Chapter One

Lillian

Another branch snaps off to the side of me, deep in the woods, and I stand motionless. The sound frightens me unlike any other. I try to not question what it is, yet part of me keeps checking to the side as I walk a little faster. The answer is too scary to think of, but the woods also have a funny way of keeping secrets.

As darkness falls, I know I have to hurry to get to my grandmother’s house to bring her dinner. The path to her house is dark already, with the sun finally dropping over the horizon, and it makes the woods that much more terrifying.

Considering the current circumstances, I decide that my best bet on arriving there safely is to run straight to her cottage. It is within my line of vision and about only twenty feet away, though my sight is not the greatest since my wolf hasn’t surfaced fully.

What could go wrong? It’s just a short distance and I’m confident that I can reach the door. I do this every night, so why would tonight be any different?

As I hear the constant sound of snapping twigs behind me, I feel a strong urge to run faster, pushing my limits until I can run no more. It’s almost as if the snapping twigs are daring me to slow so that whatever is in the woods might consume me.

The door to her cottage swings open, but I don’t have time to react as I reach it. My feet betray me, and instead of stopping in her entryway, I stumble, the basket hitting the floor first with a loud thud, and I end up toppling over it a second later.

She lets out a loud and joyful laugh as she glances outside and then shuts the door tightly behind me. "You'd think with the way you run that the night monster is on your heels."

“Grandmother, you may laugh about it, but have you not seen that thing out there as well? I heard the snapping twigs behind me, but I was too afraid to look back. If I had, then I might have tripped coming up the path and then I’d be eaten like the others.” I try to slow my racing heart by placing my hand over it and attempting to take some calming breaths. “Your granddaughter was almost a goner, and here you are, laughing at me as if it is nothing.”

“The woods hold secrets, my child. I never saw a thing, but I have heard twigs snapping at times when I go around my house. It is likely a small creature in search of its next meal. Do not fret. Nothing in the woods will harm you.” She reaches up, tenderly wiping away the tears from her eyes before offering me her hand to help me stand. “Your imagination is getting the best of you again.”

“My imagination is just fine and does not get the best of me. You know there is something in these woods, because how else does the alpha explain the disappearances? I also don’t see why you continue to live out here like this, especially alone. Why don’t you come back with me in the morning and stay with me in my home?” I finally remove the crimson red hood from over my head and let it fall on my shoulders.

When she sees my wild blonde hair, she can’t help but smile. “You remind me so much of your mother, but you know, just as she did, that this is my home. I will never leave until I pass on and I’m no longer in this world. This home holds my past and yours. It also is where your grandfather last was before he lost the challenge to Nigel.”

I feel utterly defeated and hang my head in despair. We have had this discussion multiple times, yet her response stays the same. She will never leave this cottage in the woods, even if there is a monster lurking in the woods surrounding it. But she also always tells me that I’m foolish to believe the rumors about what lurks in the forest and that is how she justifies not moving.

“I know, Grandmother, but I don’t know why you never left this pack when they stood by and allowed Nigel to murder your mate. You could have taken my mother and moved away from here.” I refrain from finishing my sentence because I know it will only cause her more pain. She hurts enough, as it is at the loss of my parents. I have often thought about what would have happened if she had moved, and if my parents would still be alive if they had. It may have been the one thing that saved them.

But then again, the monster lurks in the woods and keeps us trapped here. Anyone who enters them never comes back.

“And I have told you many more times that if I left, I would have never had you, my sweet girl. Your mother found a wonderful husband in this pack, and they loved you more than anything. Things just don’t always work out how we hope they will.”

I feel an uncomfortable lump forming in my throat, so I do my best to swallow it and push it down. These emotions are just too much.

My parents were just two of the many pack members that have disappeared into the woods and were never seen again. We’re not even sure how they got in there or why. No one knows what happened nor do they know the whereabouts of the others who have dared to enter.

They claim the monster in the woods eats them or kills them. Of course, no one has seen this beast, either, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t go unheard.

Just like tonight, you will hear snapping branches as he crosses over them with his massive paws. It follows people at the edge of the woods, watching and waiting, yet never reveals itself until it’s too late for you to escape. At that point, it’s all over and any who have seen him never live to tell the tale. If you fall off the path or get too close to the woods, then that is the end for you.

