The last thing Yun Xi remembered was the blinding flash of headlights and the screech of tires as the car spun out of control. Her world had been reduced to a kaleidoscope of light and fear—then darkness.

When she opened her eyes again, she was surrounded by golden light, the sun streaming through woven thatch. The scent of fresh earth, wildflowers, and something musky filled her senses, pulling her fully awake.

She sat up, startled by the softness of the fur blanket covering her. This was no sterile hospital room or city street. She blinked, taking in her surroundings: a round hut made of wooden logs and woven reeds, the walls adorned with colorful tapestries depicting scenes of hunting and feasting. The floor was covered with thick furs, and a small fire crackled in a stone hearth.

Yun Xi’s heart pounded. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the beat of her own heart, the warmth of her skin. This was real.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, her bare feet sinking into the furs. She wore a simple shift of soft leather, unfamiliar yet comfortable. She could feel the weight of the world pressing down on her—this wasn’t home.

A low growl startled her. She turned sharply to see a man—a beast—standing in the doorway. He was impossibly tall, his broad shoulders filling the frame. Silver-white hair fell around his face like a mane, and his eyes glowed a piercing gold. His skin was tanned and smooth, but she could see patches of sleek fur along his arms and legs, and a bushy tail swayed behind him.

He was both beautiful and terrifying.

“You’re awake,” he said, his voice deep and resonant.

Yun Xi swallowed hard. “Where am I?” she managed, her voice shaking.

The beast-man stepped closer, his movements smooth and sure. He was dressed in a simple leather kilt, muscles rippling with each step. “You are in Moonfang Territory,” he said. “I am Kael, chieftain of this land.”

“Moonfang…?” Yun Xi’s head spun. “I don’t understand. I was in the city, and then—”

Kael’s gaze softened slightly, though his expression remained guarded. “You fell from the sky. The spirits brought you to us.”

“Fell from the sky? Spirits?” Yun Xi shook her head. “This has to be a dream.”

Kael reached out, his clawed fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, almost reverent. “It is no dream, little one. You are here now, in our world. And you are under my protection.”

A shiver ran down her spine. She pulled away, clutching the fur blanket tighter around her. “Why me? I’m just an ordinary girl…”

Kael’s golden eyes darkened, something ancient and powerful flickering within them. “You are not ordinary here. Human females are rare—sacred. You are the Moon-Blessed One, foretold in our legends.”

“Moon-Blessed…?” Yun Xi echoed, feeling like the world was slipping out from under her feet.

Kael nodded. “It means you are fated to be the mate of the four primal tribes—wolf, lion, crane, and snake. Your arrival marks a new age, and the balance of the tribes rests on your shoulders.”

Yun Xi’s breath caught. “Four mates? That’s… that’s impossible. I don’t even know you.”

Kael’s expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “You will come to know us, in time. For now, you must rest. Adjust to our world. I will see to your safety.”

As he turned to leave, Yun Xi caught sight of the world beyond the hut—a sprawling village of wooden huts and animal-hide tents, surrounded by towering trees and a sky so blue it hurt her eyes. Warriors with furred limbs and sharp claws moved through the village, their eyes turning to her with curiosity and something more.

She felt like prey under their gaze.

Kael paused at the doorway, looking back at her. “Do not fear them. You are under my protection.”

Before she could respond, he was gone, leaving her alone in the unfamiliar hut.

Yun Xi sank to the edge of the bed, her mind racing. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the flutter of her heart. How could this be real? She was an ordinary girl—just another face in the crowd back home. Now she was some kind of prophesied mate in a world of beasts?

She had to find a way back. She couldn’t stay here, couldn’t be the mate of anyone—let alone four powerful beastmen.

But as she stared at the doorway, the memory of Kael’s golden eyes haunted her. There was something in them—something ancient and powerful—that drew her in, despite her fear.

---

🌲 That Night

The sun set quickly in the beast world, the sky painted in shades of crimson and gold. Yun Xi sat by the fire, wrapped in the fur blanket. She had tried to leave the hut, but every time she stepped outside, the stares of the beastmen drove her back inside.

She was alone.

Or so she thought.

A soft rustle made her turn. Standing in the doorway was another man, this one with tawny-gold hair that fell in loose waves around his face. His eyes were a deep amber, and a faint smirk curved his lips.

