Marked by the Moon.

The cry of a baby the best melody in the ears of a mother.

My mother always told me I was her greatest gift.

"Look at her, George," my mother whispered, her voice filled with affection. "Our little Rebecca is a gift from the heavens."

"She's perfect," my father declared, his eyes locking on me. In that moment, everything felt just right. After a decade of hoping and waiting, the sound of a baby's cry filled the room, but not just any baby-their baby, their precious child. Things were finally taking a turn in their favor.

Maybe they spoke to soon

His footsteps echoed through the hallway, each thud announcing his arrival. The echoes weren't just in the hallway but in the hearts of those within.

"Such a beautiful baby," he remarked with a smirk, his voice sending chills down our spines. George, my father, tightened his grip on my mother protectively, meeting his gaze with silent defiance.

"You know I always liked you, Commander," he continued, his words dripping with perverse amusement. "And the heavens decided to bless you by making us a family." The mockery in his tone sent shivers down our collective spines, the realization of an unholy alliance tightening its grip on our joy.

Summoning a flicker of courage, my father stepped forward, desperation etched in his eyes. "Darius, she's just a child," he pleaded, his voice carrying the weight of a father's desperate entreaty.

Darius, feigning surprise, opened his eyes wide, a façade of innocence. "I would never hurt a child, especially the one destined to bring an heir to my son," he declared, his gaze shifting between me and my mother. But beneath the veneer of false reassurance, a sinister truth lingered.

Drawing closer, Darius leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper clawing at my father's senses. "But you know a prophecy is a prophecy, and I will come back for her. I do hope you give her to me. I would hate to slash that beautiful throat of yours and Linda... in law," he hissed, the subtle threat hanging heavy in the air. Just as he was about to leave, he turned to my mother with a bright smile on his face. "Congratulations, Linda," and with that, he was gone, leaving the room steeped in tension.

***

The soft sand filled my legs as I ran around the playground, my favorite place to be. The sounds of birds and the laughter of children always made me feel safe. I turned around, and there stood my mother, watching me play. She smiled and waved, and I reciprocated. It was my sixth birthday, and my parents had planned a fun-filled day for me.

"Becca, come, let's play on the swings!" my friend exclaimed, pulling me towards the swing set.

While my friends played on the swings, a man approached, holding a captivating flower. It had a rare, beautiful black color. I accepted it with a smile, and the stranger pointed ahead. There, a tall man stood with a powerful aura. He smiled at me. I couldn't explain the uneasy feeling that washed over me, but the sight of him made me shiver in fear.

I quickly sought out my mother. "Mum, Mum, look at this," I said, showing her the unique flower. "Where did you get this from?" she asked as she examined the flower.

"A very handsome man gave it to me."

"And who could that be? I've never..." Suddenly, a realization struck my mother. She looked at me, attempting to compose herself, but I could see right through her. "Honey, I need you to take me to this man."

I gave her a gentle nod and led her to where the stranger had been, but to my greatest surprise, he was gone. "He was just right here," I murmured.

My mom swiftly picked me up, and we rushed into the car. I wondered why we had to leave so unexpectedly.

Tousling on my bed, I awoke from a sleep filled with uneasy dreams. The dim glow of the moonlight seeped through my bedroom window, casting shadows that danced along the walls. The creaky floorboards beneath my feet groaned softly as I navigated my way to the kitchen.

However, my journey came to an abrupt halt as my ears caught the strains of my mother's worried voice. It echoed through the quiet darkness, each word etched with a palpable sense of concern. In the living room, she paced with restless energy.

"We have to get out of here," she declared, her words hanging heavy in the air.

"Running won't solve this, Linda," my dad's voice resonated, a counterpoint to the tense atmosphere.

The weight of the situation pressed on my mother, and frustration painted her face as she exclaimed, "Then what do we do? Do you expect me to watch and do nothing?"

"Of course not! Do you think I don't wake up scared that our precious baby will be gone? Every day is a nightmare for me. But if we run, he's going to come for us, and he's going to kill us. I can't let that happen," my dad confessed, his footsteps carrying him to my mother as he embraced her in a soft hug.

"I can't lose her, George. I can't," she whispered, her words barely audible.

I couldn't hold back my feelings, so I went closer, and tears streamed down my face. The room felt smaller, like a storm was coming. Even though I was young, I could tell that something was really, really wrong.