Grandmother’s fingers slip under my chin as she raises my head to meet her gaze. “Are you thinking about the past again or those stories that Nigel told you? You used to not believe them until you moved into the village when you were eighteen. I think you should have stayed here with me.”

I shake my head, denying such things. “No, Grandmother. I don’t quite believe the stories, but the disappearances are weird.”

She gives me a simple nod and leans down to pick up the basket. “They work you too much. How do you even have time to cook?”

“I make time, usually in the middle of cleaning houses, then place it in the refrigerator for our meals. It’s the best I can do.”

Grandmother sets the basket down on the old oak dining room table. It’s small with four chairs, though there are only the two of us here.

“Pull up a seat, child. Tell me how everything went today.”

A grin pulls at the edge of my lips as I think about everything that happened. It’s nothing spectacular, but today has been easier than most. Corbin was too busy to bother me.

“Well, Nigel gave me the day off because someone else needed me to clean. It was definitely an easier day than most.”

“I’m so glad,” she says as she sits down at the table. “What about Corbin?”

“He was too busy chasing Ophelia. I swear he is going to get himself cursed.”

She breaks out into laughter. “Yes, he is definitely playing with fire. We are all supposed to wait until we have our mating ceremony so we are not doomed to a life of misery. He is asking for it by tempting fate in such a manner.”

I laugh to myself and watch as she leans forward to grab things out of the basket. “At least he has no interest in me.”

Her eyes meet mine and her mouth pulls into a thin, tight line. “Keep it that way, my dear. You must keep your abilities hidden and not let them know that you are what you are. It’s bad enough they know you are the granddaughter of an alpha.”

I nod in understanding. The truth is, I’m an alpha by my family line and the rightful ruler of Dark Moon. Nigel’s family is from somewhere else and we’re not really sure how he even got here with the beast surrounding us at all times. He and his son’s eyes blaze orange, unlike the red hue of the alpha's Grandmother told me about. That is what Grandfather’s were.

When he won, everything changed. By the time I was born, they hoped my abilities never surfaced and thankfully they are hidden and I didn't shift. A hidden alpha is what she calls me. I have the strength of one and a powerful aura, but that is all.

I’m not too sure what I am, to be honest. How can you know what I am when I’ve never seen my wolf or shifted? The only thing I have is a mental connection to her, and she speaks to me at random.

I know she’s not completely gone, but she’s just as clueless as me as to why she can’t come out.

We finish the night eating our meal of baked chicken and vegetables before settling in for the night.

As soon as I’m tucked in bed in her other bedroom, I fall fast asleep, only for my dreams to greet me.

There, standing in front of Grandmother’s cottage, is a man. He is tall and lean with the biggest smile on his face. For a moment, I don’t know what to say, because I have never seen him before, or at least, not in reality.

It’s only here that I see him and, for some reason, his face is always shrouded in mist.

“Lily, come to me.”

I come closer, not worrying about who he is any longer or what he might do. His hand grabs mine and he’s so warm that I nearly melt. “What took you so long?”

“I’ve always been here waiting for you, Lily. You just need to find me.”

Before I know what is happening, he leans down and his lips meet mine in a passionate kiss. I tell myself that I should pull away, but I can’t find the will to do so. My body tells me that there is something between us, but I don’t know what.

Early the next morning, I collect my basket from the table and hastily put away the dishes that have been used the previous evening for dinner.

I try not to think of the steamy kiss or the other things that followed in the dream. It’s just a dream and I’m crazy for even allowing myself to enjoy it.

“Off so soon?” Grandmother calls out from her bedroom, where she has been since I woke up.

“Yes, I have to go to work. However, I will return as I do every night. Is there anything you'd love for dinner?” I grab hold of the basket, quickly making my way to her doorway before leaning my head inside her room. "You know I'll bring you anything you want. Well, I’ll try."

She scoffs dismissively. "I understand that, but I don't want you to overexert yourself. You work so hard as it is for that alpha and his son, along with the others. The brats. They apparently can’t clean for themselves like everyone else."

I roll my eyes. It’s not that I don’t agree, but there isn’t much I can do about it. At eighteen, six years ago, I had to move back into the village instead of staying with my grandmother, though they never gave me a reason for the move other than I needed to adjust to the pack members. It’s not fun, but I consider it my duty. If it keeps my grandmother safe, then it’s what I will continue to do. "Ah, yes. Corbin. It's okay, Grandmother, it's not so bad. It's his potential mate that is annoying. She is the one who makes it hard. I don’t know why she makes me the center of her torment, because I don’t want anything to do with the alpha’s son."