“You must be the human female,” he said, his voice a low purr. “I am Rion, prince of the Lion Pride.”

Yun Xi’s breath caught. He was different from Kael—leaner, with an easy confidence that radiated from every movement. But he was no less imposing, his furred arms and powerful build marking him as another of the beastkind.

“I… I don’t understand any of this,” she said, her voice trembling. “Why am I here?”

Rion tilted his head, his amber eyes glinting with amusement. “The spirits chose you. You’re special here, little human.” He stepped closer, his gaze intense. “And you’re mine to protect.”

“Yours?” Yun Xi backed away instinctively.

Rion’s smirk widened. “You’ll understand soon enough. For now, rest. Tomorrow, you’ll meet the others.”

“The others?” she whispered.

Rion nodded. “The four of us—wolf, lion, crane, and snake. We are the ones fated to be your mates.”

Yun Xi’s mind reeled. Four mates? Four powerful beastmen who claimed her as theirs? It was too much.

But Rion simply laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Don’t worry, little one. We’ll take good care of you.”

---

🌿 In the Darkness

That night, Yun Xi lay awake, staring at the thatched ceiling. The crackle of the fire was the only sound, but she could feel the weight of the prophecy pressing down on her.

She thought of Kael’s intense gaze, of Rion’s easy charm. And she wondered—who were the crane and the snake? What secrets did they hold?

A flicker of movement at the window caught her attention. She turned her head, and her breath caught. A pair of luminous silver eyes watched her from the darkness—eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light.

A whisper of silk against the wood, and the eyes disappeared, leaving only the night and the beating of her own heart.

Yun Xi closed her eyes, clutching the furs tight around her. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but one thing was certain—her life would never be the same again.

---

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.

---

Chapter 3: The Lion’s Roar

Yun Xi woke before dawn, her body wrapped in the lingering warmth of Kael’s embrace. The wolf chieftain had held her as she slept, his breath steady against her shoulder, his arms an unyielding shelter. For the first time since she’d arrived in this strange world, she felt safe. But she also felt the weight of the bond they’d forged the night before. The knowledge that she now belonged to Kael—heart, body, and soul—sent a shiver down her spine.

She rose quietly, careful not to wake him. Slipping from the hut, she stepped into the cool predawn air. The sky was awash with silver light, the moon hanging low over the forest. The village was still, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.

Yun Xi walked slowly, her feet bare against the damp earth. She needed a moment to breathe, to clear her mind. She hadn’t chosen this fate, but last night she had accepted it. Now she needed to find her place in it.

She wandered to the edge of the village, where the forest met the open plains. The air was crisp here, carrying the scent of wild grasses and distant rain. She closed her eyes and let the wind wash over her, imagining for a moment that it could carry her back home.

“Running from the wolf already, little moon?” a voice drawled behind her, low and amused.

Yun Xi’s eyes flew open, her heart lurching. She turned to find Rion leaning against a tree, his golden hair catching the moonlight, his emerald eyes glinting with mischief. He wore only a loose pair of leather trousers, his chest bare, the muscles of his torso flexing as he shifted his weight.

She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breath. “I’m not running,” she said, though her voice trembled. “I just needed some air.”

Rion pushed away from the tree, his movements lazy and fluid. “Ah, but the wolf doesn’t share well,” he said, his smile sharp. “You’re his now, aren’t you? Bound by the moon and the forest.”

Yun Xi’s cheeks heated. “It’s not like that,” she said softly. “I… I don’t know what it means yet.”

Rion’s smile softened, his gaze growing more thoughtful. “It means you’re part of this world now, little moon. And whether you realize it or not, you’re part of me, too.”

He stepped closer, his scent washing over her—warm and wild, like sun-baked earth and fresh grass. Yun Xi took a step back, her heart racing.

“Rion…” she began, but he lifted a finger to her lips.

“Shh,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. “I won’t force you. But you should know this—Kael may have claimed the first bond, but the lion claims the fire in your soul.”

She shivered, his words striking something deep inside her. She didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing at all. Instead, she looked up at him, her breath coming in shallow bursts.

Rion’s smile turned tender, and he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t be afraid of me, little moon,” he said. “I won’t bite. Unless you ask me to.”

Her cheeks burned, and she turned away, her thoughts a chaotic whirl. She didn’t understand him—didn’t understand any of this. But part of her wanted to.