Seeing me, my parents quickly rushed, enveloping me in a hug that sought to shield and reassure. "I'm sorry, baby... don't cry about anything. Everything's fine, my mom said, attempting to soothe me. But even though I was young, I could sense that she wasn't telling the whole truth.

"I won't let anything happen to you," my dad promised

"You're safe with us."

"No, no, no," Lola, my best friend, barged into the room as I lay on my bed. "What are you wearing?" she asked.

"My pajamas," I replied, my voice muffled by the pillow.

"Come on, Becca, it's your 18th birthday. You can't mope around all day doing nothing." Lola wasn't taking no for an answer, and today, of all days, I was not in the mood for a celebration.

I wasn't a fan of birthdays; they felt more like ticking time bombs. It wasn't like anything special would happen. As my birthday approached, it drew nearer to the day I met my fate. Dread lingered, but I wasn't scared. I had trained all my life for this moment, and I couldn't wait to stab Sebastian straight in the heart.

Lola, undeterred by my gloomy disposition, held up two different dresses. "This or this?"

I sighed, reluctantly lifting my head. "Lola, you know I hate parties."

"Yeah, but you're going to love this one. Unlike your other birthdays, you should go out sometimes and have fun. So, no excuse you are going out."

"She's right, honey," my mum chimed in as she entered my room.

"Thank you, Mrs. Morgan. Now get up," Lola insisted, pulling me up from the bed.

"Oh, I like the red gown," my mum remarked, settling on my bed.

"I was thinking the same...here, go try it out," Lola said, tossing the gown to me.

Knowing it was two against one, I walked into my bathroom in defeat. The red gown hung on the back of the door, a silent reminder of a celebration I wasn't eager to embrace.

Coming out, I did a reluctant little turn. "Happy?"

"You look amazing, baby," my mum replied, a smile playing on her lips.

"Red looks good on you... You can thank me later," Lola said, wearing a triumphant smirk.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here comes the gorgeous lady in red," Lola announced as I walked down the stairs, while my parents cheered. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at how dramatic they were being but that didn't stop the smile that formed on my lips

"Oh, sweetie, you look stunning," my mom said with a big smile. Even though they were smiling, I could tell they were nervous, knowing that this day was more important than anyone realized.

"I've got a little surprise for the birthday girl," my dad revealed, guiding me gently towards the garage.

"Oh my goodness! Thank you, Dad," I exclaimed, my eyes widening at the sight of the sizable Jeep.

"Anything for you, baby. Now go and have fun, but not too much fun," he teased.

"Promise, no promises," Lola chimed in as we hastily made our way to my new ride.

The premises resonated with booming music as we pulled up to Carter's party. Spotting our friend Ravi as we parked, his expression shifted to one of disbelief upon seeing my new ride.

"OMG!" he exclaimed.

"I know, cool, right?" Lola chimed in as we stepped out of the car.

"This is so aw..." Ravi began, his words tapering off as his eyes widened upon seeing me.

"Cat caught your tongue" Lola teased, winking at Ravi. I always knew Ravi liked me; everyone did. He wasn't good at hiding it. He was a really nice guy, and any girl would be lucky to have him. Honestly, there was a time I felt the same way too, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt him. Trying to follow my heart seemed pointless when I knew I was claimed by a monster against my will.

"You... look good," he managed, clearing his throat and averting his gaze, attempting to conceal his flushed cheeks.

"You clean up well, Mr. Ravi," I replied with a smile, looping our arms together as we made our way into the house.

If the music outside was loud, the inside was even louder. The room was packed with teenagers dancing, and you could smell a hint of alcohol in the air.

"You made it," Carter exclaimed as he embraced Lola.

"Yeah, we did," Lola replied, raising her voice to be heard over the din.

"C'mon, let me show you around," Carter suggested, guiding Lola through the crowded room. Lola's crush on Carter was obvious, and from the way he held her close, it seemed he felt the same. You couldn't blame him; Lola was the epitome of beauty. Her flowing blonde hair cascaded down her back, her big blue eyes were captivating, and her slender yet perfect body commanded admiration. As a baby she was offered many modelling gig that just showed how attractive she was.

Not wanting to intrude on their time together, Ravi and I veered off in a different direction.

"You okay?" Ravi inquired.

"Yeah, just a lot on my mind," I replied.

"Why don't we go out?" Ravi suggested. I nodded in agreement as we headed towards the door.

"Finally," Ravi sighed as we stepped away from the crowded room and blaring music.

"I thought my eardrums were going to fall off," I joked.

