Moonborn: Rise of the Wolfless Luna

Bella was running as fast as she could through the forest.

Thick smoke curled through the trees, clouding her vision and burning her lungs. Her legs trembled beneath her, weak from the wolfsbane still coursing through her system.

She stumbled and stopped by a fallen tree, panting hard. Her hand clutched her chest as she whispered in a shaking voice, "Moon Goddess, please... Please help me escape this nightmare."

A distant wolf's howl echoed through the trees.

Bella's eyes widened in fear. Her instincts kicked in. She pushed herself up and ran again, her bare feet bleeding, her body aching, but her will to survive stronger than ever.

Not far behind, two guards stumbled through the underbrush.

"How the hell is she still running that fast after all that wolfsbane?" Tim shouted, frustration and disbelief mixing in his tone.

Mike caught up beside him, placing a hand on Tim's shoulder. "Alpha Roland gave us a direct order. We have to bring the maid back alive, at all costs."

Tim cursed under his breath, trying to keep up.

But Mike suddenly froze, eyes wide as he pointed ahead. "Wait... That's Moonshadow Pack territory."

Tim skidded to a stop beside him. "Shit. We can't cross into their land.

Mike nodded, breathless. "We find another way around. Fast."

Meanwhile, deep inside Moonshadow Pack territory...

Alfred Black, the Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack, stood near the edge of a steaming pool of water nestled between ancient rocks. He was shirtless, blood crusting around a wound on his side, his body still bruised from a recent border ambush.

Night had fallen. The moonlight danced on the water.

His Beta, James, stood nearby, his voice low and serious. "Alpha Alfred, the perimeter is clear. No one will disturb you. Please rest and let your body heal."

Alfred gave a small nod. "Make sure no one finds out my wounds are acting up.

"Understood." James bowed and left the clearing.

Alfred slowly stepped into the warm water, wincing slightly as the heat touched his wounds. He leaned back against the stone wall, letting his body sink.

Silence.

But just as he closed his eyes... he heard a splash.

He snapped to attention. "Who's there?" he growled.

He turned quickly and saw a young woman stumbling into the water. She looked terrified, her face pale, eyes unfocused. Her dress was torn and dirty, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.

Bella.

Her body trembled as she stared at him. She stepped toward him slowly, her voice weak. "Please... I've been drugged. Will you help me?"

Alfred stepped forward cautiously. "How did you even get in here?"

Bella's eyes fluttered. Her head spun.

He was warm.

His presence seemed to melt away the fear inside Bella. Though her limbs trembled and her mind was hazy, she felt calm, safe, and even. But she didn't understand why.

Without thinking, she leaned in and pressed her trembling lips against his.

Alfred pulled back, startled by the sudden kiss. "You're not thinking straight," he said gently.

"I... I don't know what's happening," she whispered, voice breaking. "But I don't want you to stop."

As she touched his chest, a strange light pulsed under her palm, and then, just like that, the gashes on his skin began to close.

Alfred's eyes widened. "What...? My pain. It's gone."

He stared at her with a mixture of wonder and suspicion. "What are you?"

Bella met his gaze helplessly. "I don't know."

He reached out, brushing a strand of soaked hair away from her face. Something stirred inside him. Something primal. Fierce. Protective.

Could she be... my mate?

He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur against her ear. "Are you sure you want this? Because once we start... there's no stopping."

"I want you," she said, trembling. "Please."

He lifted her from the water with surprising gentleness and laid her down on the warm rock nearby. The night air wrapped around them, but neither of them felt the cold.

His lips met hers again, deeper this time, filled with heat and hunger.

"Then sit back," he whispered huskily, "and enjoy the ride."

When Bella woke up the next morning.

Bella stirred beneath soft, unfamiliar blankets. As her eyes fluttered open, she saw a man beside her.

Alfred lay beside her, sleeping soundly.

Her breath caught in her throat. What have I done?

She had slept with a stranger... after being drugged and running for her life.

Slowly, carefully, she peeled his arm from around her waist and slipped from the bed.

She found her torn dress and shoes, quickly getting dressed with trembling hands.

"I escaped from the Wolfsbane Pack. I can't let them find me again." Bella said in her thoughts.

Without a second glance, she opened the door and disappeared into the woods once more.

The moment Bella left, Alfred's eyes blinked open.

