Moonbound Fate

Sumaya's heart pounded against her ribs as the two massive wolves locked eyes with her. She froze, every muscle in her body stiff with fear. What now? Would she be their next target? Was this the part where she became their next meal? Now I understand why this forest was restricted.

The freed wolf took a slow, deliberate step toward her. Sumaya squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself. This is it. I'm about to be a wolf's delicacy.

But instead of sharp teeth sinking into her skin, something wet and warm brushed against her cheek. Her eyes snapped open. The brown wolf was licking her.

Okay… what's going on? A nervous, awkward chuckle escaped her lips before she could stop it. She didn't know whether to be relieved or even more terrified.

Is it tasting me before taking a bite? Testing the flavor first?

Sumaya sat stiffly on the ground, afraid to move a muscle. Just stay still. Maybe they'll think you're already dead and lose interest. Wolves don't eat lifeless meat, right? Oh, who am I kidding? she thought, feeling the sting of tears welling up.

The brown wolf sniffed her, its wet nose brushing against her arm. Great, now it's checking if I smell good enough to eat. What have I gotten myself into?

Before she could panic any further, a sharp bark cut through the moment.

Her breath caught as the black wolf—the one that had sent the hunters running—let out a deep, rumbling growl. It's piercing golden eyes locked onto the other wolf, burning with something unreadable. The brown wolf immediately backed away from Sumaya, almost as if it had been scolded.

Sumaya barely had time to process this before the black wolf's golden gaze shifted to her. She felt her breath hitch.

There was something mesmerizing about its eyes—deep, intense, and filled with secrets she wouldn't mind unraveling. They weren't just golden; they shimmered, catching the light in a way that made her feel as if she were being drawn in, sinking helplessly into their depths, as though they could consume her whole.

And for some reason… she wouldn't mind staring into them forever.

For a second, she forgot to be afraid. The black wolf took slow, deliberate steps toward her. She considered holding her breath. Maybe if she didn't breathe, she'd seem even more lifeless. But this wolf… it didn't seem like it would fall for that.

It stopped just inches away, tilting its massive head slightly, as if studying her. Then, to her absolute horror, it leaned in even closer.

Sumaya felt the blood drain from her face. This is it. The big one wants the first bite. But instead—its hot tongue swiped across her face. Again. And again. It was licking her.

What in the gigantic wolf is happening now?

She sat frozen, stiff as a board, as the enormous black wolf continued its unexpected assault with its tongue, covering her face in slobber. Are they planning to lick me to death or what?!

When she didn't react, the black wolf let out a deep, sorrowful whimper.

The sound startled her. It carried an unexpected sadness—almost pleading—and stirred something deep in her chest. Then, to her utter disbelief, the black wolf lowered its massive head onto her lap.

She stiffened further. It nudged her hand with its cold nose, letting out another small whine. Sumaya swallowed hard. Is it… asking me to pet it?

Sumaya hesitated, her fingers twitching. Slowly, cautiously, she reached out and touched the wolf's head, barely grazing the soft fur.

The moment her fingers sank into its thick coat, a shiver ran down her spine. The fur was unbelievably soft, like the smoothest silk layered over thick, plush warmth. It was dense, yet cloud-like, her fingertips sinking into it so effortlessly that it almost felt unreal. Heat radiated from the wolf's body, and for some reason, the warmth comforted her.

The wolf immediately perked up, tail giving the slightest wag. It let out a pleased huff and nudged her again, as if encouraging her to keep going. Sumaya flinched at the sudden movement, but the wolf only let out another sad whimper.

After a beat, she swallowed her fear and patted its head again. This time, the wolf stayed still, closing its golden eyes as she ran her fingers through its thick fur.

A deep, pleased rumble vibrated from the wolf's chest. She stroked its head more firmly, smoothing the fur between its ears. It was even softer there, like strands of velvet gliding between her fingers. The sensation was soothing, oddly enjoyable, and she found herself tracing patterns in its fur without thinking.

The wolf practically melted into her touch, pressing its huge head against her hand like an oversized puppy. Sumaya couldn't help it—she laughed.

