Fated In Moonlight

Abigail’s POV.

The wind sang through the ancient pines of Forest Haven like it always did at dusk, carrying the scent of cedar, damp earth, and distant rain. I stood on the highest training platform, boots planted wide, sweat cooling on my skin after three straight hours of sparring. My auburn hair usually a wild mane, was braided tight against my scalp.

I ran my fingers along the thin scar that ran from my left temple to the corner of my jaw absently, — a souvenir from a vampire who’d gotten too close last winter.

Rolling my shoulders I felt the familiar burn of muscles that had been forged in battle and blessed by the Forest Goddess herself.

The power hummed quietly beneath my ribs — the gift of creation. With a thought I could coax vines from barren soil, shape living wood into spears, or weave a barrier of thorns that would shred an enemy to ribbons.

Right now, though, the gift felt muted. Everything felt muted, because Freya was sleeping.

The memory surged hot and painful, Darius and his betrayal fresh in my mind, as I fought to control the tears pricking my eyes.

My bear spirit had curled deep inside me months ago and refused to wake. No amount of meditation, offerings, or even the Goddess' own whispered dreams had stirred her.

I told myself it was temporary. I told myself I didn’t miss the constant low growl of my other half, the way Freya’s instincts had always sharpened my own. I lied to myself every single day.

“Lead Warrior... Miss Blackthorne"

The young scout, barely eighteen, bowed low from the ladder. His eyes were wide with the kind of respect that still made me uncomfortable.

I shook my thoughts free and focused on him with a nod and a smile.

“Message came through the secure line. A wolf pack called 'New Moon. Two days travel by land. Their Alpha needs immediate assistance training their warriors. Rogues and vampires have been testing the borders.

They… they want us. How should I respond?"

A ripple of surprise moved through the handful of warriors still on the platform. Wolves asking bears for help? That was like a cat asking a dog to babysit.

I wiped my hands on a cloth and accepted the tablet the scout offered. The message was brief, professional, and signed Alexei Voss, Alpha, New Moon Pack. I read it twice.

Most wolf packs were insular to the point of paranoia. They handled their problems internally or not at all. For an Alpha to reach outside his species, especially to bears, meant the situation was bad. Or he was smart.

A smile formed, I like smart.

“Fine, I’ll go,” I said.

The scout blinked. “You, Lead Warrior? Personally?”

“My warriors are already stretched thin with the European contracts. I can handle a few weeks of training wolves.” I handed the tablet back. “Tell them I leave at first light. And have someone prep my bike.”

The sleek black-and-red Harley Fat Boy waited in the lower garage like a sleeping dragon. Red pinstriping curled along the tank like fresh blood on obsidian. Tribal runes — my own design — glowed faintly under the right light thanks to a little creative magic.

I'd named her Shadowstride. The bike had carried me through three continents and more close calls than I cared to count.

That night I packed light: two changes of clothes, my reinforced leather jacket, twin daggers blessed by the Goddess, a compact rifle, and the small wooden bear carved by my grandmother that I never travelled without.

I left my heavier armour behind. If the wolves needed me to fight, I could create what I needed on the spot.

Dinner was as I expected papa was not happy. He wanted me to stay especially right now.

"Little Bear its to risky with Freya asleep you're to vulnerable right now and what if someone learns of your gift, we can't protect you if you aren't here".

"Papa I'll be fine there's a reason I'm our best okay, I'll check in every day and I can handle myself".

I give him a kiss and stand to leave ending his argument "I love you both" I smile at them and Mama gives me a bone cracking hug.

"Stay safe little bear okay" She says and I kissed her cheek as well then ran upstairs to pack.

I slept poorly. Dreams of blue eyes and the distant rumble of a predator kept me restless all night.

The ride north took two full days.

I loved every mile of it.

I cut through misty valleys and climbed twisting mountain roads, the Harley’s engine a steady thunder beneath me. That night I camped under the stars, letting the forest wrap around me like an old friend.

Freya remained silent, but the land itself still answered my quiet calls — a ring of protective mushrooms sprang up around my sleeping bag, and the fire I'd built never needed tending.

On the second evening, the air changed.

I crossed an invisible line and felt it in my bones: wolf territory. Scent markers. Howls carried on the wind. The New Moon Pack’s lands were beautiful — dense pine forest giving way to open meadows dotted with wildflowers. A river glittered in the distance. Healthy. Prosperous. Not the kind of place that usually needed outside help.

Two wolves in human form stepped onto the road ahead of me, blocking the way. Both tall, both armed, both watching me with the wary curiosity of predators who’d scented something not-quite-prey.

I killed the engine and swung off the bike in one smooth motion. I pulled my helmet free, letting my braid tumble down my back.

“Abigail Blackthorne of Forest Haven,” I said, voice calm and carrying. “Your alpha requested my presence.”

The taller guard’s nostrils flared.

“Bear.”

“Last time I checked.”

He studied me for a long moment, then gave a short nod. “Alpha Alexei is expecting you. Follow us. And… welcome to New Moon.”