His hand reached instinctively to her side... and found emptiness.

He sat up quickly, scanning the room.

"She's gone," he muttered.

The door creaked open as James stepped in. "Alpha..."

"There was a woman here last night," Alfred interrupted sharply. "Find her."

Bella moved quickly, her eyes scanning every shadow and tree branch. Each rustle in the leaves made her flinch.

Then a voice rang out.

"Bella!"

She froze in her tracks.

Her breath caught as she turned around slowly, only to find Bruno, Tim, and Mike standing a few feet away. Their faces were cold. Determined.

Bruno crossed his arms, smirking. "This is the tenth time you've run off.

Bella's knees trembled.

Bruno stepped forward and grabbed her by the arm roughly. "Alpha Roland's gonna make you pay."

Tears burned in her eyes.

They took Bella back to Wolfsbane.

Roland Hill, Alpha of the Wolfsbane Pack, sat back in his leather chair in his private office, his eyes closed. A smirk danced on his lips as the woman under the table stroked his big cock with her hand, pleasing him.

Her name was Selina, his lover, though he treated her like every other woman, disposable.

As he let out a groan of pleasure, his fingers circling her nipples, the office doors swung open.

Selina walked over to her, heels clicking on the tiles, and leaned close to Bella's face. Her voice was sharp with venom. "If you try to seduce Alpha Roland... I'll kill you myself."

Bella narrowed her eyes. "That disgusting man is all yours."

Selina's eyes flared in rage, and she raised her hand to slap Bella...

"Enough, Selina!" Roland's voice thundered from behind his desk.

Selina flinched and slowly lowered her hand. She stepped back, shooting Bella a hateful glare, then walked away with the guards following behind.

Roland stepped out from behind his desk and slowly approached Bella.

"A wolf-less maid like you should've just lain there and taken it after the wolfsbane. How dare you run from me?"

Bella stood her ground. Her eyes were burning with defiance. "I'm not anyone's maid, you asshole."

His face twisted in fury. He lunged forward and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her slightly.

"This tattoo on your face marks you as my maid!" he snarled.

Bella's eyes widened in horror as the past flooded her mind.

FLASHBACK

She was only fifteen. Roland's guards held her down like an animal, her screams ignored. The iron branding tool was red-hot. Roland held it with his gloved hand, then pressed it into her left cheek. The pain was unbearable. She passed out from the screams.

PRESENT

Bella coughed as his grip tightened.

"There's no way out, Bella," he whispered with a cruel smile.

Bella's teeth sank into his wrist.

"You disgust me!" she spat as he recoiled in pain.

"Shit!" Roland shouted. "You've got a fiery mouth on you." He licked the blood from his wrist. "How about I fuck you speechless this time?"

He leaned close to her neck, sniffing.

His brows suddenly drew together. He raised her hair and sniffed deeper.

"Why do I smell another werewolf on you?" he growled. His voice was low, dangerous. "Did you lose your virginity?"

Bella stared straight into his eyes. "That's none of your business. I'd rather give it to any man on earth than you."

"Congrats, then," he muttered coldly.

He yanked her by the hair so hard she cried out in pain.

"Now you've really pissed me off." His face was twisted with rage. "Let's see who that bastard is who dared touch what belongs to me!"

He dragged her by the hair across the floor. Bella screamed.

"Let go of me, you monster!"

Just then, a voice broke the moment.

"Alpha Roland!"

Roland, still angry, shouted back, "What is it?!"

The guard replied with excitement in his voice. "We have a visitor. Alpha Alfred is here from the Moonshadow Pack!"

Roland froze.

He repeated the name in disbelief, "Moonshadow Pack? The largest wolf pack?"

The guard nodded from outside.

Roland's expression changed from rage to curiosity. "We've never crossed paths before... What are they doing here now?" he muttered under his breath.

Still holding Bella's hair, he turned her face toward him. "I'll deal with you when I'm done," he snarled. "Now go make yourself presentable and bring some tea for our distinguished guests."

He shoved her roughly, making her stumble back.

Bella, wearing her white and black apron, rushed to the kitchen. Her hands were still shaking as she poured the tea carefully into glass cups.

As she was about to arrange them on the tray, Selina suddenly appeared, pretending to pass by. She bumped into Bella intentionally, causing the hot tea to spill over Bella's apron.

