Chapter 00:17am
The time was 00:17.
The Kingdom of Eldar was quiet. Too quiet.
Like the whole castle was holding its breath for something it couldn't name.
Tomorrow was the full moon. The guards doubled. The gates locked.
And the stories my nanny told me as a kid suddenly didn't feel like stories anymore.
I was in my room, wrapped in a blanket, phone glowing in my face.
Sleep? Impossible.
Bored, I scrolled through my contacts.
Two names kept popping up.
*him* - Unknown number. No name. Just "him".
He texted me last week. Wrong number, he said. His replies were always short.
Cold. One word answers.
But sometimes, when it was late like this, he got... different.
Flirty. Dangerous. Like he was testing how far I'd go.
*Darian* - The Crown Prince of Eldar.
We grew up in the same halls. Same tutors. Same expectations.
He was all duty, golden hair, and that prince smile that could get you executed or married.
Safe. Predictable. Boring.
My thumb hovered over "him".
"Choco milo babe of a thing"
I giggled and hit send before I could overthink it.
Three dots.
A long pause.
Then:
*him:* Mmmmmmm for me actually not for you 😛
I rolled my eyes, but my heart did something stupid.
Cute.
Annoying.
I shouldn't reply.
I didn't know that in Eldar, words had weight.
I didn't know that "babe" wasn't just a nickname here.
I didn't know that someone was watching.
---
The next morning I was in the palace gardens. The roses were still wet with dew.
"You're up late again, Luna."
I turned. Darian.
Perfect posture. Crown pin in his collar. That look like he owned the air I breathed.
"Couldn't sleep," I said. "Royal duties keeping you up too?"
He shrugged, hands in his pockets. "Someone has to keep this kingdom in line. Especially with the moon tomorrow."
His eyes flicked to my phone in my hand. "Who are you texting at midnight?"
"Nobody," I lied too fast.
Darian laughed. It was soft, but there was no humor in it.
"Sure. Just don't fall for shadows, Luna. This kingdom has enough monsters wearing pretty words."
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
*him:* Sleep well, babe?
My blood went cold.
I hadn't told him my name.
Not once. Not in any of our texts.
"Problem?" Darian asked, watching me.
"No," I pocketed the phone. "Just spam."
He didn't look convinced. "Be careful tonight. Stay inside after dark."
Then he walked away, back straight, like the warning was an order.
I waited until he was gone. Then I pulled out my phone.
*Luna:* Who are you
Three dots immediately.
*him:* Someone who likes the way you say babe.
I stared at the screen. My hands were shaking.
*Luna:* Stop calling me that.
*him:* Make me.
---
I barely slept that day.
By 08:27 AM, sunlight was cutting through my curtains like knives.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Once. Twice.
Unknown number.
*him:* Good morning, babe.
No question.
No "did you sleep well".
Just fact. Like he was in the room with me.
My fingers were shaking as I typed back.
*Luna:* How do you know my name.
Three dots.
Then a photo.
It was me.
From last night.
Standing at my window, phone in hand, blanket around my shoulders.
Taken from outside. From the gardens.
My stomach dropped.
*him:* I know a lot of things about you, Luna.
*him:* Like how you taste when you're scared.
I threw the phone. It hit the rug.
The full moon was tonight.
And for the first time, the Kingdom of Eldar felt very, very small.
A knock at my door.
"Luna? It's Darian. Open up. Now."
I looked at the window.
Then at the door.
Somewhere between the prince and the monster, I had to choose.
But the worst part?
Part of me wanted to see which one got to me first.
*END OF CHAPTER 1*
*A/N: Hi besties 🥺👋*
Welcome to 'When The Werewolf Said Babe'!!
.l??
3. 🤔 Luna is me fr - risky texts at midnight, zero survival instincts 😂
The full moon is tonight in Eldar... and things are about to get risky.
Thank you for reading! Your votes and comments keep me writing 💙
- Your author 🌙🐺
P.S. If you liked the cover I made it on Canva!!
