Jane spent the rest of the day pretending she was fine.
She laughed when Lena cracked jokes. She listened when Mira talked about town gossip. She nodded when Granny asked about her afternoon.
But inside her head, everything was loud.
Alex's voice replayed over and over.
You don't belong there.
The words shouldn't have mattered. He was a stranger. Arrogant. Rude. Controlling. Exactly the type of man she usually avoided.
So why did her body react like he had touched her without even laying a finger on her?
That night, Jane lay awake staring at the ceiling. The house was quiet except for the gentle crackling of the fireplace downstairs. Wind brushed against the walls. The forest whispered softly in the distance.
Her chest felt tight.
Restless.
Uncomfortable in a way that made it impossible to sleep.
She sat up and rubbed her arms. Her skin felt warm. Sensitive.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered.
She got out of bed and walked to the window. Moonlight spilled across the snow outside, turning the ground silver. The forest stood dark and endless at the edge of Granny's land.
Jane's breath slowed.
Something pulled at her.
Not physically. Emotionally. Deep inside her chest. Like a thread tightening slowly around her heart.
She tried to step back.
Her feet didn't move.
Her mind screamed at her to return to bed. To lock the window. To forget the strange feeling.
Instead, she found herself putting on her coat.
Her hands shook slightly as she tied her boots.
"I'm just getting air," she whispered to herself. "That's all."
The cold hit her instantly when she stepped outside. Snow crunched softly beneath her boots. The night was quiet. Too quiet.
With every step toward the forest, the pull grew stronger.
Her heartbeat matched the rhythm of her footsteps.
Fast. Nervous. Excited.
Jane stopped at the tree line.
Darkness swallowed the path ahead.
Fear finally caught up with her.
"This is stupid," she whispered.
She turned around.
And walked straight into a solid chest.
Jane gasped and stumbled backward.
Strong hands grabbed her arms, steadying her instantly.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" a deep voice growled.
Alex.
Her breath caught painfully in her throat.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to sound angry instead of shaken.
His jaw was tight. His eyes burned silver in the moonlight.
"I asked you first."
Jane pulled her arms free. "I wanted fresh air."
"Near the forest. At night."
"I didn't know I needed your permission to breathe."
Alex stepped closer, his presence overwhelming in the quiet night.
"You felt it," he said.
Jane froze. "Felt what?"
"The pull," he said quietly. "Don't lie to me."
Her throat tightened.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He stared at her for a long moment.
"You're changing," he said. "Your scent. Your energy. It's shifting."
Jane's heart pounded violently.
"You keep saying strange things," she snapped. "I don't understand any of this. One minute I move here, and suddenly you're acting like I walked into some secret war."
Alex exhaled slowly, clearly fighting his temper.
"You shouldn't be here," he said again. "Not without protection."
"I don't need protection," Jane said stubbornly.
He laughed darkly.
"You're standing in territory controlled by creatures you don't even believe exist."
Her blood ran cold.
"What are you saying?"
Alex's eyes dropped to her lips briefly before meeting her gaze again.
"I'm saying the stories you think are fairy tales are real."
Silence stretched between them.
Jane swallowed hard.
"Werewolves?" she whispered.
Alex didn't answer immediately.
That was enough.
Her knees felt weak.
"This isn't funny," she said. "If this is some sick joke…"
"It's not," he interrupted. "And you don't get to joke about it."
Jane stepped back slowly. "I want to go home."
Alex moved with her, matching her steps.
"You can't walk alone like this anymore," he said firmly.
"You don't get to control me," she snapped.
His eyes darkened instantly.
"I get to protect you," he corrected.
She laughed bitterly. "From what? You?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation.
The honesty hit her harder than any lie.
They stood inches apart now. Jane could feel the heat coming off his body. Her skin tingled where the cold night air met his warmth.
Her heart betrayed her.
It leaned toward him.
Her body leaned toward him.
Alex noticed.
His hands clenched at his sides like he was holding himself back.
"Stop looking at me like that," he said quietly.
"Like what?" she whispered.
"Like you want me."
Jane's breath hitched.
She didn't answer.
Alex stepped closer until there was no space left between them. His hand lifted slowly, hesitating inches from her cheek.
"If I touch you," he said, voice low and tight, "I won't stop."
Jane's pulse thundered in her ears.
"Then don't touch me," she whispered.
He cursed under his breath.
His hand dropped.
"Go inside," he said roughly. "Now."
Jane hesitated. Something inside her didn't want to leave.
Alex's eyes softened for a brief second.
"You don't understand how dangerous this is," he said. "If the bond fully awakens before you're ready, the pack will sense it. And not all wolves respect Luna blood."
"Luna?" she asked softly.
He froze.
Too late.
Jane stared at him. "What did you just call me?"
Alex turned away sharply.
"Go home," he said again.
Jane stood there shaking, heart racing, mind spinning.
She finally turned and walked back toward the house.
Halfway to the door, she stopped and looked over her shoulder.
Alex was still standing there, watching her.
Protective.
Possessive.
And dangerously close to losing control.
Jane's life was no longer normal.
And deep down, she knew.
This was only the beginning.