The packhouse rose out of the trees like it had grown there. A sprawling lodge of dark timber and river stone, two stories, with wide porches and warm golden light spilling from every window. Laughter drifted from somewhere inside.

Pups chased each other across the lawn. No one cowered. No one flinched when higher-ranked wolves passed. The air tasted of safety and pack bonds done right.

I parked Shadowstride and followed the guards up the wide front steps.

Inside the great hall was full.

Conversation died the second I stepped inside.

Every eye turned toward me — the stranger, the bear, the woman who rode a Harley into wolf country like she owned the road. I kept my chin high and my expression neutral, the same face I wore before walking into any negotiation or battlefield.

A man rose from the head table.

Alexei Voss.

He was taller than I'd expected — easily six-four — with broad shoulders that strained the seams of a charcoal Henley. Black hair fell across his forehead in a way that looked careless but probably wasn’t. Ice-blue eyes locked on mine and held.

For one heartbeat the world narrowed to just that gaze. Something inside my chest gave a strange, hollow thump.

Nothing.

No spark. No pull. No instinctive recognition that this man was mine.

Freya slept on, silent and dreaming.

I felt a flicker of disappointment I refuse to name and incline my head respectfully.

“Alpha Alexei. I’m Abigail Blackwood. Lead Warrior of Forest Haven. I’m here to help train your people.”

I flick my eyes up to see the alpha, frozen on the spot his eyes wide and nostrils flared, he seemed to falter before catching himself.

His voice was low, rough around the edges, like velvet dragged over gravel. “We’re grateful you came, Lead Warrior. I’m Alexei. This is my beta, Thomas.”

A lean, intense man with dark brown hair and hazel eyes stepped forward. He didn’t smile, but his nod was genuine. “Thank you for answering the call. We don’t usually… ask for help.”

“Which is why I came,” I said simply.

A petite woman with fiery red hair and a grin that could cut glass bounced forward. “I’m Lilly — gamma, occasional pain in the alpha’s ass, and head of pack morale and medical. You’re even taller in person. I like it.”

My mouth twitched upwards. “I like you already Lilly.”

Then the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.

A blonde woman in a tight crimson sweater appeared at Alexei’s side like she’d materialized from thin air. She slid her arm through his with practiced ease, pressing her curves against him. Blue eyes raked me from head to toe and found me wanting.

“Cindy.” She said, voice sweet as poisoned honey. “I help keep the alpha… settled. You’re the bear they sent... How… rustic.”

I let the insult slide off me like rain. I'd faced vampires with better insults.

Alexei gently but firmly disentangled himself. “Cindy, Abi is our guest and will be treated with respect.” His tone left no room for argument, though Cindy’s pout said she wanted to try anyway.

Dinner was served family-style. I sat between Lilly and Thomas, across from Alexei. The food was excellent — venison stew, fresh bread, roasted vegetables from the pack gardens. Conversation flowed easily once the initial tension eased. I learned that New Moon had lost several border guards to rogue attacks in the last month. Vampire scouts had been spotted twice. The rogues were organized, coordinated in ways that felt wrong.

“We’re strong,” Alexei said, meeting my eyes across the table. “But our training methods are… traditional. We need fresh eyes. New tactics. Your clan’s reputation for producing warriors who can fight anything is legendary.”

I took a sip of water. “We fight for coin, but we choose our contracts. I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think your pack was worth helping.”

Something warm flickered in those ice-blue eyes. Approval. Respect.

And still — nothing from Freya.

Later, after most of the pack had drifted away, Alexei walked me to the guest suite on the second floor. The hallway was quiet, lit by soft wall sconces.

“You didn’t have to escort me,” I said.

“I wanted to.” He stopped outside my door. “I felt… something, when you walked in. Did you feel anything?”

I looked at him — really looked. Strong jaw shadowed with stubble. Mouth that looked like it could be stern or devastatingly gentle. Shoulders that could carry the weight of an entire pack and still have room for more.

I waited for a bond to answer.

Silence.

“I felt respect,” I said honestly. “And curiosity. Your pack is… different. Better. I can see why they follow you.”

He studied me for a long moment, something like confusion crossing his face before he smoothed it away. “Get some rest, Lead Warrior. Tomorrow we start early. Thomas and Lilly will show you the training grounds.”

“Goodnight, Alpha.”

“Alexei.” he corrected quietly. “When it’s just us.”

I gave him a small smile. “Goodnight, Alexei.”

Inside the guest room I closed the door, leaned back against it, and let out a slow breath.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I'd met plenty of attractive alphas. None of them had made my chest feel hollow.

I stripped, showered, and slipped into soft sleep pants and a tank. The bed was huge and comfortable. I stared at the ceiling for a long time.

Somewhere deep inside, Freya stirred — the tiniest flicker, like a bear shifting in her den.

"Soon." Her sleepy voice whispered in the back of my mind. "Not yet. But soon."

I closed my eyes. "Freya?" I reached for her but got no response, with more than a little sadness I settled into the bed

Outside, a wolf howled — long, low, and mournful.

The sound soothed me in a way I couldn't name and sleep came quickly after that.