon will arrive shortly to take the intruder. Hand him over when he comes.'

"Understood, Alpha," came their solemn reply.

After making these arrangements, I allowed myself a breath of relief.

Then, without another word, I turned and slipped deeper into the forest-urgency burning in my veins.

Along the fringes of the heart of the forest, I had a cabin-a hidden refuge for nights like this.

But I never made it that far.

The first wave of pain hit first-a deep, bone-twisting agony that dropped me to the ground.

A strangled sound tore from my throat as my body convulsed.

Then came the sharp crack of shifting bones, the sickening pop and grind of muscle and tendon rearranging.

Pain was an understatement, distortion a more apt description.

A grotesque reshaping.

My vision blurred, appearing white-hot, the forest spinning as I clenched my jaw shut, refusing to howl.

I couldn't afford to be found.

I lost track of how long had passed.

Minutes? Hours?

I couldn't tell.

Then, slowly, the pain receded, leaving only the lasting agony of it humming in my bones.

My breath came shallow and uneven.

Sweat matted my fur.

I didn't need to look to know what I'd become.

A glance downward confirmed it anyway.

Small, fur ruffled, paws too tiny to belong to an Alpha.

The curse had run its course.

My ears twitched suddenly.

Someone-or something-was coming.

I sniffed weakly, trying to catch a scent, but my senses yielded nothing beyond the smell of blood and earth.

Whether it was because the newcomer was still far away, or because my senses were dulled by the curse, I couldn't tell.

But it didn't matter who, or what it was.

Either way, I couldn't be seen like this-not when my black fur and blue eyes were unique to my lineage.

Even if they didn't recognize me immediately, doubt would take root. And doubt, once planted, had a way of growing wild.

My eyes hardened with resolve.

I had only one option left.

Taking a desperate gamble.

With what little strength I had left, I stood up and turned toward the ominous looking fog expanse.

Then without giving myself a chance to rethink, I bolted straight into the mist.

My life or death, I'll leave it up to the universe to decide.

KATHARINA

I crouched before the pitiful little creature, my lips curved in a smile that never reached my eyes.

"What a distressing situation you've found yourself in, little thing," I murmured. "But do tell me... how did you manage to slip past the poisonous miasma outside, and my enchantments on top of that?"

My tone was gentle. Soft.

Deceptively so.

As I spoke, I sent out a subtle probe of magic, sweeping through its tiny body-searching for shifter energy, hidden spells, anything unusual.

Nothing.

Just an ordinary wild pup, or so it wanted me to believe.

The thought flashed through my mind, sharpening my wariness rather than easing it.

Not only had it bypassed my barriers, its blood also carried an unmistakable lure-one potent enough to stir my dormant hunger.

I'd drunk animal blood before which I found far less repulsive than the human blood my vampiric half clearly preferred.

Yet never-not once-had the scent of their blood stirred such a response in me.

Two peculiarities appearing on the same creature?

No.

I didn't believe in coincidences.

But seemingly not understanding my questions, the pup merely whimpered, peering up at me with striking blue eyes-too clear, too innocent.

Anyone else might have softened. But my heart was made of stone.

Still, I couldn't leave it bleeding out on my doorstep. Not until I figured out the mysteries surrounding it.

That thought had barely formed when I felt something warm brush against my hand, still resting over my knee.

I froze, then snapped out of my thoughts and looked down.

The tiny creature was nuzzling my hand, rubbing against it hesitantly.

For a moment, my mind went blank. When I finally reacted, I stood abruptly, retreating several steps backward while staring at the pup with an unreadable expression.

How long had it been since I felt another's warmth on my skin?

Too long. So long I'd nearly forgotten what it felt like.

At least not since I sealed myself inside this self-imposed cage a century ago, refusing to leave until I found a cure for my immortality.

My fingertips trembled.

Yet somehow, a creature had found itself in, as though sent to remind me of the world beyond these walls-to tempt me. To lure me out. To make me forget why I locked myself away... and accept the curse of living an endless, hollow life.

At the thought, murderous intent rose in my chest like a blade unsheathed.

I'd grown used to the deathly silence around me. Comfortable in it.

So how dare an unrelated stray intrude and try to make me waver?

A sudden premonition struck-sharp enough to steal my breath. A warning from the universe itself.

This creature's appearance would bring change.

Earthshaking changes.

And a witch's premonition was never to be dismissed.

My eyes hardened.

No. It had to die.

As long as it died, whatever fate it carried, good or bad, would die with it.

I lifted my hand-the same hand it had nuzzled moments before-and a death spell gathered on my lips...

But then I caught its gaze.

Wide, innocent.

And seemingly as startled by its own behavior as I was.

My hand stilled.

Then, a bitter laugh tore from my throat-sharp, derisive, laced with self-mockery.

