Claimed by the moon bound Alpha

Elena could feel the chilling air as she stood on the fringe of the woods, looking up at the narrowed beams of light from the full moon. The wind slowly blew through the leaves, sharing things she shouldn't have known.

This was her eighteenth birthday, the time her power was meant to start, yet again, nothing appeared. No wolf. No change. Just emptiness inside her head and a hollow feeling in her heart.

Besides the chill, she kept clinging to herself due to the old, familiar feeling of disappointment. As the measure of worth depended on the pack, Elena had none in hers.

Because her mother died when she was young, she was adopted by the Mooncrest Pack as Beta Liam's only child. Until his parents met Isabelle, her father was alone with his daughter and brought her up. Her step brother, Jason, used any chance to let her know she didn't belong.

Was tonight really the night you expected things to happen? Jason spoke in a way that broke the silence as if using a dagger. Walking out from behind a tree, he smirked at me.

Ever since his wolf had woken up two years earlier, he had made sure she remembered. It's possible that you're not even half-werewolf. It's possible you're just broken."

She stiffened her body, yet held her tongue. I was talking to people who weren't going to listen anyway. Instead, she kept moving into the trees, fogging up the air every time she breathed.

The gathering was beginning in the clearing beyond where everyone had assembled. Warriors transformed into wolves, children enjoyed the night and mated couples were close to each other. She was alone, separate from those people she had lived with all her life.

Moments before she could fade away, a heavy nervousness ran through the pack. Facts were spread quickly by whispering.

"They're here..."

Jason called her to return, but she was not moving.

Beyond the light of the clearing, several wolves made their way out of the wood. Clean, orderly and extremely dangerous. In the darkness, their eyes looked like shining stars. At the front was a heavily built black wolf; his sharp silver gaze cut through the night as brightly as a blade.

"That's Alpha Kael of the Moonbound Pack," someone whispered. "What's he doing here?"

Kael shifted effortlessly into his human form, a tall, commanding figure with tattoos winding down his arms and an aura that silenced even the boldest warriors. No one thought he would come here.

None of the Moonbound ever mingled with others in the summer. They didn't require anyone to stand with them. People scared them.

Everyone heard gasps as Kael moved. He was imposing, his body and danger clearly visible under a soft glow of moonlight. Runes painted his body and the runes glowed quietly, making him appear blessed by the moon.

He moved his gaze over the crowd and then locked it on her.

Her breath got stuck in her throat. Her pulse beat so hard, almost painfully. Why did he look at her that way?

She approached the girl without thinking twice. Everything he did felt like he sucked the air out of the surrounding woods. Everyone in the clearing was completely quiet.

His voice was like dark silk and thunder when he called out my name. "You're mine."

The crowd became very lively.

"What?"

That doesn't make sense!

"She's got nothing like a wolf," I said.

Elena stepped back with a shaking head. "No. You've done something wrong. I am in no way like how they are. The shift is not an experience I've known. I can't be the one you-

"You are my partner," he snarled, his eyes becoming even brighter. The moment I saw you, I knew that we would be close.

Jason gave a cold laugh. She's only human, just like anyone else. Pathetic, really. I'm sure you can do better than that, Alpha.

Kael looked straight at Jason. If you talk to me again, I'll slit your throat.

Jason's skin turned white and he pulled away.

She felt her heart slowly beating and growing more intense. She couldn't process what was going on. Her? His mate? From all the people you know?

It happened and everything changed.

There was a sudden blazing pain in her spine that took over. Her laying down on the floor, sobbing. Her bones bent, heat spread over her skin and her blood surged. Something strong and old inside her had been suddenly let loose.

"Elena!" her father exclaimed and rushed her, but Kael did nothing more than give him a stern look, keeping him still.

She cried out as the world became unclear and reeled out of control.

And then, silence set in.

Elena got up calmly from her bed and had experienced a change.

Her eyes had changed from amber.

They were both tattooed in silver. The same silver as Kael's is what I wear.

All many stood there speechless at what they saw. Kael took a small step forward as well.

"That doesn't feel right," someone whispered quietly. There was no movement on her part. But she stirred something in me.

His jaw became stiff. "What are you truly like?"

Her eyes shut briefly as the silver light slowly disappeared. "I haven't figured it out."

However, a voice that wasn't hers somehow appeared in her mind. Ancient. Feminine.

There is something about the Moon in your blood. What people think about you isn't always true. You have never existed.

She caught her breath and lost her balance.

Kael managed to catch her so she didn't fall. He still had strong arms, but he wasn't as quick to grab the gun anymore. Confusion.

He spoke quietly, watching Elena's face. Something in you is still hidden. Something powerful."

Her trembling breath was visible as she looked at him. I found out about it from a voice. As far as I am concerned. The wolf I saw wasn't mine. That's when I realized it was different from anything I had seen before.

Kael was unable to speak before a scream disrupted their conversation.

Racing past the edge of the forest came a warrior, with blood on his body and heavy breathing.

He shouted, "They're on their way!" The Shadow Claws are somewhere in our lands!

Panic spread. The Shadowclaw Pack was a group without loyalties, popular for being mean and wanting to wreck things. They hadn't been spotted in a long time.

Kael looked at his team of soldiers. Let's get ready for the fight!

After that, however, his eyes narrowed and he looked at Elena as if he discovered something.

He said quietly, "They're not here to fight." They are around... for you.

Elena froze.

"Come again?" I whispered.

His speech softened as his voice lowered. You're much more to me than someone I found on the streets. You're linked to something that dates back very far. There's one thing no pack recalls... except for them.

Her lips opened wide out of disbelief. "What do you mean?"

He answered, "In other words, you might help stop this war or even initiate a much worse one."

I could hear a howl coming from the darkness.

From beyond the trees, another person walked into view.

It just isn't a wolf.

A man wearing darkness, with eyes full of flames.

His eyes looked at her as he said, "Elena." It's about time for us to return home.