boundaries

"As they returned to the warmth of the house, she felt a strange mix of fear."

Fear clung to Luna like a second skin, even as the warmth of Alexander’s home wrapped around her. Every step she took felt heavy, as though each one was carrying her deeper into a world she didn’t want to know.

Alexander stayed quiet, watching her closely as he led her through the hallway and into the sitting room. The fire was still crackling, its soft glow casting shadows across the walls. She settled onto the edge of the same leather armchair from earlier, not fully able to relax despite the room’s inviting warmth.

Alexander took a seat across from her, his expression unreadable. He seemed almost at ease, as though he were accustomed to moments like this, to bringing strangers into his world and letting them wrestle with its realities.

“So,” he said, breaking the silence, “I know you have questions. Ask me what you need to understand. I’ll answer as best as I can.”

Luna’s eyes met his, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and curiosity. This was the chance she’d been waiting for, but now that it was here, she found herself hesitating, unsure where to begin. After a moment, she took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“Who… are you, really?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “And why are you helping me?”

Alexander’s expression softened slightly, his gaze thoughtful as he considered her question. “I suppose, for starters, you should know that I’m a shifter, as I told you before. Specifically, I’m the alpha of my pack. This area Willow’s Edge falls within our territory, and it’s my duty to keep it safe, including the humans who live here.”

He paused, his eyes never leaving hers. “As for why I’m helping you… you crossed into our territory tonight, and in doing so, you became my responsibility. I couldn’t ignore someone in danger, especially not with the Rogues lurking so close by.”

Luna frowned, trying to piece together his explanation. “But… why would Rogues be after me? I’m just an ordinary person.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened, a shadow passing over his face. “You may think you’re ordinary, Luna, but there’s something about you that draws them. They’re drawn to power, power they can use, twist, and manipulate. And somehow, they saw something in you that they want.”

Her heart raced as his words sank in. Power? She’d never thought of herself as anything special, let alone powerful. She felt as ordinary as anyone could be, a fact that had often frustrated her. But now, hearing this… it sent a shiver down her spine, as if her entire world had shifted in ways she couldn’t yet grasp.

She took a deep breath, her hands trembling. “And… if you’re a shifter, then what does that mean for me? Am I just… another human you’re protecting, or is there something more to all of this?”

Alexander’s gaze turned intense, his silver-gray eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite identify. “I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But I do know that you’re not just an ordinary human. There’s something about you that even I can’t quite place. Until we understand what that is, you need to stay close, where I can protect you.”

The weight of his words settled over her, pressing down like an invisible force. Part of her wanted to believe him, to trust that he could keep her safe. But the other part, the one that had learned to rely only on herself, resisted the idea of giving up control so completely.

She met his gaze, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I can trust you. I don’t even know if I can trust myself right now.”

He nodded, as if he’d expected her hesitation. “I understand. Trust isn’t something I expect from you overnight. But trust or not, the fact remains that you’re in danger, and leaving this house would only put you at risk.”

Luna clenched her hands in her lap, feeling torn between the fear of the unknown and the need to protect herself. Every instinct she had screamed at her to get out, to run, but Alexander’s calm presence held her in place, his words drawing her in despite herself.

Finally, she looked away, her gaze drifting to the fire. “Fine,” she murmured, almost to herself. “I’ll stay… for now.”

A hint of relief flickered across Alexander’s face, though he quickly masked it with his usual calm demeanor. “That’s all I ask,” he replied softly. “For now, try to get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss what we know and try to find a way to keep you safe.”

Luna nodded, exhaustion finally catching up to her as the adrenaline began to fade. Alexander stood, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he gestured toward the stairs. “Your room is still prepared. You’re safe here, Luna.”

She rose slowly, her mind swirling with everything she’d just learned. As she made her way up the stairs, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stepping deeper into a world she could never escape. The weight of Alexander’s gaze followed her up each step, and even as she closed the door to her room, the sense of his presence lingered.

Collapsing onto the bed, she lay staring at the ceiling, her mind refusing to settle. The idea of power, of something inside her that could attract creatures like the Rogues, was terrifying. She’d always felt so unremarkable, and now, to learn that there was something about her that these dangerous beings wanted…

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to sleep, but her mind wouldn’t quiet. The image of Alexander’s intense gaze haunted her, along with his words echoing in her head.

And somewhere, beneath all the fear, a small, stubborn part of her wondered: what if he was right? What if she was more than she’d ever thought possible?

But as she lay there, the thought brought no comfort only a chilling sense that her life would never be the same again.