Moonbound

Chapter 1: The Claiming

The full moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the dense forest. Aria's heart pounded in her chest as she ran, branches whipping against her face and arms. She could hear him behind her—Thorne, the alpha of the Silver Claw pack. His heavy breathing and the sound of twigs snapping under his massive paws sent shivers down her spine.

Why me? Aria thought desperately. I'm just a human. I don't belong in this world of werewolves and pack politics.

But Thorne had other ideas. From the moment he'd laid eyes on her in the small town of Wolfhaven, he'd declared her as his mate. His to claim. His to possess.

Aria stumbled over a root, crashing to the forest floor. Before she could scramble to her feet, a large shadow loomed over her. She rolled onto her back, eyes wide with fear as she stared up at the enormous black wolf standing above her.

In a blink, the wolf transformed. Where the beast had stood now crouched a man—if you could call him that. Thorne's muscular body was barely covered by shredded jeans, his chest heaving as he stared at her with glowing amber eyes.

"Little rabbit," he growled, his voice deep and husky. "Did you really think you could run from me?"

Aria tried to back away, but Thorne's hand shot out, gripping her wrist. "Let me go!" she cried, struggling against his iron grip.

Thorne's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Never," he said, pulling her closer. "You're mine, Aria. My mate. And it's time you accepted that."

"I don't want this," Aria whispered, even as a part of her thrilled at his touch. "I don't want you."

Thorne leaned in, his hot breath fanning across her face. "Your lips say no, but your body says yes. I can hear your heartbeat, smell your arousal. You want this as much as I do."

Aria shook her head, trying to deny the attraction she felt. But it was useless. There was something about Thorne—his raw power, his intensity, the way he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world—that called to her on a primal level.

"Stop fighting it," Thorne murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "Give in to the bond between us. Let me claim you, mark you as mine."

Aria's resolve wavered. Could she really fight this connection? Did she even want to?

As if sensing her surrender, Thorne pulled her into his arms. "Say it," he demanded. "Say you're mine."

Aria looked into his eyes, seeing the passion, the possessiveness, and yes, even a glimmer of something that might one day become love. Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "I'm yours."

With a triumphant growl, Thorne crushed his lips to hers in a searing kiss. As the moon watched from above, Aria gave herself over to her fate, to her alpha, to her mate.

The forest fell silent, bearing witness to the claiming of a new luna, and the beginning of a passion that would burn brighter than any star in the sky.