Chapter 3

The forest swallowed Luna whole, the thick trunks of the ancient pines casting long, crooked shadows across the ground. She moved swiftly, the rustling of her boots barely audible against the soft earth. Her heart raced, but not from fear—no, this was something else. Something more dangerous. A pull, a whisper that led her deeper into the woods, farther from the safety of her pack.

Behind her, Ronan's presence was like a storm building in the distance, powerful and unavoidable. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her back, even as the distance between them grew. It wasn't just his physical presence that unsettled her. It was the tension in the air, the electricity that sparked whenever they were near each other. She could hear his footsteps growing closer, the soft scrape of his boots against the forest floor, and her pulse quickened.

"You're leading me further into the woods," Ronan's voice cut through the silence, dark and low. "Is this where you plan to lose me?"

Luna didn't slow her pace, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "If I wanted to lose you, I'd be a lot farther ahead by now."

There was a brief silence, and then Ronan chuckled—low, almost to himself. "Bold. I like that."

Luna's breath caught, the sound of his laughter tugging at something deep within her. She shook it off quickly, refusing to let him get to her. He was a Dawn Chaser, and she was a Night Howler. Their fates were supposed to be tied by blood and hatred, not... whatever this was.

She pushed forward, but he didn't fall behind. His presence lingered like a shadow at her side, his steps synchronized with hers. She could feel the heat of his body, the intensity of his gaze, even if she refused to look at him.

Finally, she stopped, stepping into a small clearing bathed in moonlight. The trees parted just enough to allow the silver glow to cascade across the forest floor, creating an eerie stillness that felt almost sacred. Luna turned, facing him, her stance defiant.

"This is as far as you go," she said, her voice firm, yet something in her chest betrayed the tremor that ran through her. "I don't have time for your games, Ronan."

Ronan stopped a few paces away from her, his storm-gray eyes never leaving hers. There was no fear in his gaze, only a quiet intensity that spoke volumes. "I'm not here for games, Luna. I'm here because you've been avoiding me, and I want to know why."

Luna clenched her fists, her breath shallow. She wanted to argue, to tell him to leave, to remind him of who they were—enemies. But the words wouldn't come. Instead, she found herself studying him, her gaze tracing the sharp lines of his jaw, the strong set of his shoulders beneath his dark clothing. His hair, wild and untamed, framed his face like a warrior's crown.

"You should hate me," Luna whispered before she could stop herself. "We're enemies. We've always been enemies."

Ronan stepped closer, his voice softer now, as if weighing every word. "I don't hate you."

Luna's heart skipped a beat. She forced herself to swallow the sudden rush of emotion that threatened to overtake her. "You're supposed to."

"I know," Ronan said, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness. "But the truth is, Luna, I don't think I ever have."

The silence stretched between them, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. Luna could feel the air crackling with energy, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow over the clearing. Everything about this moment felt wrong, yet it was impossible to walk away from.

"What do you want from me, Ronan?" Luna finally asked, her voice barely a whisper. The question felt dangerous, like it could unravel everything.

He stopped a few steps away, his gaze softening. "I want answers. I want to know what you're hiding."

Luna felt a chill run down her spine. Was he talking about her encounter with him at the border? Or was it something deeper? Something more dangerous that neither of them had yet acknowledged?

"I'm not hiding anything," she replied quickly, her voice defensive.

His eyes didn't waver. "Don't lie to me."

Luna stiffened, her walls rising higher, but she couldn't deny the truth in his voice. He was right. She had been hiding something—more than just her feelings for him. There was a deeper reason she had crossed the border that night, a reason she hadn't even fully understood herself. But now, with Ronan standing there, she couldn't keep pretending it didn't matter.

"You don't understand," Luna said, her voice trembling slightly, despite herself. "There are things you don't know. Things that—"

The sound of a distant howl broke through the tension, sharp and urgent, calling through the night like a warning.

Luna's head snapped toward the sound, her instincts flaring to life. That wasn't just a normal pack call. There was something desperate in it, something that made her stomach twist in fear.

"What is it?" Ronan asked, his voice low, concern threading through his tone.

Luna's mind raced. The howl was too close, too urgent for comfort. Her pack needed her. She couldn't afford to stay here any longer, not with the unknown dangers threatening both her and Ronan's people.

"I have to go," she said, her voice tight. "Now."

Without waiting for him to respond, she turned and ran, the trees blurring past her as she sprinted back toward the village. She could hear Ronan behind her, but she refused to look back. She couldn't afford to be distracted by him—not now.

As Luna disappeared into the night, Ronan's words echoed in her mind. I don't hate you.

She shook her head, refusing to let herself be swayed. But deep down, part of her couldn't help but wonder: what if this wasn't just a collision of enemies? What if it was something more?

The clearing was left in silence, the moonlight now fading as the forest held its breath.