ch2 Th Bond of wolf

---

Chapter 2: The Bond of the Wolf

---

Chapter 2: The Bond of the Wolf

Yun Xi awoke at dawn, the faint glow of the sunrise spilling through the gaps in the thatched roof. For a moment, she almost believed she was home, tucked in her warm bed with the city skyline outside her window. But as her eyes adjusted, the rough wooden walls and the scent of earth and wildflowers jolted her back to reality.

She was still here. In this world of beasts.

She took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart. Memories of the previous day flooded back—Kael’s golden eyes, Rion’s teasing smile, and the weight of the prophecy pressing down on her shoulders. She was the Moon-Blessed One, fated to bind herself to four powerful beastmen. The idea still felt unreal, like something out of a fever dream.

Pushing aside the thick fur blanket, she rose to her feet. Her legs felt unsteady, but she forced herself to move. She couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now.

Outside the hut, the village was already alive with activity. Warriors with furred limbs and clawed hands moved through the clearing, carrying bundles of wood and fresh meat. Children chased each other between the huts, their laughter bright and wild. Yun Xi watched them with a pang of longing—such simple joy, so far from her own confusion and fear.

“Little one.”

She turned at the sound of Kael’s voice. He stood just beyond the doorway, his towering frame casting a long shadow across the ground. He wore a simple leather harness across his broad chest, and a thick pelt was draped across his shoulders. His eyes were the same molten gold that had haunted her dreams.

“Come,” he said, holding out a hand. “You must eat.”

Yun Xi hesitated, her fingers curling against her palms. But she saw no malice in his gaze, only a steady calm that drew her in despite her fear. She stepped forward and placed her hand in his. His grip was warm, strong, and reassuring.

He led her to a low wooden table in the center of the village, where platters of roasted meat and fresh fruit had been laid out. The scent made her stomach growl, and Kael’s lips twitched in amusement.

“You have the hunger of a cub,” he said, guiding her to sit beside him.

Yun Xi flushed. “I haven’t eaten since I arrived,” she muttered, feeling the heat of his gaze on her.

Kael tore off a piece of roasted meat and handed it to her. “Eat. You must be strong to survive here.”

She accepted it with trembling hands, taking a tentative bite. The meat was tender and savory, the juices spilling across her tongue. It was unlike anything she’d tasted before—rich, primal, and satisfying.

As she ate, she couldn’t help but notice the way the other villagers watched them. Their eyes were curious, some openly staring, others whispering behind their hands. Yun Xi shifted uncomfortably, but Kael’s steady presence kept her anchored.

“They’re curious about you,” he said, his voice low. “Human females are rare here. Sacred.”

“So you keep saying,” she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. “But what does that mean? Why am I so important?”

Kael’s gaze turned serious. “Because you are the Moon-Blessed One. The one who will bring balance to our tribes. Each of the four primal leaders—myself, Rion, Aren, and Lian—are destined to be your mates. Together, we will unite the tribes and ensure peace.”

Yun Xi swallowed hard. “But I didn’t ask for this,” she said softly. “I was just… an ordinary girl.”

Kael’s expression softened, and he reached out to brush his knuckles against her cheek. “Perhaps in your world, you were ordinary. But here, you are extraordinary. The spirits chose you.”

She didn’t know how to respond. The weight of his words settled over her like a cloak, heavy and suffocating.

“Come,” Kael said, rising to his feet. “There is much for you to see.”

---

🐺 The Moonfang Territory

Kael led her through the village, the early morning light casting everything in a warm, golden glow. The air was alive with the scent of pine and earth, and Yun Xi could hear the distant roar of a waterfall.

As they walked, Kael pointed out various structures— the warriors’ training grounds, the communal hearth where the women prepared food, and the sacred grove at the edge of the forest.

“This is our home,” he said, pride in his voice. “The Moonfang Tribe has lived here for generations, bound to the forest and the spirits who dwell within it.”

Yun Xi listened, her eyes wide with wonder. She had never seen such harmony between people and nature. Even the children played among the trees like cubs in a den, their laughter echoing through the woods.

Kael paused at the edge of the sacred grove, his hand resting on the rough bark of an ancient oak. “This is where we honor the spirits,” he said quietly. “The forest is alive, and it watches over us.”

Yun Xi stepped closer, her fingers brushing the mossy trunk. She felt a strange warmth there, a pulse of life that seemed to echo her own heartbeat.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Kael turned to her, his golden eyes intense. “It is. And it is yours now, as much as it is ours.”

She looked up at him, her breath catching at the fierce tenderness in his gaze. “Kael… I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can be what you need me to be.”

He cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “You are stronger than you know, Yun Xi. The spirits do not choose lightly. They saw something in you—a light that can guide us.”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch despite herself. His warmth was a balm against the fear and confusion churning inside her.

“Trust yourself,” he murmured. “And trust me.”

---

🌒 The Bonding Ritual

That evening, Kael led her back to the sacred grove. The sun had set, and the forest was bathed in silver light from the full moon above. Warriors gathered around a roaring fire, their faces solemn.

Kael stood beside her, his presence steady and commanding. “Tonight, we honor the spirits and forge the first bond,” he said. “The bond of the wolf.”

Yun Xi’s heart raced. She didn’t fully understand what was happening, but the air was thick with anticipation. She could feel it in her bones, the weight of destiny pressing down on her.

Kael stepped forward, his golden eyes never leaving hers. “Yun Xi, do you accept the bond of the wolf? To be protected and cherished as my mate?”

Her breath caught. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to deny this impossible fate. But deep down, something else stirred—a flicker of belonging, of purpose.

“I… I accept,” she whispered.

Kael’s lips curved in a rare smile, and he reached for her hand. Together, they stepped into the circle of light cast by the fire. The warriors began to chant, their voices a low, rhythmic hum that resonated in her chest.

Kael knelt before her, pressing his forehead to the back of her hand. “By the spirits of the forest, I claim you as mine,” he said, his voice a vow. “You are my moon, my heart.”

A sudden warmth spread through her, a pulse of energy that wrapped around her like a cloak. She gasped, feeling the bond settle into place—an invisible tether linking her to him.

Kael rose and cupped her face, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. The world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them in the moonlit grove.

When they parted, Yun Xi’s heart was racing. She felt different—stronger, more alive. The bond between them hummed with power, a promise that she would never be alone.

Kael rested his forehead against hers. “You are mine, Yun Xi. And I am yours.”

She closed her eyes, letting the words wash over her. In that moment, she knew there was no going back.

---

End of Chapter 2.

---

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***