Fated Hearts: Rejected by the Moon

Chapter 03

Lyra's POV

"You're bleeding." My voice quivered as I went nearer Thorne, his shredded shirt displaying the deep claw wounds over his breast.

The metallic scent of blood blended with the night air, yet he scarcely flinched, his eyes probing the shadows as if awaiting another attack.

"It's nothing," he responded, his voice chilly, disconnected. He looked away from me, his emphasis on the dark woodland that surrounded us.

"It's not nothing!" I grabbed his arm, pushing him to face me. "You could have died back there, Thorne. Do you even care?"

His jaw clenched, and for a second, I feared he may lash out. Instead, he moaned, running a hand over his black hair, now soaked with sweat and blood.

"Caring isn't a luxury I can afford, Lyra. Not when you're in danger."

"Danger you won't even explain to me!" My voice increased, the frustration bubbling over.

"You keep pushing me away, throwing cryptic warnings and half-truths at me, but you won't tell me what's really going on.

I deserve to know, Thorne. I have a right to know!"

He drew closer, his towering presence intimidating as his eyes latched into mine.

"You think you want the truth?" he hissed, his voice low and threatening.

"The truth will destroy you, Lyra. It'll ruin everything you believe you know about this pack, about me, about yourself."

I refused to back down, even as his words sent a shudder through me.

"You don't get to decide what I can or can't handle. You rejected me, remember?

You don't get to shelter me from reality anymore."

His face twisted with something I couldn't quite place—guilt, maybe, or sorrow. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by that familiar, unreadable mask.

"The rejection was the only way to keep you safe," he added gently, almost to himself. "But it's not enough anymore. They know who you are, Lyra. What you are."

My stomach sank. "What are you talking about? Who knows?"

Before he could answer, a twig broke behind us. Instantly, Thorne's body tightened, his hand reaching to the dagger attached to his belt. He whirled around, his eyes scouring the trees.

"Stay close to me," he urged, his voice barely above a whisper.

I obeyed, terror prickling at the borders of my thoughts. The woodland was oddly silent, the regular noises of nature replaced by a smothering calm.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it—a shadow, too rapid to be human, dashing between the trees.

"Thorne…" I started, but he lifted a hand to quiet me.

The shadow drew closer, and for a second, I feared it may be another rogue. But when it walked into the moonlight, my breath caught. It wasn't a rogue. It was Zane.

"Fancy meeting you two here," Zane drawled, his sharp features highlighted by the feeble light. His smile was wolfish, predatory, and it sent a shudder down my spine.

"What do you want, Zane?" Thorne's voice was stern, his grasp on the dagger tightening.

Zane chuckled, his eyes moving to mine. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want. She's quite the prize, isn't she?

Too bad you had to go and reject her. That makes things so much simpler for me."

My heart beat as his words set in. "What are you talking about?"

I demanded, coming forward despite Thorne's attempt to keep me back.

Zane's smile grew. "Oh, sweet Lyra. You have no clue how wonderful you are, do you?

No concept what type of power you wield. But don't worry, sweetie. I'll make sure you accomplish your destiny."

Thorne hissed, coming between us. "You'll have to go through me first."

"Gladly." Zane's voice was laced with malicious glee as he leaped forward, his claws intended for Thorne's throat.

The two of them met with tremendous force, their growls booming through the jungle.

I stood paralyzed, divided between the need to leave and the need to help. But what could I do? I was no match for Zane's strength, and I knew it.

"Lyra, go!" Thorne yelled, his voice strained as he battled to pull Zane back.

But I couldn't move. Not while Thorne was battling for his life. Not when the tie between us shouted at me to remain.

"Lyra!" he cried again, his urgency piercing through the commotion.

Before I could answer, Zane hurled him to the ground with a painful thud.

He turned to me, his eyes sparkling with victory. "Your knight in shining armor can't save you now, sweetheart."

I took a step back, my pulse beating as he neared. "Stay away from me," I urged, attempting to sound bolder than I felt.

Zane laughed, a chilly, empty sound. "Oh, I don't think so. You're coming with me, whether you like it or not."

Just as he reached for me, a tremendous roar broke the darkness. From the shadows came a big wolf, its silver fur glittering in the moonlight.

It was Kael, Thorne's younger brother. His appearance brought Zane staggering back, a rare expression of terror crossing his face.

"Two against one?" Zane scoffed, but his arrogance was definitely failing. "How noble."

Kael didn't answer. He pounced at Zane, his massive teeth snapping inches from his throat. Thorne was on his feet in an instant, joining the battle.

"Lyra, run!" Kael hissed, his voice gruff but definitely forceful.

This time, I listened. I turned and ran, the noises of the struggle fading behind me as I sprinted into the woodland.

But even as I fled, one question captivated me: What had Zane meant about my destiny?

As Lyra staggered into the clearing, her chest thumping, she came face to face with an elderly woman wrapped in black, her eyes gleaming softly gold.

"Hello, child," the woman replied, her voice dripping with uncanny calm. "We've been waiting for you."

As I rushed into the dark woodland, the sound of my heartbeat drowned out everything else.

My breath came in short, frantic gasps, as branches raked at my arms and legs.

The impulse to peek back was nearly terrible, but I knew better. If I faltered, if I hesitated for even a second, it may be my last.

The strange calm of the woodland was abruptly disturbed by a low growl, a sound too close, too predatory.

My stomach twisted as I realized it wasn't coming from the direction I had left behind.

It was ahead of me.

I slid to a stop, my feet slipping on the moist soil. My eyes flew rapidly, scouring the darkness for the source of the sound. And suddenly, I saw them—glowing amber eyes, staring at me from the darkness.

"Going somewhere?" Zane's voice oozed derision as he walked out from behind a tree, perfectly unharmed. "You didn't think I'd let you leave that easily, did you?"

I staggered back, my pulse racing. "H-how did you—"

"You really underestimate me, sweetheart," he said, his tone nonchalant as though we were talking about the weather.

"Your little protectors might be strong, but they're no match for me. And neither are you."

I clenched my hands, the defiance in me refusing to die. "They'll find me," I spat. "Thorne, Kael—they won't stop until you're dead."

Zane laughed grimly. "Oh, I'm counting on it. Makes the game more enjoyable, don't you think?" He cocked his head, his eyes sparkling with evil purpose. "But you, Lyra—you're the real prize.

Once I have you, they'll come. And when they do, I'll murder them both. Slowly."

A shudder raced down my spine. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my legs were fixed to the ground.

Suddenly, a loud, piercing howl ripped through the darkness. It wasn't Thorne or Kael—it was different, deeper, and more dangerous.

Zane's sneer wavered for a brief moment, his attention shifting to the darkness behind me.

"What the hell—" he mumbled, his confidence weakening.

The wail came again, this time closer. The roar seemed to reverberate through the air, primal and full of wrath.

I turned automatically, and that's when I noticed it. An enormous figure, larger than any wolf I'd ever seen, came into the clearing. Its fur was jet black, and its eyes flashed an unearthly red.

Zane snarled, taking a step back. "Impossible," he muttered, his voice tinged with anxiety.

The beast roared, its attention riveted on Zane. Without warning, it lunged.

Zane's scream rang through the trees as the beast approached with an intensity that made my blood run cold.

I didn't wait to see the outcome. I turned and ran, the sounds of their combat echoing in my ears.

But even as I escaped, one thing dogged me: If it wasn't Thorne or Kael…then what the hell was it