"Ow!" Bella flinched.

"You, clumsy, worthless maid," Selina hissed with a wicked smile. "Do you even know who our guest is?"

Bella looked at her in silence, eyes filled with frustration, but she said nothing.

Selina leaned close, gently touching her own chest, a fake innocent look on her face. "It's Alpha Alfred," she whispered. "One of the most powerful Alphas in the entire werewolf kingdom. If you mess this up..." She leaned in further, her smile turning cruel. "You're dead."

Bella's fingers trembled, but she said nothing. She cleaned the mess and finished preparing the tray.

Selina walked away confidently, joining Roland in the hallway. Roland took her hand as they both moved to welcome their guest.

The moment Alpha Alfred stepped into the packhouse, the air changed. His very presence commanded respect and power. His eyes were sharp, his posture strong, and his aura made everyone drop their heads in honor.

Alfred sat down gracefully, his expression unreadable.

His Beta leaned close and whispered, "Alpha, our clues indicate that the girl you met last night was captured by the Wolfsbane Pack."

Alfred's jaw tightened. "So they dared to touch one of my people?" he said quietly. "Let's keep our plan under wraps for now."

Roland greeted him with a warm handshake. "Welcome, Alpha Alfred.

Selina smiled sweetly, already calculating in her mind. "Well, well... so this is the famous Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack. You're as ravishing as expected," she said boldly. "Do you have a Luna?"

Roland pretended to smile politely.

"Alpha Alfred, to what do I owe the pleasure of your sudden visit?" he asked, masking his tension with charm.

Alfred leaned back slightly, his posture confident but controlled.

"I'd like to discuss the peace treaty between our packs," Alfred said firmly, his eyes not leaving Roland's.

Just then, Bella appeared quietly from the side, her presence unnoticed at first. She knelt beside Alfred gracefully, balancing the silver tray of tea in her trembling hands. Her heart pounded with nerves, but her face remained expressionless.

Alfred felt the movement near him but kept his eyes on Roland until he reached out to take the cup.

As his fingers brushed the porcelain, his eyes finally drifted to the person kneeling beside him.

Their gazes locked.

Time froze.

His hand remained on the cup, but his fingers now touched hers. His usually composed face shifted.

"It's you," Alfred said softly, almost in a whisper, as if he was seeing a ghost.

Bella's lips parted, but no words came out. Her eyes widened, and the tray trembled slightly in her hands.

Alfred's hand was still on the cup, together with Bella's. He stared at her, completely frozen. His heart raced as memories from that night flashed in his mind: the way her eyes looked under the moonlight, the softness of her touch, and the pain he felt when she vanished without a trace.

He couldn't believe it.

But before he could say a word, Roland's voice cut through the silence like a knife.

"Alpha Alfred?"

Alfred blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.

Bella quickly stood up, pulling her hand away from his. She lowered her head, trying to stay calm.

Roland looked between them. His smile was fake. "This is our pack's maid. Do you know each other?"

Bella didn't look at either of them as she spoke. "No, Alpha Alfred. You've got the wrong person. I don't know you."

Alfred stared at her, shocked. Why was she lying?

Bella bowed slightly and walked away, holding back the tears in her eyes. She didn't dare look back.

Selina leaned close to Roland's ear and whispered, "Alpha Roland, that bitch was definitely trying to seduce Alpha Alfred."

Roland's eyes narrowed as he looked at Alfred, who sat quietly, staring into space, still thinking about Bella.

Roland forced a smile. "My apologies, Alpha Alfred. Please excuse me for a moment."

He stood and followed Bella outside.

Bella was walking down the poolside, taking deep breaths. But she didn't get far before Roland grabbed her hair from behind and yanked it back hard.

"You filthy whore!" he growled.

Bella screamed, "What are you talking about?! Let go of me!"

"You think you can seduce someone right under my nose?!" he shouted, dragging her closer to the water. "This is what you get for disobeying me!"

Inside the room, Alfred stood by the window. He saw everything: Roland dragging Bella, her screams, the fear in her eyes. He clenched his fists.

She's in trouble, he told himself.

Outside, Roland pushed Bella's face toward the pool water.

"No! Please!" she cried, struggling.

Roland laughed darkly. "You should have stayed in your place."

He shoved her head into the water.

Bella kicked and fought, bubbles rising as she screamed under the surface.

