As Belinda forced her legs to keep moving, she soon found herself surrounded by nature. At the hoot of an owl, her large, steel-blue eyes scanned her surroundings, but the cloak of darkness veiled her vision, thwarting her from detecting anything concealed within the thick foliage.

The branches of the trees creaked in the breeze as birds sang soft melodies from above. In the distance, frogs croaked, and crickets chirped. All of which were familiar sounds whenever she entered the forest surrounding her small town.

When her body shivered, she wrapped her arms around herself. She should have grabbed her jacket before heading out, but concern for her friend Aurora, who turned twenty today, had flooded her. She feared her friend would be marked and end up murdered like the rest.

Belinda raked her quivering hands through her ash blond curls. A twig snapping had her heart palpitating like a frightened bird in a cage. She pivoted around, her eyes meeting deep emerald ones. Aurora always had a dazzling smile on her lips that displayed her perfect teeth and revealed her dimples, but tonight, her face showed nothing.

"What?" Belinda asked.

Aurora averted her gaze. "They found another."

A pressure built up in her chest, which threatened to crush her heart. "Aurora—"

Aurora placed her hand on Belinda's shoulder and smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I was sent to look for you. C'mon."

When she seized Belinda's hand, she jerked away. "Aren't you afraid? Another chosen has been found dead."

Aurora stared at the forest floor, the breeze pushing back her coal-black hair. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't."

"In a few minutes, you're going to stand in the chosen zone—What if you're chosen?"

"Then all I'd have left is to hope I don't end up like the rest."

Without another word, Belinda embraced her friend, begging God that one of the supernatural wouldn't choose her.

In the past, it had been an honor, but all that changed when chosen ones began to appear murdered three months ago. Her hold around Aurora tightened, recalling the memory of the woman they had discovered while hanging out with their friends in the woods.

Belinda remembered vividly when the droplets of blood splattered against her face. At first, she thought it started to drizzle and suggested they return home before she touched her face and noted the blood coating her fingertips. Her friend Ezra pulled her away as she glanced up to find the woman chosen last week suspended from a branch by her feet, blood pouring out from the deep laceration on her neck. The copper-colored tattoo-like wolf mark on her shoulder had been clawed at. Two weeks prior, another woman from a nearby town had been discovered with her throat also slit open, but her symbol had been a silver crescent moon.

Belinda permitted Aurora to guide her back to the town. Once there, they came to a halt. Darkness overwhelmed most of the town save for the streetlights casting a golden glow across the pavement. The two-story homes surrounded the chosen zone like the bars of a cage. The small golden lit candles confirmed the town was prepared for the ceremony, despite having found another body.

As Belinda observed her friend, she was certain the bravery in her eyes was feigned. Tomorrow, Belinda turned twenty, and the mere thought of being chosen sent a chill through her body. She gave Aurora's hand a soft squeeze. "Perhaps you won't be chosen."

Aurora met her gaze, her glistening eyes confirming her suspicions. "When has a woman been rejected?"

Belinda did her best to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. "Many haven't been chosen."

No one knew what had changed that for the past three months, every woman who stepped foot in the chosen zone had been in a trance and walked right into the forest. It happened every time after a mark appeared somewhere on their body. Three women had been chosen, and all three lay in the morgue.

Belinda tried her best to smile when her father headed toward them, still in his work uniform. The sheriff must have called him into the station after they discovered the body. He hugged them before inspecting Belinda, ensuring she wasn't harmed.

"Dad, I'm fine."

"You shouldn't have gone out this late into the woods. It's no longer considered safe for anyone to be out at night, worse alone."

"Dad, all the dead are chosen ones." She regretted her words at the horror that flashed across her friend's face.

"I know, but we can't take any chances."

At the soft glow of the rocks around the chosen zone, her chest tightened. One by one the flames of the candles turned blood red, announcing the ceremony commenced. With evident reluctance, Aurora pulled her hand out of Belinda's grasp as her father guided her to stand beside her mother.