"Happy birthday, Becks. I know you don't like celebrating your birthday, but I just thought... it would be nice if I got you this," he said shyly, holding up the necklace.

"It's totally fine if you don't want it. I co-" he began.

"I love it," I interrupted, turning around for him to place it on my neck.

"It's beautiful. Thank you, Ravi," I said with a smile as he smiled back.

"I'm glad you love it," he said sheepishly.

"Your dad visited my place yesterday," Ravi disclosed, breaking the stifling silence.

"Oh, any news?" I inquired with anticipation.

Ravi met my gaze with sorrow, gently shaking his head. Disappointment weighed down my shoulders. Since my father discovered the mark, he had covertly trained me on survival. Seeking a solution, he had approached Ravi's mom, the city's foremost scientist. In her kindness, she decided to aid in finding a way to eradicate the werewolves. A risky task, for which I was forever indebted to her and Ravi.

"Don't worry, Becks. My mom will surely find a way. There's always a loophole."

I offered a grateful smile at his words. "You're right. There is always a loophole."

"Oh my goddess, guess who is coming over," a girl exclaimed.

"Who?" another girl asked.

"Freaking Bas," she replied.

A sudden shiver ran through me at the mention of his name. "Shut up," the other lady interjected.

"I'm serious. Apparently, Carter's dad helped the Alpha, and in return, he decided to grant Carter's dad whatever he asked for."

Why were they so excited to welcome that monster? When did werewolves become celebrities? How could we humans so easily forget the pain and heartbreak they caused? A surge of hurt and anger pulsed through my body. If he showed up, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a bullet straight into his heart. Sensing my anger, Ravi stepped up to the ladies.

"You should be ashamed of yourselves," Ravi declared.

"What the hell do you mean?" the girl asked, clearly confused.

"Fantasizing over a monster who has brought nothing but pain."

"Look, pip-squeaks, if you have a problem with that, go talk it out with him, not us," the other girl retorted.

Soon, I found myself standing in front of them, anger etched across my face. "Talk it out," I said through gritted teeth.

"Do you know how many innocent lives they've taken, how many homes they've broken, and you have no sympathy for them?"

"Look, I don't know what your problem is, but I want to survive, and if it means having him between my legs, I'm willing to do that," she shamelessly replied.

I was furious. Unaware that our disagreement had drawn attention and formed a circle, Ravi navigated through the crowd to separate us, guiding me in a different direction.

"Coward," I scoffed.

"What did you call me?" she demanded.

"Coward," I stated audibly. If she was angry before, she was now truly incensed, and I couldn't care less.

"Hey, Becks, that's enough, let's just leave," Ravi suggested, attempting to grab my hands, but I vehemently refused. I was sick and tired of everything.

As Ravi worked to diffuse the tension, her friend appeared out of nowhere, tossing a cup of drink in my direction.

"Hey!! What the hell?" Ravi barked, wiping off the drink from my body.

I gently pushed Ravi aside as I stormed towards her, and without thinking, I slapped her. The surroundings fell into silence, everyone shocked by my sudden outburst. Just then, Carter arrived.

"What's happening?" he yelled, looking confused. Right behind him was Lola, and the look she gave me showed she was really mad. I didn't get why I reacted that way. Was it because the happiest day of my life turned into the worst? Or was it the hope that Ravi's mom would fix things? Maybe it was the annoying compliments given to the guy who messed up my life. Wanting to get away from all of this, I quickly walked off, ignoring them calling my name.

I had to get out of there.

The air hung heavy as I drove away from the party. Deep down, I knew this was a terrible idea. I should have stayed indoors, perhaps focused on training or delving into research to find a way to end the werewolves. However, against my better judgment, I succumbed to Lola's insistence. It wasn't her fault; I couldn't blame her. It was all the werewolves' fault, and that's precisely why I had to put an end to this. Clenching the steering wheel, I accelerated into the city, heading towards the one place that offered solace – home.

Upon arriving, I slipped into the house but froze at the sound of my mom's gentle sobs.

"I'm sorry; I promised I wasn't going to cry," she confessed, wiping away her tears.

"It's okay, honey," my dad consoled her. "We have to be strong for her."

My chest felt constricted, as if I couldn't breathe. I couldn't let them see me in this vulnerable state. Quietly, I slipped away, stumbling upon something as I did. Looking up, I sighed in relief that my parents hadn't heard me. Looking down, I found those wretched black roses. Why did he always find a way to affect me like this? I picked up the rose and hastily left.

