MOONLIT SENSATIONS; FERAL HEARTS, FATED MATES

Ashley’s POV~

As I sprinted in the woods, my heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't shake the feeling that they were closing in.

My hearing heightened as their pondering footsteps increased.

They were two in total— Heavily inked men with broad chest, hardened face and towering heights, chasing after me with sheer determination.

My heartbeat sped up and I could feel exhaustion pulling at my limbs, a testament to my lack of endurance, but I refused to let it consume me, pushing forward with every ounce of determination.

“Come back here, you skank!” One of the men yelled, his voice low and dangerous, sending chills down my spine.

My legs pumped furiously, a primal urge to survive drove within me.

“If you don't come here, you'll be a dead meat once we have you in our hands,” Another hoarse voice cut through the silence, but the threat in it only propelled me to run faster.

Panic set in and I could feel my heart racing as I imagined the irritating victorious smirk that would decorate their faces if I was caught in their grasp.

If they have me, then I'll as well have to kiss my freedom goodbye.

It's not a safe world, especially for us females. We are often sold into breeding houses.

Men force some into pleasure homes existing solely for their enjoyment, and most of us face terrible abuse in exchange for protection.

The sky rumbled with thick dark clouds congregating in the sky.

Sharp booming sound erupted along with lightning flashes, sending chills down my spine.

“Hurry up, Thor, Chase her and bring her to us. We mustn't let her go.”

A lump formed in my throat as those words came out, raw and menacing.

I could feel my heavy breathing in sync with my heartbeat as they chased after me like a bullet. I threw the herbs I was holding on the floor, not caring if they were needed.

My pack members had sent me to collect some herbs in the Woodland Forest.

Although I had no clue why they needed it, I felt it would have been best if they hadn't let me go alone.

The woodland forest is one of the most dangerous places to be. Women are never allowed to go there alone because they're mostly victims of wild animals, trafficking, assault and kidnapping.

I know the pack members always despise me because they believed I was cursed, but could they have sent me here just to get rid of me?

The leaves rustled as I trampled on them.

I groaned as a sharp thorn pierced my right arm, causing blood to come out in small droplets. I've gone this far and I couldn't give up. Not now, not this time.

“TAKE HER!!” The determined roar echoed in the woods once again, causing me to shudder.

I tripped over a loose branch and plunged forward.

Seeing how close they were, I rolled down the gully with my body, the debris and grasses welcoming me.

To my surprise, the two men followed me down the gully, their paces increasing.

I tried standing up when I got to the base, but unfortunately for me, one of them caught me.

“Found her!” Thorr, the one with blonde hair, smiled victoriously as he informed his cohort, a mischievous grin on his face.

Gritting my teeth, I struggled to rip my hand out of his grasp, but my efforts were futile as he was way stronger than me.

“Let-me-go!” I implored, my voice shaking with desperation but he sneered at me, his eyes flicking with amusement.

“You’re not going anywhere. You're coming with us and you'll do exactly as we say,” He growled, his grip tightening around my wrist, causing it to redden.

Fresh tears streamed down my cheeks when the other man approached us.

I've always heard of ladies being sold, exploited, and traded. I never knew it would happen to me.

Only the Moon goddess knows what they would do to me.

“You're such a beauty, aren't you?” The lanky one among them with a crooked smile said as he slid his fingers into my hair.

I s*ck*d in a deep breath as I stared at him with disdain, my teeth biting into my lower lip.

A knot formed in my stomach and I could feel my skin crawl as he trailed his fingers on my skin.

I thought of ways to protect myself–to fight them, but I came up empty-headed.

My wolf is perpetually weakened, so they'd definitely defeat me without even lifting a finger.

“Tie her up! We shall take her to our kingdom. Ari needs new slaves. We'll get a handsome reward because of her beauty.. She has everything he needs,”

His words sent a wave of shock through me and I shuddered as his lustful stares seared into my skin, making my breath hung in my throat.

