Eyes in The Dark I

Selene walked back to the pack house alone. Her steps were slow and thoughtful, but her senses were sharp. She never let her guard down, not even in broad daylight.

Especially not here.

Everything about BloodMoon was unexpected. The people smiled. The children laughed. Even the wolves here seemed… relaxed. At ease. It didn't match anything she had read in her mission file.

According to her handler, BloodMoon was cold and dangerous. According to her eyes, it was something else.

Which made her job harder.

She entered the house through the side door. Inside, the air smelled of baked bread and herbs. Pack members moved through the halls with polite nods and greetings. Selene responded with tight-lipped smiles and avoided conversation.

As she passed the kitchen, Maya called out to her.

"Lena! There you are. I was just coming to find you."

Selene stopped, her expression neutral. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Maya said cheerfully. "Just wanted to let you know there's a gathering tonight. We light the moonfire once a month. It's tradition. Everyone attends."

Selene hesitated. "I don't usually do crowds."

"You'll be fine," Maya said, handing her a piece of warm bread wrapped in cloth. "Kael will be there. He asked me to make sure you knew."

Of course he did.

Selene took the bread, nodded her thanks, and walked away. She didn't eat it until she was back in her room with the door locked.

She sat by the window and watched the sun dip lower in the sky.

Moonfire.

That was probably the event Kael mentioned earlier. She wondered if it was some kind of ritual or just a gathering. Either way, she needed to be there. Not because he invited her. But because every step inside this place gave her more information.

Information kept her alive.

When night fell, she dressed carefully. She chose a long-sleeved black dress, simple but clean. Nothing flashy. Nothing weak. She tucked her small blade into her boot, just in case.

The moonfire was held in a clearing behind the pack house. Torches lined the path, and the entire area glowed with golden-orange flames. A large bonfire burned at the center, and the pack had already gathered in a loose circle around it.

Laughter echoed across the clearing. Music played from somewhere. Children darted between the trees, chasing each other and howling at the moon.

Selene paused just beyond the trees, her body still. Watching.

She always watched first.

Kael spotted her quickly.

He was standing near the fire with Orion and a few other wolves. When he saw her, he didn't smile. He didn't speak. He just walked toward her, his presence quiet but commanding.

"You came," he said.

"I said I'd think about it."

"And you did."

He offered his arm. She didn't take it. Instead, she walked beside him without touching. Close enough to show they were connected. Distant enough to remind him they were strangers.

They reached the fire. Orion nodded to her. Some of the pack stared. Others smiled. A few whispered.

Selene didn't care.

She had dealt with worse than suspicion.