Eila's feet moved of their own accord, her body drawn toward the enigmatic man before her as if an invisible force tethered them together. Her heart pounded in her chest, each step quickening as she closed the distance between them.
The moment her golden eyes met his icy blue ones, the world around her dimmed, leaving only him—Leonard Blackwell, her mate.
He was striking, almost unreal in his perfection. His obsidian-black hair contrasted sharply against the pale moonlight, and despite being thirty-six, he looked no older than someone in late twenties. His chiselled jaw and sharp cheekbones lent him a regal air, while his broad shoulders and lean, powerful frame exuded strength. There was no doubt that he was dangerous, but to Eila, he was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Each of his steps was deliberate, graceful, and controlled. He moved like a predator who knew he was the strongest in the room—calm, unwavering, and completely sure of himself.
The moment his scent hit her, Eila felt her body tense. Leather and pine cones—a heady, masculine aroma that sent a shiver down her spine. It was intoxicating, wrapping around her senses like an embrace she had long been waiting for.
Sera stirred restlessly in her mind, eager to emerge, to claim the mate the Moon Goddess had chosen for them.
"Let me out, Eila," her wolf whispered, her voice trembling with excitement.
Eila did not resist.
In a blur of silver light, she shifted, her bones cracking and reforming in an instant. Where once stood a girl, now stood a magnificent silver wolf with gleaming golden eyes. Power radiated from her, shimmering beneath the moon's glow. She had never shifted before, yet it felt natural—like this form had always been waiting beneath the surface.
A low, approving growl rumbled through the night.
Leonard had shifted as well.
His wolf was breathtaking—a massive black beast, larger than any wolf Eila had ever seen. His dark fur shimmered under the moonlight, giving him an ethereal, almost mythical presence. His piercing blue eyes, identical to his human ones, locked onto hers with an intensity that sent a thrill through her.
The crowd around them had fallen silent. Werewolves were naturally drawn to their mates, but this was something else entirely—something rare, something powerful. Even the air between them vibrated with the weight of their bond.
Leonard's wolf took slow, measured steps toward her, his powerful body moving with lethal grace. Sera whimpered in anticipation, her golden eyes following his every movement.
Then, he was before her.
Eila and Sera both held their breath, their hearts hammering as Leonard's wolf leaned in, his massive form towering over her. Their bond screamed for completion, for his mark, for the final tether that would make them one.
Would he do it now?
Would he claim her beneath the full moon?
For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to pause. His breath was warm against her fur, his presence overwhelming.
And then—
He scented her.
A slow, deliberate process, as if memorizing every bit of her. It was an agonizingly sweet moment for her.
But instead of marking her, he pulled away.
Eila's wolf let out a soft whimper, the loss of his warmth like a sudden void in her chest.
Disappointment coiled in her stomach. She had been ready. They had been ready. And yet, Leonard Blackwell had chosen restraint.
Why?
Was he rejecting her?
Doubt crept into her mind, but before she could sink too deep into it, Leonard's wolf met her gaze once more, his blue eyes dark with meaning.
Not yet.
It was a silent promise—one that both thrilled and frustrated her.
Then, without another word, he turned, shifting back into his human form with effortless ease. The shift back was much harder for Eila, but she forced herself to follow his lead. When she stood again on two legs, her dress barely hanging onto her form, she found Leonard watching her with that same unreadable intensity.
His voice, deep and unwavering, sent shivers down her spine.
"You are mine, Eila. But I will claim you when the time is right."
The finality in his words left no room for argument.
Eila swallowed hard, her heart still racing. She had found her mate—but the real journey was only beginning