I had lived for nearly a thousand years and considered myself neither righteous nor kind. But I had always upheld one bottomline: I did not strike the innocent and defenseless.

And yet I had nearly done so just now.

Over a premonition. Over an unproven fear.

What did that make me, compared to the people who once branded me an abomination for being a hybrid-condemning me based on nothing but their own unfounded beliefs and prejudice?

I had always thought myself clear-minded. Perfectly so.

Now I wasn't sure.

I remained still for a long moment. When I finally moved, the spell on my lips shifted, into one of healing.

A mist of silver and green drifted from my palm to envelope the pup, mending its wounds in silence.

As the magic faded, I lowered my hand.

"I don't care how you got here," I stared at it and said with cool indifference. "But count yourself lucky you're leaving alive. Now that your injuries are healed, be on your way-and don't let me see you again. Next time, I can't guarantee you'll be as fortunate."

Without waiting for a reaction, I turned around and walked toward the house.

In my long, insufferable life, this encounter would be nothing more than a fleeting memory.

Or so I thought.

Just as I stepped over the threshold, a soft rustle from behind me caught my attention.

Not too stupid, I thought, assuming that it was leaving as I instructed.

...Wait.

My brows suddenly knitted together as I realized the sound wasn't receding.

It was approaching.

I stopped in my tracks, and turned around.

The pup was trotting toward me-slowly, determinedly.

My expression iced over, a humorless scoff slipping past my lips.

I had allowed it to leave out of rare compassion, but apparently, that wasn't appreciated.

Fine. If it wished for death so badly, I would allow it the luxury.

As it approached the edge of my herb garden, my gaze narrowed.

Outside the protective spell circle around the rose garden, the air was lethal. Even a breath of that miasma could kill a grown wolf, much less a pup.

I counted silently as it neared the boundary.

One... two... three...

By ten steps, the poison in the air would seep into its lungs and end its life.

A fitting end, I would say. A consequence of its own foolishness.

Nine...

Its paws hovered inches from the invisible deathline.

Before I could think, my hand moved-an isolation spell burst forth and shot toward it, wrapping around its small body like a protective veil.

I froze.

Why... had I done that?

A moment later, I told myself it was simple logic: I had gone to the trouble of healing it. Letting it die now would be wasteful.

Yes. That was the only reason.

When it finally stopped before me, looking up with those pitiful blue eyes, I let out a quiet scoff...and then smiled.

"You don't want to leave? Is that it?" my voice dropped low.

It didn't respond and simply stared at me.

Unbothered by its silence, I continued, "Very well. Stay, if you wish. I suppose..."

My fingers twitched, a strange glint flashing past my eyes.

"...I could use the company."

Let's see how long you can keep your wily little tail hidden.

XANDER

I found my mate.

And in the most unexpected, unimaginable way possible.

Looking back now, maybe there had been signs long before today.

Ten years ago, to be exact.

That night had been my first shift, my first moon run.

Young, but those born from my bloodline always shifted earlier than most.

As we approached the heart of Mystic Forest, I had felt it.

An intense pull from within the fog.

Then a voice, soft and insistent, whispered for me to enter. It told me something important was waiting for me inside.

I tried resisting at first, but the feeling only grew stronger. In the end, I gave in, slipped away from the pack and ran straight into the thick fog.

It was an absurd, reckless and undeniably idiotic decision.

From birth, I had been told stories, cautionary tales, about that place.

Stories of people who entered and came out broken.

Some lost the ability to shift. Some went mad.

Some never returned at all. As for whether they died, or were trapped inside, no one knew.

Not that it made any difference either way.

In short, no one walked into that fog and emerged unscathed.

But I did.

For reasons I couldn't understand then, or even now, I did the impossible and survived.

Inside, I followed the pull, searching desperately for what had called to me... but found nothing.

Only endless white fog.

Even that strange inner voice disappeared as if it had never existed.

In the end, I chalked it up to some bizarre side effect of my first shift and slipped back the same way I entered.

Unharmed.

Because everything went so smoothly and easily, I even wondered if all the terrifying stories were lies.

When I rejoined the moon run, my father-the Alpha leading the pack-questioned my disappearance through mind-link. I brushed him off with some flimsy excuse and kept the truth buried.

I didn't dare tell him, or anyone else, that I had gone to the very place we had been forbidden from stepping into.

And for a time, arrogance and complacency replaced the fear I was supposed to feel for that place.

But as I grew older, I witnessed firsthand what happened to those who ventured inside intentionally or by accident.

Their fates were real, horrifyingly real.

That was when I understood something painfully simple:

My survival that night had been luck.

Pure, impossible luck.

From then on, especially with my lifespan already threatened by the bloodline curse, I stayed far away from the forbidden grounds.

