Page 38 of Moon's Call

Lorelei nodded, her throat tight. If only they knew just how different Draken’s world really was.

Lorelei’s heelsclicked against the sidewalk as she made her way home. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the warmth of the bar. The streetlamps cast shadows between the historic buildings she’d always admired. The Hanover Building’s art deco facade caught her eye - she’d referenced its elegant lines in three different projects.

Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth from behind. Her body tensed, ready to summon the earth’s power, but she caught herself as she glimpsed the beautiful limestone cornices above. One tremor could bring tons of carved stone crashing down on innocent passersby.

“Miss me?” Gideon’s voice slithered against her ear. “I’ve been waiting for you to leave your wolf prince’s protection.”

She twisted in his grip, managing to break free enough to speak. “How did you even know I left?”

“I have eyes everywhere. The pack isn’t as loyal to Draken as he thinks.” He spun her to face him, keeping a bruising grip on her arms. “Now, about those earth powers of yours...”

Lorelei’s gaze darted around the street. A couple walked past on the opposite sidewalk, completely oblivious. A taxi cruised by, its yellow paint gleaming under the streetlights. She could bring this whole block down with one focused thought - but at what cost?

“Smart girl,” Gideon said, noting her internal struggle. “You won’t risk hurting your precious buildings or these humans, will you? That’s the difference between you and me. I don’t care who gets hurt.”

“What do you want from me?” The words came out steady despite her racing heart.

“Your power. The ability to control earth itself.” His eyes gleamed with an unsettling hunger. “And you’re going to help me get it, or I’ll start taking down these architectural masterpieces you love so much, one by one.”

A group of teenagers were walking toward them. There would be mass casualties if she tried to fight here. She wouldn’t have the blood of these innocents on her hands. She had no choice but to surrender to him. For now.

“Fine,” she said, letting her shoulders slump in defeat. “I’ll go with you.”

“See? Humans are so easy to manipulate. All you need is the right leverage.” He steered her toward a waiting car. “Your wolf would have died fighting. But you? You cave at the first threat to some old stones.”

If this bastard thought she was relenting because of threats to some buildings, then let him think that. She’d get the upper hand soon enough.

Lorelei forced herself to stay still and calm as Gideon bound her wrists with rope and shoved her into the back seat of another black sedan. The rope bit into her wrists, but she focused on channeling her inner strategist. As they drove out of the city, a plan began forming in her mind.

“So tell me,” she said, injecting just the right amount of bitterness into her voice, “what’s your beef with Draken? Because honestly, that arrogant wolf can go howl at the moon alone for all I care.”

Gideon’s eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. “Oh? What happened to the precious Luna-to-be?”

“Please. He took one look at my human face and decided I wasn’t good enough.” She let out a convincing scoff. “Kept going on about how a human Luna would weaken the pack.”

“That sounds like Draken.” Gideon’s grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly. “Always so concerned with appearances and power. You know why he kicked me out? Because I couldn’t control my shifting perfectly. Like that makes me less of a wolf.”

“What a jerk,” Lorelei agreed while privately noting how Draken’s decision showed wisdom. An unpredictable shifter could endanger the entire pack.

“And get this - he called me unstable just because I got into a few fights. So what if I roughed up some packmates? They deserved it.”

With each revelation, Lorelei’s respect for Draken grew. He’d protected his pack from this loose cannon, made the hard choice even knowing it would create an enemy.

The city lights faded behind them as they wound into dense forest. Perfect. Her powers would be strongest here, surrounded by earth and stone. She just needed the right moment.

“You know what the worst part was?” Gideon continued. “He acted like he was doing me a favor. ‘This is for your own good, Gideon.’ Such a self-righteous bastard.”

“Totally,” Lorelei agreed absently, her mind elsewhere. The truth crystallized with stunning clarity - she belonged with Draken. Not just because fate said so, but because she chose it. Because he was exactly the kind of leader, protector, and mate she wanted.

Now she just had to escape this idiot and get back to him.

Trees pressed closer on both sides as they turned onto a dirt road. Lorelei hid her smile. Gideon couldn’t have picked a better location for what she had planned. She just had to bide her time and play this smart.

“Looks like we’re almost home,” Gideon said. “Ready to learn what real power feels like?”

“Can’t wait,” Lorelei lied, already cataloging the terrain around them. Somewhere in these woods, she’d find her opportunity.

EIGHTEEN

---