---

🦁 The Challenge of the Lion

Later that morning, the village gathered in the central clearing. The warriors formed a wide circle, their eyes bright with excitement. Yun Xi stood beside Kael, her hand in his, as Rion strode into the ring.

Kael’s grip tightened, and Yun Xi glanced up at him. His jaw was set, his golden eyes hard.

“What’s happening?” she asked, her voice low.

“Rion challenges my claim,” Kael said. “The lion will not be content to stand aside. He seeks his own bond with you.”

Yun Xi’s stomach twisted. “A challenge? You mean… a fight?”

Kael nodded once. “It is tradition. The lion and the wolf are both alphas. They will not share lightly.”

Before she could protest, Rion turned to face her. His emerald eyes locked on hers, and he smiled—a smile full of wild confidence and fierce longing.

“Do you fear the fire, little moon?” he asked, his voice carrying across the clearing.

Yun Xi swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know.”

He threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and golden. “Then watch, and see how the lion roars.”

He shifted then, his body rippling with power. Fur sprouted along his arms and chest, his fingers curling into claws. His mane gleamed like molten gold in the sunlight, his emerald eyes flashing with hunger.

Kael released her hand and stepped forward, his own body shifting, muscles swelling, claws extending. The air crackled with power, the scent of ozone and wild earth.

The crowd fell silent, every eye on the two alphas as they circled each other. Yun Xi held her breath, her heart pounding.

The first clash was explosive—Kael lunging forward, his claws raking across Rion’s chest. Rion twisted away, his laughter echoing in the clearing as he countered with a swipe of his own. The two males moved like shadows and flame, their snarls and growls filling the air.

Yun Xi watched in a daze, torn between fear and fascination. She had never seen such raw power—never imagined that two males could fight with such primal ferocity. But beneath the violence, she sensed something else: a dance of dominance and desire, a battle not just for victory, but for her.

The fight seemed to last forever, but in truth it was only minutes. At last, Kael drove Rion to his knees, his hand fisted in the lion’s golden mane. His chest heaved, his fangs bared.

“Yield,” Kael growled, his voice a command that shook the air.

Rion looked up at him, his emerald eyes blazing. Then, with a low, rumbling laugh, he did.

“I yield, wolf,” he said. “But you know this isn’t over.”

Kael released him and stepped back, his breathing heavy. Rion rose slowly, brushing a smear of blood from his lips, and turned to Yun Xi.

His smile was fierce and hungry. “The lion yields today,” he said softly, his gaze locking with hers. “But the moon will call the fire again.”

---

🌒 After the Battle

The challenge ended, but the tension lingered in the air like the heat of a storm. Kael returned to Yun Xi’s side, his chest still heaving, his golden eyes softening as he looked at her.

“You’re safe,” he said, his thumb brushing her cheek. “The bond is yours to give. No one can force it from you.”

Yun Xi nodded, her heart still racing. “I know,” she whispered. “But… I don’t know what I want.”

Kael’s expression turned solemn. “Then take the time you need. But remember this: the wolf’s heart is yours.”

He turned and strode away, his shoulders broad and proud. The warriors began to disperse, murmuring among themselves, but Yun Xi remained where she stood, her thoughts a tangled mess.

She didn’t notice Rion until he was at her side, his golden mane still tousled from the fight. “He’s strong,” he said, his tone light. “But strength isn’t everything.”

Yun Xi looked up at him, her brow furrowing. “Why do you want this bond so badly? You don’t even know me.”

Rion tilted his head, his smile turning wistful. “Perhaps,” he said. “But I know the fire I see in your eyes. And I know the way my heart roars when you’re near.”

He reached out and brushed a thumb along her jaw, his touch gentle despite the claws still visible on his fingers. “You’re not just the Moon-Blessed One, Yun Xi. You’re… alive. Bright. You make this world feel like something worth fighting for.”

Her breath caught, tears pricking at her eyes. She didn’t know how to respond—didn’t know how to feel. So she said nothing at all, and let the silence stretch between them.

Rion’s smile softened, and he stepped back. “I’ll wait,” he said simply. “The lion is patient when he must be.”

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving Yun Xi standing alone in the clearing, the weight of destiny pressing down on her shoulders.

---

End of Chapter 3.

---