Chapter 2 - Chapter 2. Moonlight Deceit.

"A moon curse?" Aubrey trembled voice when she repeated Alexander's haunting words.Thunder cracked, and the lights flickered overhead. Lily still clinging to his leg, looked up at her mother's wide and questioning eyes, She didn't understand the words but she felt the fear creeping into Aubrey's heart.Alexander nodded gravely, "Yes, my family's been bound to the lunar cycle for generations. Victor wants to exploit that power."Another rumble shook the apartment. The dim light caught Alexander eyes-they gleamed like embers, wild and haunted."Sweetheart, go to your room." Aubrey urged, trying to keep her voice steady. "Mommy needs to talk with Mr Blackwood."Lily hesitated, then nodded slowly and padded away, leaving Aubrey alone with Alexander - and the terrifying truth about him.When Lily closed the door, Aubrey turned to Alexander, her heart racing. "Explain the curse, and what Victor wants with my daughter."Alexander's expression turned grim. "The curse grants my family enhanced strength, speed, and mind control during full moons. Victor wants Lily because she might inherit your... latent lunar bloodline."Aubrey's mind reeled - latent lunar bloodline? Her mother used to whisper stories about ancient moon goddesses in their family history."What do you mean my bloodline? Aubrey demanded, her voice low and menacing.Alexander stepped closer, his eyes burning with intensity, "Your ancestors were guardians of the moon curse, Aubrey. Victor believes Lily could be the key to unlocking full power - so Victor can control."Aubrey felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "I'll never let that happen." she hissed, fists clenched.Alexander's gaze locked onto hers, "I'll help you protect Lily, Aubrey. But, you must trust me - and accept my help comes with... complications."Complications - Aubrey sensed he meant his werewolf nature and possibly something more. Something that drew her to him like a moth to flame."What kind of complications?" Aubrey asks slowly, her heart pounding in her chest.Alexander's eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of possession. "The kind that binds you to me, Aubrey. Forever."Aubrey's heart skipped a beat at Alexander's ominous words. "Forever?" she repeated her voice barely above a whisper.Alexander nodded slowly, his eyes burning with intensity. "Yes. Once you accept my help, Aubrey, you'll be entangled in my world - a world of moon curses, werewolf politics, and deadly secrets."Aubrey felt like she was drowning in his gaze, unsure if she was ready to plunge into such darkness. Yet, the thought of Victor harming Lily kept her rooted to the spot."What exactly does 'entangled' mean?" Aubrey asked cautiously, trying to clarify the stakes.Alexander's expression turned grim. "It means you'll be under my protection - and my claim. Werewolf mate for life, Aubrey. And once you're mine, every pack in the country will know you're off limits... except to those who dares challenge me for you." Aubrey's mind reeled at the primitive possessiveness underlying his words. "You're talking about some kind of... supernatural marriage?"Alexander nodded once. "A bond stronger than any mortal vow. One that will change you, Aubrey - make you stronger, faster, and potentially cursed like me."Suddenly, Lily's voice drifted from her bedroom door, now slightly ajar. "Mommy, I have a bad dream."Aubrey's heart swelled with love and protectiveness. She glanced at Alexander and then back at Lily. "Baby come here."When Lily approached, Alexander's eyes never left Aubrey's face - his gaze burning with an unspoken question. Would she accept his dark proposal to save her daughter?Aubrey kneeled to hug Lily tightly, her eyes still locked on Alexander's intense gaze. "Lily, baby go play in your room for a few minutes, okay? Mommy needs to talk to Mr. Blackwood some more."Lily nodded slowly, eyeing Alexander warily before returning to her room.When Lily's door closed, Aubrey stood up and faced Alexander. "I need an answer before I consider anything. What exactly would this bond between us entail?"Alexander's expression turned solemn. "The bond would link our lives, Aubrey. You'd gain enhanced strength, agility - and my ability to sense your emotions and location. I'd gain, your trust, your loyalty - and the right to protect you always.Aubrey's mind whirled with implications. "And the curse - would I become a werewolf like you?"Alexander hesitated before answering, "Possibly. But only if you inherit the lunar gene strongly from your ancestors. Otherwise, you'd remain mortal - yet still bound to me, still sensing the moon's call."Aubrey felt a shiver on her spine. "What about Victor, how would this bond stop him from taking Lily?"Alexander's eyes gleamed with fierce determination. "Once you're mine, Aubrey, Victor would dare not touch Lily - or you. My pack would annihilate him from threatening my mate and child. He knows this - which is why he's desperate to act before you accept my offer."Aubrey weighed her options carefully - trust a mysterious werewolf or face Victor's evil alone.Suddenly, she heard a faint noise outside - footsteps crunching on gravel near her apartment window.Alexander's head snapped towards the sound, his eyes narrowing. "We have company. Victor men - or worse."Alexander acts straight to the window, and his eyes change to gleam in the darkness."You and Lily, get to the bedroom and lock the door," he said with a low voice.Aubrey feels scared but she trusts Alexander, so she goes to bed with Lily.Aubrey locked the door behind them, Lily clung to her tightly her eyes wide because of fear."Mommy, what's happening?" Lily whispered.Aubrey tries to sound calm, "Alexander is taking care of it, baby, he'll keep us safe."Suddenly, the sounds of snarling and crashing grew louder, and Aubrey felt the floor vibrate beneath her feet. She peeked through the peephole, and her heart sank.Alexander was in the werewolf form, fighting off at least five men in black suits. His fur was grey and sleek, eyes glowed yellow in the dark. The men seemed to be armed with silver-coated weapons, but Alexander dodged and countered with deadly precision.One of the men lunged at Alexander with a silver dagger, but he caught the attacker's wrist in mid-air and twisted until the man cried out in pain. Alexander then slammed him into the wall, and the man crumpled to the ground.Aubrey felt a mix of awe and terror watching Alexander fight. She had never seen anything like this before.Lily tugged on her hand, whispering, "Mommy, is Alexander a monster?"Aubrey hesitated before answering, "No baby, he's... protecting us. He's still the same person we talked to earlier."Just then, the fight ended, and an eerie silence fell over the apartment. Alexander stood victorious, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He looked up at Aubrey's door, and their eyes met through the peephole.