Moonlight Rising - by Shedrach Ojodomo Tijani

Chapter 2 :Bound by Instinct The next morning, Moonlight woke to fog and tension.Luna stood in the training yard behind the Crescent Fang estate, fists wrapped in leather, sweat clinging to her brow. She moved through drills—spins, strikes, dodges—with feral precision. Every motion was fueled by restlessness. By the memory of silver eyes and the feel of Elijah’s arm under her hand.She didn’t hear Alpha Roman approach.“You’re distracted,” he said coolly from behind her.“I’m training.”“You’re dreaming.”She turned to face him. His tone was calm, but his posture screamed control—hands clasped behind his back, shoulders tight. Roman never yelled. He didn’t need to.“What do you want?” she asked.“To remind you that your loyalty is not optional.” His gaze flicked toward the woods. “I know your instincts are screaming. Don’t forget who tamed them in the first place.”You didn’t tame me, she wanted to say. You caged me.Instead, Luna nodded, swallowing the rising heat of rebellion. Roman studied her, then turned and left with the authority of someone who expected to be obeyed.She exhaled shakily.By midday, Luna had snuck out through one of the older warding paths she remembered from childhood. She kept her scent low, her steps silent. Elijah’s trail was faint—cleverly masked—but she could still sense something pulling her in the right direction.It wasn’t just instinct.It was something deeper.A bond.She found him in the ruins.Hidden in a clearing far from any road, the remnants of an old stone chapel stood in crumbled silence. Moss had claimed its walls; vines wove through broken windows. Elijah was sitting on the altar, hands clasped, his expression unreadable.He looked up the moment she entered.“I was wondering if you’d come.”Luna didn’t answer right away. She stepped closer, feeling the magnetic pull again, stronger now. She could feel her wolf shift beneath her skin—not violently, but with recognition. Comfort.“You left last night,” she said. “Just vanished.”“Wouldn’t have gone far if you’d chased me.”“Are you playing with me?”Elijah tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. “No. I’m just... careful.”“You called me Moon-Bonded.”“I did.”“What does it mean?”Elijah stood, moving closer. “It’s not just a legend, Luna. It’s an old truth. A prophecy. One werewolf born under a blood moon, one born under a cursed star. Together, they either unite the broken or bring ruin.”Luna frowned. “And you think that’s us?”“I know it’s us.”She opened her mouth to argue, but the words never came. Because when he stepped close enough to touch her, when his hand brushed hers, something ancient sparked to life. It wasn’t just attraction—it was recognition. As though the earth itself whispered yes.Her breath caught.“I don’t know what this is,” she whispered, “but it’s not safe.”He didn’t move. “No. But it’s real.”Then his hand was against her cheek, and her skin burned with longing. Luna had never let anyone touch her like this—not without resistance, not without fear. But Elijah’s touch soothed the beast inside her.She leaned in.Their lips met—tentative at first, then with wild urgency. For a moment, there was no prophecy, no packs, no rules. Just fire and fate.Then, a crack in the woods.They broke apart instantly, both crouching, alert.From the trees, two Crescent Fang wolves stepped into the light.Caleb and Brynn.“Luna?” Caleb’s voice was tight. “What are you doing?”Elijah growled low in his throat. Brynn had her claws out. She wasn’t friendly.“Stay back,” Luna warned. “He’s not attacking.”“You’re with him?” Brynn snapped. “A rogue?”“He’s not—”“He’s not one of us,” Caleb finished grimly.Luna looked at her brother. “You promised not to tell.”“I didn’t,” he said. “But I couldn’t stop patrols from following the scent trail.”Brynn’s eyes never left Elijah. “Alpha Roman needs to know.”“No!” Luna snapped, stepping between them. “I’ll tell him myself. Give me time.”Brynn’s growl deepened, but Caleb touched her arm. “We’ll go.”They backed away, tension heavy.When they were gone, Luna turned to Elijah. “This can’t keep happening.”He looked at her, pained. “But it will.”Back at the estate, Roman was waiting.“You disobeyed me.”Luna stood tall. “I followed my instincts.”“You followed a stranger into the woods,” he said, voice like steel. “And worse—you kissed him.”Her heart froze. “You were watching?”Roman’s eyes gleamed. “I see more than you think. Your little moment of weakness is over. He’s not one of us.”Luna's voice rose. “That doesn’t mean he’s our enemy!”Roman stepped forward, voice dangerous now. “You are mine to command. You do not decide who is enemy or ally. You don’t even know what he is.”“I know what I am,” she hissed. “And I’m not yours.”Roman’s eyes flashed.For a moment, it looked like he would strike her.Then… he turned.“From now on,” he said coldly, “you are confined to the estate.”“You can’t—”“I can and I will. You’re a danger to the pack.”Luna’s fists clenched.Inside, her wolf howled.That night, she stood on the rooftop, watching the stars blink through the clouds. The ache of longing settled deep in her chest. Not just for Elijah—but for freedom. For truth. For a future that belonged to her.Down in the forest, she sensed him still—alive, waiting.Somehow, they would find a way. The prophecy wasn’t done with them.And neither was fate.

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