Grandmother slowly moves towards the side of the bed and swings her legs over the edge. “Are you still having challenges dealing with Ophelia? Hold on, let me get my slippers. I will show her what an alpha female can do."

She immediately notices what she has done and shakes her head while I suppress a quiet laugh. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have ever said that. You are just as much an alpha as I am and could do it yourself if you just would. I know you have it in you somewhere, but that young woman makes me want to skin something alive."

“It’s okay, Grandmother. I understand that you had no intention of offending me and I am not in any way. If you have no other needs that I can help you with, then I will leave for work now.” I know she doesn’t mean it badly, but I feel small. That is the only word I can find to describe it.

Even my mother was an alpha before her passing. I’m just nothing. That is what it feels like.

She inhales deeply and lets out a long, heavy sigh. "No, that will be all. I'll be fine until you arrive tonight. Just don’t wear yourself out again.”

With a wave of my hand, I also give a small nod of my head. "I'll see you then. I love you."

"Oh, honey, I love you too."

My legs tremble as I make my way up to her front door to leave. Some of it is because I’m shaken by my thoughts, but the other part of me knows what I’m about to do. I grab my crimson cloak and secure it around my throat before moving on.

Taking my time, I slowly open the door, carefully peeking out, hoping that I won’t draw the attention of the beast. Although everything initially appears to be in order, I'm always wary because this is how it usually starts. The monster is unpredictable and you never know when he will decide to make his move.

Slowly and cautiously, I step onto the porch, one foot in front of the other. The stillness of the woods envelops me as I begin my journey to the center of the village.

At first, I think to myself that it might be asleep, but then I realize I don’t know if that is true. Who knows if he ever sleeps? He has attacked at all times of day and night, so no one truly knows anything about him.

As I cross the small yard before the path between the woods, I don’t hear anything, so my nerves calm down. I am still keeping my guard up and paying close attention to any sound that emerges from the woods. Once I start in between the trees, I can hear the birds singing a sweet melody and the squirrels barking as they go about their day.

He has to be asleep.

Maybe my wolf is right, and this thing is asleep. The woods are so alive today. Once again, I scan my surroundings, but I can’t detect anything strange.

As I take a few more steps forward, the village is in view, but just as I feel I'm nearing the end of the journey, something snaps off to the right of the path.

It's just thirty feet from start to finish. We can make it.

I take one step in front of the other, never allowing my eyes to stray away from the village. The animals that were just recently filled with energy and life have become quiet, and I know that the beast is now near.

The sound of heavy breathing momentarily distracts me, and I stumble in my steps. No, no, no, we are so close.

As I increase my pace, it feels as if the basket gets heavier and more difficult to manage while I am jogging. With every step I take, I can hear branches being snapped off one after the other, leading me to believe the monster is right on my heels.

Ten feet to go. Come on.

Terror fills my body as I bolt through the trees, with the creature chasing after me with every step.

As I come into the clearing where the village is, the footfalls stop, and I suck in a breath. I swiftly turn around to see if I can make out the shape of the monster this time, yet all I can see is the lush greenery of the woods.

There's nothing there.

"Lillian! Get yourself over here. You're almost late and this won't do.” Corbin's voice echoes from the front porch of the alpha's house.

As I stand here with my shoulders slumping, I raise my hand to my forehead and stroke the sweat beading on my skin. "Great, just great."

With a composed voice, I call to Corbin, hoping he won't become too worked up, and let him know that I just need to leave my basket at my house.

“You must come over here immediately and there is no excuse for delaying it any further. The state of these floors is extremely unpleasant and disgusting.” Corbin attempts to intimidate me by crossing his arms tightly across his chest. However, it does not have the desired effect.

Despite my wolf being more dominant than his, I refuse to make that known to him. To keep the peace, I bow my head as I usually do to avoid any potential conflict. I press the basket more firmly against my arm and make my way towards him. There is no point in saying or doing anything else.

"That's right, Lillian. Who do you work for?” He asks as I walk up the steps to his home. His piercing gaze is on me, which irritates me.

"Your father,” I murmur quietly as I pass by.

He huffs out a breath and balls his hands into fists, his knuckles turning white, but says nothing more.