I never imagined that ten years later, cornered and desperate to protect my secret, I'd be forced to gamble with my life again-hoping that same impossible luck would save me.

And it did.

But this time... the fog wasn't empty.

Moreover, the strange pull was back, stronger than before. And so was the whisper in my head.

They led me deeper into the fog, and as I did, I witnessed the mist thinning until it finally disappeared and something else stood in front of me.

A medieval mansion.

Surrounded by a lush, thriving garden.

Someone was living here.

In the heart of the forbidden ground.

It sounded absurd-even to me-but it was real.

After I collapsed in the middle of the rose garden, I watched her approach. A woman of breathtaking beauty, walking barefoot across the dewy grass, her pale, slender feet glimmering faintly under the moonlight.

Then her scent hit me-or perhaps it was the garden's-an heady, intoxicating blend of roses and herbs that wrapped around my senses.

Next, my heart, always calm and steady, gave a single, loud thump against my ribs.

And the whisper in my mind rose again, this time clear and undeniable.

Mate.

My first reaction was denial.

Impossible. Ridiculous.

But the restless energy coursing through me as she drew closer told me the truth.

She was my fated mate.

Once I accepted that-I had no choice-the questions flooded in.

Had she and the building always been here?

If so, why didn't I find them here ten years ago?

If not, how did she manage to slip inside without alerting either my pack or the neighboring one?

And more importantly-

What was she?

She wasn't wolf.

Even in my weakened, cursed state, I would've sensed that.

Human? Spirit? Something else?

The answer came from her own lips.

"...how did you manage to slip past the poisonous miasma outside and my enchantments...?"

Enchantment.

So she was a witch, I thought.

My mate was a mysterious witch living in the forbidden grounds of Mystic Forest.

What an intriguing, yet suspicious person.

And judging from the calm indifference in her eyes-despite the soft, gentle tone she spoke to me with-she was far from harmless.

Which was perfectly understandable, after all, not just anyone could survive out here.

But for the moment, I had more immediate concerns.

I needed a temporary shelter.

I needed time.

And needed her not to throw me out in my half-dead, cursed state.

So I made a plan.

Act harmless.

Make her believe I was just a lost, pitiful little creature that wandered into her territory.

She must not know I was a werewolf.

Not just to keep my secret, but also because something deep, instinctive, warned me she might not be pleased at the discovery.

So I looked up at her with the most innocent eyes I could muster.

Then, while she was distracted, I nuzzled her hand.

I couldn't be sure since I had no prior experience, but that should count as showing goodwill, right?

But her reaction-freezing up, jerking back-suggested otherwise.

And then I felt it.

Killing intent.

Aimed directly at me.

My blood ran cold.

Why the sudden change?

Did she sense I wasn't an ordinary pup? Her magic detected the truth?

If that was true-

A bitter thought occurred to me.

Was I going to become the first Alpha killed by his fated mate before we even officially recognized the bond?

And in this state, half-paralyzed by the curse, I couldn't even run, not to mention fighting back.

Just when I lost hope, our gazes met and unexpectedly, she hesitated.

Something in her gaze seemed to shift.

And instead of striking, she threw her head back and laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that echoed something deep inside me.

Before I could make sense of it, her expression smoothed back into calm indifference.

Then something unbelievable happened.

Magic-real, tangible magic-formed in her hand.

Not channeled through tools or rituals like the witches I'd encountered before.

Pure, raw power.

Then while I was still stunned, she shot it toward me.

It felt warm, alive.

Then slowly, it healed me..

Not just my injuries, but the searing, relentless agony in my bones.

The curse's pain.

She told me to leave afterward, but I barely heard her.

All I could think was-

My mate was extraordinary.

More than extraordinary.

For the first time in years, my entire body felt light, no longer crushed under the curse's weight.

Her magic eased it.

A thousand thoughts ran through my mind in a short span of time, my eyes sparkling with hidden excitement.

As she turned away, I made a decision.

There were still some hours before dawn, before I returned to my human form.

Within that time, I needed to learn everything I could about this mysterious woman.

And the best way to do that was to stay near her.

But disappointment soon washed over me.

I had forgotten that during the curse's active hours, I'm left half-paralyzed, unable to do nothing but wait for dawn to break.

The fact I'd made it this far was already a miracle.

That thought had barely settled when I felt something change inside me.

A spark of energy shot through my body.

My limbs twitched.

My muscles responded.

My strength, albeit faint, had returned.

My eyes instantly widened, complicated emotions flooding them.

Her magic didn't just ease the curse.

It restored a sliver of my strength, which in my current condition, was more than enough.

My resolve hardened.

No matter what it took, I had to stay by her side.

There was a chance that she might know something about my bloodline curse.

Maybe...

Maybe this mate of mine might just be the key to breaking it.