"Aren't you a good boy?" she murmured, her voice still shaky, as if she were petting a normal dog and not a wolf the size of a small horse.

The wolf responded by licking her face again. She giggled, the tension in her chest loosening. "Yes, yes, I saved your friend," she said in amusement. The wolf tilted its head and barked playfully.

"Okay, fine, we saved him together," Sumaya said, as if she understood what the wolf was saying.

The wolf licked her face again, drawing more giggles from her. Warmth blossomed in her chest, a strange but welcome contrast to the fear she had felt moments ago. The way the wolf nuzzled against her, seeking comfort, seeking her—it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. For the first time in her life, she felt… wanted.

A sharp bark from the brown wolf broke the moment. The black wolf immediately pulled away, ears twitching. Sumaya frowned as the two wolves exchanged looks. The brown wolf tilted its head slightly, as if waiting.

The black wolf let out a small whine before stepping back. Without another sound, the two wolves turned and bounded into the woods, disappearing into the dense trees.

Sumaya sat there, dazed. What… just happened? Her mind struggled to process everything that had just happened.

Then—reality slammed back into her. It was already late at night. "Oh, shit!" she gasped, scrambling to her feet.

She grabbed her fallen backpack, shaking off the dirt. With one last glance toward the direction the wolves had disappeared into, she turned and took off running.

→→→→→→→

The two wolves darted through the dense forest, their powerful limbs propelling them forward with effortless speed.

Leaves rustled and twigs snapped beneath their paws as they maneuvered through the terrain, muscles coiling and releasing like tightly-wound springs.

After several minutes of running, they reached a secluded clearing where a large duffle bag sat nestled between the gnarled roots of an ancient oak tree. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows over the ground.

Without hesitation, the brown wolf stepped forward first, his chest heaving from the exertion. His body began to tremble, muscles rippling under his thick fur as the transformation overtook him.

A deep, bone-chilling crack echoed through the quiet night as his spine stretched, limbs elongating with a grotesque fluidity. Fur receded into his skin like water withdrawing from the shore, claws retracting into slender, human fingers. His snout shortened, reshaping into a youthful face, sharp and striking, with a mouth now void of lethal fangs.

In mere moments, where the wolf had once stood, there was now a boy—handsome and lean, appearing around sixteen or seventeen. Tousled brown hair fell into his eyes, which were bright and alert, his breath ragged from the shift but his stance unwavering.

Beside him, the black wolf followed suit. His transformation was just as fluid—only more intense. Shadows almost seemed to cling to him as his powerful frame contorted, the dense, jet-black fur dissolving into smooth, tanned skin. His ears rounded into human shape, his golden eyes—now even more mesmerizing in human form—remained locked in a piercing gaze.

Standing tall, the newly transformed black-haired boy exuded an intimidating presence. He was beyond handsome, with chiseled features and a sharp jawline, his golden eyes burning with intensity. Though he and his companion looked like age-mates, his very aura demanded authority.

Without a word, the black-haired boy strode toward the duffle bag, ripping it open with a force that bordered on violent. The sound of the zipper tearing through the silence was as sharp as his gaze. He rummaged through it aggressively, grabbing clothes and tossing them toward the brown-haired boy, who caught them easily without complaint.

They both began dressing quickly, the clearing filled only with the rustle of fabric. The brown-haired boy moved with practiced ease, slipping into his clothes with a calm efficiency. In contrast, the black-haired boy's motions were rigid, brimming with barely-contained anger. His fingers yanked his shirt over his head, muscles tensed beneath the fabric. He shoved his legs into his pants with aggressive force, jaw clenched as though the act of dressing itself was a battle.

The silence between them was thick, laden with unspoken tension. It stretched taut until, finally, the brown-haired boy—now fully dressed—stepped closer. His companion knelt, lacing his boots with a ferocity that spoke of deeper frustrations.

After a brief hesitation, the brown-haired boy finally spoke, his voice soft yet clear in the silence.

"What was that all about, Your Highness?"