“Leave me! Please, Let me go!!” My breath came in short ragged gasps as I screamed in protest but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Oh Moon goddess. Is this my fate? Will I be taken? Just like this.

The sky rumbled once more, as if it could feel my agony.

Just then, I heard howls from a distance.

The men paused, exchanging glances at each other.

“What could that be?” One of them asked as he darted his eyes around.

“It's just mountain wolves and nothing much. Let's keep moving. It's about to rain,”

The howls kept coming from the distance and I knew that some people were close by.

I had only one option – Scream and alert anyone approaching so they could save me..

“HELP!” I cried louder, and this made the men enraged.

Before they could tie my mouth with a cloth, two huge white wolves emerged from the forest, sprinting towards the four men around me.

They shifted into their human form, their claws retracting into fingers with their fur receding into skin.

I gasped at the sight of the two strange men in leather jackets and rugged pants.

They seemed to radiate confidence, and I wondered who exactly they were.

“I see you're all good at torturing women. Why don't you try to get us first?” One of the men spoke as he turned his head, while the other cracked his knuckles.

Tension lingered in the air and a war clash occurred.

The two men who had appeared out of nowhere growled as they attacked my pursuers with their bare hands, plunging their fingers into their chests and extracting their hearts. In the blink of an eye, my pursuers were defeated.

A shiver ran down my spine at the gruesome sight: the men who had chased me lay motionless in a pool of their own blood, their chests torn open, hearts ripped out.

I shuddered as the two rescuers’ gaze drifted towards me..

I couldn't move, think, or do anything, as shock rooted me to a spot.

Their gazes made me feel small. I had no clue whether to thank them or express my utter relief.

When one of them sighted the mark on my collarbone, he narrowed his eyes before whispering the word, “That mark!’

He approached me while I retraced my steps, concealing the mark with my fingers.

“Mate!” He whispered, his words hitting me like a force.

I inspected his face, their faces, and that was when it hit me — They were the Alpha twins from Ophelia Pack. Kieran and Kai Ravenwood.

They're Lycans and are known to be ruthless, feral and brutal. I've heard about how victorious they are in every battle. People claim that one look from them is enough to bring a streak of bad luck.

“You - you're our mate. She's our mate, Kieran,” the green-eyed one spoke with a tone of surprise in his voice as he shifted his gaze to his twin brother.

I shook my head and clutched my fabric as their words sank in. They stepped closer with their eyes locked onto mine and for a moment, I felt it– that strange undeniable pull between us, one that grew stronger with every passing moments.

The bond hums with great intensity, like a thread tying us together, fragile but unbreakable.

No. It's not possible. I can't be their mate.

They'll probably kill me when they realize I'm cursed..

“You're our Mate.” They chorused, eyes wide with surprise.

“N -no” I whispered, shaking my head. But even as I say the words, I feel the weight of the bond between us grow heavier.

Before they could say anything, I turned around and took to my heels, my movements fast and deliberate.

“We can't let her go!!” I heard their voices, loud and clear, with a hint of determination in it.

As they chased after me, I sprinted with every last ounce of strength in me.

I'm deeply grateful for their timely intervention but It's just not possible that I'm their mate.

My life is already complicated, and I don’t want to complicate it further. I'm sure they're mistaken. I can’t be their mate.

Ashley's POV

The first thing I did when my eyes fluttered open was to sit up in the maid's quarters, the place I often sleep at in the pack. I got to my feet and rubbed off the slumber and dizziness I felt.

After escaping from the twin Alphas, I managed to sneak into the pack late last night. I still couldn't believe they called me their mate. Although, I wouldn't deny that I felt a special bond with them but I found it impossible to be their mate.

Panic set in as soon as the door creaked.

I rubbed my clammy hands together when I recalled how I had flung the herb away while escaping from those men yesterday.

Now I'm nervous–not because of the herb I threw away but because of the punishment I'd receive from the pack members.

They have always despised me because they felt I was cursed. My parents died when I was born and I had a strange mark on my neck–one our sorceress said was the Devil's Kiss, a sign o