As I drove towards my destination, a sense of terrible unease enveloped me. I loathed him-loathed him intensely. He made me feel as if I were suffocating. I needed air. Swiftly, I got out of my car and ran, refusing to stop until my breath caught up with me. Standing in the heart of the forest, I decided to release the pent-up frustration within me. My screams echoed in the desolate woods.

"I've had enough!" I yelled into the emptiness.

"Why don't you face me?"

"Show that foolish face of yours," I demanded, but met with silence. Of course, there was no response; what had I expected? Turning to depart, I caught the rustle of leaves. Bas? I thought, only to be disappointed by the appearance of three different faces before me.

"It's foolish to wander the forest at this hour," declared the guy in the middle.

Werewolves, I thought.

"Look at what we have here," he said as he approached.

I stared into his eyes, refusing to back down.

"Quite the confident one," he smirked. "It's a shame you won't live to see another day," he added, his eyes glowing under the moonlight.

I couldn't die like this, not until I witnessed these monsters perish.

"You can't kill me," I asserted, laughing. They all looked shocked.

"Says who?" the other werewolf questioned.

I slowly lowered my gown sleeve, revealing the mark on my left arm.

"She's Marked," the lady stated.

I smirked at the middle guy; I could see the pain and humiliation in his eyes. Among the terrible things, that was the only perk of being marked – immunity to death by any other werewolf, except the one who marked you.

"I guess I will live to see another day," I said with a smile.

As I turned to leave, the middle guy quickly appeared in front of me, blocking my view.

"Where do you think you're going?" he snarled, revealing his sharp fangs.

"Joe, what are you doing?" the other werewolves asked in surprise.

"Just teaching her a lesson," he replied, grabbing me by the neck and lifting me up. I gasped for breath, finding it hard to breathe.

"Joe, that's enough!" the female werewolf intervened.

"You could kill her," the other one warned, but their words fell on deaf ears.

I fought desperately against his vice-like grip, but his strength prevailed. The ominous reality of impending death loomed over me; my very existence teetered on the edge. As the struggle continued, a surge of unparalleled force sent me hurtling to the forest floor. The impact jarred my senses, leaving me disoriented and gasping for air.

Amid the disarray, I saw Joe, flung to the far reaches of the woodland, his form disappearing into the shadows. The sudden violent expulsion raised questions in my mind, but my weakened state hindered me from comprehending the unfolding events.

A deafening bang echoed through the forest, reverberating in the air like a tempest's roar. It signaled the entrance of an unknown presence, one that instilled fear even in the hearts of the other werewolves. Though my curiosity yearned to identify this mysterious savior, my body betrayed me, succumbing to the overpowering fatigue.

The world around me dimmed as my eyes fluttered, weighed down by weariness.

My eyes hesitantly fluttered open, greeted by the muted hues of an unfamiliar room. The soft glow from an unknown light source painted the surroundings with an eerie yet intriguing ambiance. Confusion surged through me as I struggled to place myself in this unfamiliar setting. This certainly wasn't my room, and a sense of disorientation washed over me like a haunting mist.

As my vision gradually adapted to the ambient light, I meticulously examined the room, searching for any clues that might reveal my location. A pained groan escaped my lips as I gingerly placed a hand on my throbbing head, memories of the recent werewolf encounter flooding back – mysterious figures, a desperate struggle, and then, an abrupt descent into darkness.

The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. If there were werewolves involved, I couldn't dismiss the possibility of lingering danger. Wincing in pain, I carefully rose from the bed, my gaze sweeping the room for any object that could serve as a makeshift weapon. The soft glow illuminated a snow globe resting on the bed frame, and I limped towards it with cautious determination.

Stepping out of the room, the air thickened with tension, my senses on high alert. Every subtle sound or movement sent shivers down my spine, and as footsteps approached, I instinctively rushed behind the door, clutching the snow globe tightly. The anticipation of impending danger hung in the air.

The footsteps drew nearer, echoing in the quiet space. Bracing myself, I prepared for a potential attack. Raising the snow globe, I aimed it at the stranger's back. In a surprising and swift motion, I found myself forcefully pressed against the wall, my hands held captive by a compelling force. The snow globe slipped from my grasp, its gentle bounce on the floor reverberating through the room.

Slowly lifting my eyes, I was met with a piercing gaze – those unmistakable gray eyes. A complex dance of emotions unfolded within me as the realization hit like a crashing wave – Bas.