A wave of gasps and growls rippled through the Shadow Moon pack. Kaia, still hidden in the shadows of the den, felt her own heart pounding in her chest. The audacity of this intruder, this Blood Moon wolf, to stride into their territory and declare such a thing!Ronan stepped forward, his voice a low growl that echoed through the clearing. "Who are you, who dares trespass on Shadow Moon land?"The Blood Moon wolf met Ronan's gaze without flinching. "I am Rhys," he announced, his voice ringing with authority, "son of Darius, Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. And I have come for what is mine."A collective gasp arose from the Shadow Moon wolves. Rhys. The Alpha heir. The one spoken of in the prophecy.Kaia felt a shiver run down her spine. This was him. Her destined mate. The enemy.Ronan's eyes narrowed. "You have no claim here, Rhys of Blood Moon. This is Shadow Moon territory, and we will not be dictated to by outsiders.""The prophecy binds us," Rhys countered, his silver eyes burning with an intensity that made Kaia's breath catch. "Kaia is my mate. I can feel it, just as she can."Kaia's head snapped up. He knew her name. And he claimed she could feel it too? Was he right? Was that strange pull, that undeniable connection, the truth of their fated bond?Ronan snarled, his fur bristling. "You will not lay a claw on my daughter, wolf. Leave now, or face the consequences."Rhys stood his ground, his gaze unwavering. "I will not leave without my mate."The tension in the clearing was palpable. The Shadow Moon wolves edged closer, their growls a low rumble of warning. A fight was imminent.Kaia knew she had to do something. She couldn't let a war erupt because of her. She stepped out of the shadows, her chin held high."I will speak with him," she announced, her voice clear and strong.Ronan whirled around, his eyes wide with surprise. "Kaia, no! It's too dangerous."Kaia met her father's gaze. "I have to do this, Father. For our pack."She walked towards Rhys, each step filled with a strange mix of trepidation and determination. As she drew closer, she could see the raw power radiating from him, the unwavering resolve in his silver eyes.He was everything she had expected – and more. He was dangerous, arrogant, and undeniably captivating."Rhys," she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "You cannot simply come here and demand me as your mate.""Why not?" he challenged, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. "The prophecy is clear. We are bound to each other.""Prophecy or not, I will not be forced into anything," Kaia retorted, her eyes flashing. "I am Kaia of Shadow Moon, and I will choose my own destiny."Rhys's lips curled into a smirk. "A defiant mate," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I like that."Kaia glared at him. "Don't mistake my defiance for acceptance," she warned. "I am not yours.""Not yet," Rhys corrected, his voice laced with confidence. "But you will be."