Alfred couldn't take it anymore. He dashed out of the room, ignoring the guards, and ran straight to the pool.

Roland pulled Bella's head up, breathing heavy. "Have you learned your lesson yet?"

Bella gasped for air and looked at him with hate. "Go to hell."

He sneered. "How about I send you there myself?"

He shoved her head back into the water again, laughing.

Suddenly...

A strong kick hit Roland from behind, sending him crashing to the ground.

Bella's head came out of the water, coughing and gasping.

Roland groaned in pain, looking up to see who it was.

It was Alpha Alfred.

"Oh my," Alfred said calmly, pretending, "I'm sorry, Alpha Roland. I didn't realize it was you. I thought it was some low-life harassing the staff."

Roland forced a laugh from the ground. "How kind of you! We were only joking, of course."

Alfred reached out his hand to help Bella.

She looked at it, her heart racing.

He's an Alpha... Can I really trust him?

She lowered her eyes and stood on her own, not taking his hand.

Dripping wet and shivering, she walked away.

Alfred's eyes followed her until she disappeared into the hallway.

Bella entered her small room. Her hair was soaked, her dress stuck to her skin. She dropped to her knees, crying.

"When will this nightmare ever end?" she whispered.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind her.

"Have you been living like this all along?"

Bella turned quickly, startled. "Sir! What are you doing in my room?"

"I'm sorry," Alfred said softly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

He stepped forward slowly. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Alpha Alfred, leader of the Moonshadow Pack. Do you... Remember me?"

Bella's heart jumped.

How could I forget the Alpha who took my virginity that night under the moonlight? She said in her thoughts.

She looked down. "I remember... But that night was a mistake."

Alfred shook his head. "It wasn't a mistake for me. I've been looking for you ever since."

He stepped closer, gently. "Please, don't push me away. You're more than just a maid. You have a name... and a life."

Bella hesitated. Then she looked up at him and said, "My name is Bella."

Alfred's eyes moved down to her arm. He noticed the scars, old bruises and burn marks. His jaw tightened.

"Bella... how many times?" he asked softly.

"What?" she said, confused.

He gently touched her arm. "How many times did they hurt you?"

Bella turned her body away, ashamed. "I... I lost count."

He adjusted her wet hair and whispered, "I'm so sorry. Pain is all you've known."

Bella couldn't hold back anymore. She cried into his chest. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

When was the last time someone held me like this? she wondered.

But then she pulled away.

"No... I can't fall for him," she thought. "He's an Alpha."

She stepped back. "I'm just a maid. You shouldn't be here. It's late."

He held her arm gently. "Bella, come with me. I will protect you. I swear. You'll never have to live like this again."

She shook her head. "You want me in your pack... so I can continue being a maid?"

"No," Alfred said. "You'll never be a maid again."

He stepped even closer and slowly touched her stomach.

"You're pregnant... with my pup."

Bella froze. "What...? That's impossible."

Alfred looked into her eyes. "It's real, Bella. I can feel it.

Bella stepped back, heart pounding. "No... this can't be..."

Bella said, "We were only together a few nights ago. How can I be pregnant?"

Alfred looked at her seriously, "I'm an Alpha, Bella. That means my seed takes root faster than that of an ordinary wolf."

He leaned closer, placing his nose gently against her chest. He inhaled deeply, then looked into her eyes.

"I can smell it, Bella," he whispered. "You're carrying my pup. Our pup."

Bella's eyes widened, her hand trembling. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"I'll talk to Roland," Alfred continued. "I'll tell him to release you. I'll protect you and our pup."

He stepped even closer. "Come with me to my pack. Please."

Bella looked at him, speechless. Something in his eyes was different this time, softer, protective.

But she was still afraid.

She stepped back, voice quiet. "I don't know, Alfred. I need more time to decide on that."

He nodded slowly. "I'll wait for your answer."

With one last look, Alfred turned and left the room.

But what they didn't know was that Selina had been hiding in the shadows the entire time. She had heard everything. Her hand was over her mouth in shock as she whispered to herself.

"That slut is pregnant! With Alpha Alfred's pup?"

Her lips curved into a wicked smile.

"I need to tell Alpha Roland."

Back in Bella's room, she sat quietly, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. Her heart was pounding with fear and confusion.

Suddenly, the door burst open.