Moonlit Vows

The forest was unusually quiet that evening, its towering trees casting long shadows under the dim glow of the setting sun.

Selene Rivers adjusted her scarf against the biting autumn chill, her boots crunching against the blanket of fallen leaves.

She'd come to the woods for solace, hoping the isolation would help her clear her thoughts.

Life in the small town of Everhollow had been far from eventful—until tonight.

She hadn't planned to stay out late, but as the sun dipped below the horizon, she realized she'd wandered farther than usual.

The air felt different now—heavier, as though the forest itself was holding its breath.

A low growl shattered the silence.

Selene froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned slowly, scanning the woods, but nothing stirred. Her pulse raced as she quickened her pace, her breath visible in the icy air.

The growl came again, louder this time, followed by the unmistakable sound of snapping twigs. Panic surged through her veins. Selene broke into a run, weaving between the trees, her instincts screaming at her to flee. But she wasn't fast enough.

A massive wolf leapt from the shadows, landing a few feet ahead of her. Its fur was jet-black, its golden eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Selene skidded to a halt, her breath hitching. The creature snarled, baring sharp teeth that glinted in the moonlight.

Her mind raced. Wolves weren't supposed to be this big. This wasn't an ordinary animal—it radiated an unnatural intelligence, its gaze locked onto hers with almost human intensity.

"Stay back," she whispered, though she knew it was futile.

The wolf crouched, muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce. Selene closed her eyes, bracing for the worst.

A deafening roar echoed through the forest, and the black wolf was suddenly thrown sideways by a blur of movement. Selene's eyes snapped open as two figures tumbled across the forest floor—a second wolf, larger and more imposing, its fur a stormy gray streaked with silver.

The two beasts clashed violently, their growls shaking the air. Selene stumbled backward, her instincts urging her to run, but she couldn't tear her gaze away. The gray wolf fought with ferocity, its movements fluid and precise, as though it had been trained for this moment.

After a brutal exchange of claws and teeth, the black wolf let out a pained yelp and darted into the shadows, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

The gray wolf stood still, its chest heaving as it watched the retreating figure. Slowly, it turned to face Selene.

She should have been terrified. But as the wolf's piercing blue eyes met hers, she felt an odd sense of calm. There was no malice in its gaze—only curiosity and something she couldn't quite place.

And then it happened.

Before her eyes, the wolf began to shift. Its massive frame contorted, bones cracking and reshaping, fur receding to reveal pale skin. Selene's breath caught as the creature transformed into a man.

Tall and broad-shouldered, he stood before her, shirtless and barefoot, his silver hair tousled and his piercing blue eyes never leaving hers. Scars crisscrossed his chest, a testament to countless battles. Despite his imposing presence, there was an undeniable grace to him, as if he belonged to the forest as much as the trees themselves.

"What—" Selene stammered, taking a step back.

"You're not hurt," he said, his voice deep and steady, though his tone carried an edge of concern. It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Selene blinked, struggling to find her voice. "What… what are you?"

The man tilted his head, studying her with a mixture of caution and curiosity. "You shouldn't be here," he said simply.

"You think I wanted to run into… that?" she shot back, gesturing to the spot where the black wolf had attacked her.

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost as if he wanted to smile but couldn't quite manage it. "You're lucky I was nearby. That one wasn't planning to let you walk away."

Selene's legs felt like jelly, and she leaned against a tree for support. "What was it?"

He hesitated, as though weighing how much to tell her. "A rogue. Dangerous, even for someone like me."

"And what are you?" she pressed, her fear giving way to curiosity.

"I'm the one who just saved your life," he said dryly, his lips curling into the faintest smirk.

Selene glared at him, her fear momentarily replaced by indignation. "I noticed. Thanks for that. Now, could you maybe explain why a giant wolf turned into a man right in front of me?"

He sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "You're persistent. That's… inconvenient."

"Inconvenient?" she echoed, her voice rising. "I almost got mauled to death, and you're worried about being inconvenienced?"

He chuckled softly, the sound low and rich. "Fair point."

Before she could press him further, he straightened, his expression turning serious. "You need to leave the forest. Now."

Selene frowned. "Why? Are there more of those things out here?"

His jaw tightened. "Not tonight. But you don't belong in this world. It's dangerous."

Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten. "This world?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he took a step closer, his blue eyes locking onto hers. "Go home, Selene."

Her heart skipped a beat. "How do you know my name?"

The man's expression softened, but he didn't reply. Before she could demand an answer, he turned and began to walk away, his form disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

Selene stood there, her mind spinning. She should have been terrified, but instead, she felt an inexplicable pull toward the mysterious stranger.

Whoever—or whatever—he was, she had a feeling her life would never be the same.

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