Chapter 33: Beast and Man

Kieran's POV

The moon wasn't even visible yet, but I could already feel her pull in my blood.

I paced the reinforced chamber like a caged animal, my skin burning with the need to change. To tear. To destroy. Each full moon was bad, but this one felt worse – like my blood had been replaced with liquid fire.

"Three hours until moonrise," I growled to myself, looking at the heavy silver-reinforced door.

I'd locked myself in early tonight. The Midnight Queen was coming, and my pack needed their Alpha, not a dumb beast. But the rage was rising faster than normal, clawing at my insides with razor-sharp talons.

Sweat soaked through my shirt as I fought the change. My bones cracked and reset themselves, wanting to shift but meeting my stubborn reluctance. I wouldn't give in. Not yet.