Within minutes, most of the town's residents were present. She understood why some didn't leave their homes tonight. They all knew Aurora well. No one wanted to witness her be chosen, which recently meant a death sentence.

The chime of the bell resonated through the town when the clock hit midnight. Belinda stared at the antique town clock, watching as the second hand continued to move, hoping that it reached the minute mark before anything occurred. For a moment, she glanced at Ezra and Skylar, seeing in their eyes that they too feared for their friend's fate.

If nothing happened, Aurora could have a normal life in the town. She could continue working as a barista in the town's most popular bar alongside Ezra and Skylar. If a mark appeared, it meant she had been chosen.

As Aurora's body shuddered, the flames rose to the sky, intensifying in color. She groaned, and it was as though a pen no one could see was being maneuvered over Aurora's wrist, slowly forming intricate lines that turned and twisted to form a copper-colored wolf paw. Wide-eyed, Aurora raised her trembling hand and stared at it.

A howl in the distance prompted Belinda to whirl around to find a wolf the size of a horse emerging from the cover of the shadows within the foliage. Everyone froze. This had never occurred before. No beast had ever dared step foot in human lands. Those chosen always entered the forest surrounding the towns.

What had forced this beast to come personally to claim their mate?

The wolf moved one paw forward before shifting into a tall, auburn-haired man with a tapered haircut. As an act of magic, he became clothed in pants, a shirt with a vest, and an overcoat. His full, even lips curved into a smile, his eyes settling upon Aurora.

When the man made his way to Aurora, everyone standing in his way moved without hesitation, head bowed. Belinda's eyes met Skylar's deep rich brown ones as Ezra held her forearm, clearly to stop her from intervening.

Belinda couldn't withstand it any longer.

She couldn't allow Aurora to be taken, knowing she would end up like the rest. The memory of the woman's slit throat bombarded her mind and before she could think it through, she moved forward. Gasps rose into the air when she blocked the man's path. For a moment, his eyes flickered amber in the moonlight as he glanced at her before focusing his attention on Aurora.

"Please don't take her." Warm tears trickled down her cheeks.

He remained silent, stretching his hand out toward Aurora.

When Aurora reached for him, Belinda stopped her. "What are you doing?"

"You should not fear for her safety." At the deep, husky voice, Belinda glanced over her shoulder at the man. "She will be safe with me."

"Every chosen laying in the morgue probably believed they were safe too."

His eyes darkened. "You understand nothing, but soon you will."

Her heart shattered into fragments at the revelation that tomorrow she, too, would be taken away from her home, from those she loved. Her body shuddered at the mere thought of someone suspending her by her feet from a branch and slicing her throat open, leaving her to bleed to death.

Aurora grasped her hands and smiled, one that reached her eyes and flaunted her dimples. "Don't worry about me, okay?"

Belinda stifled a sob. "How could I not?"

"I'll be okay." Aurora stepped away and seized the man's hand. As she did, Belinda caught sight of his identical mark. Leaves rose around them like a whirlwind, engulfing them. By the time they fluttered to the ground, Aurora and the man were gone.

All Belinda had left to do was to hope that her friend didn't end up dead like the other chosen women.

——————

The next morning, Belinda wasted no time and prepared herself for a long day. She should have been elated that today she turned twenty, but honestly, all the happiness had been sucked out of her last night. Despite not wanting to leave her bedroom, she headed downstairs to be greeted by her parents and friends, wishing her a happy birthday.

Her father smiled and kissed her cheek, handing her balloons and a box of her favorite chocolates. Knowing that her father had to head to the station, she entered the kitchen. Her mother hugged her and set the cake she baked on the table. Belinda stared at the candles lit up on the cake. She could have wished not to be chosen, but that was a lost cause. So, she wished for Aurora to be safe and blew out the candles.

Skylar handed her a gift. "I hope you like it."

"You didn't have to buy me anything."

"Oh, we didn't?" Ezra said, pausing as he handed her a box of chocolates and a rose. "Then, I guess I can return these."

Belinda took them from him. "You know I could never refuse chocolates." She opened Skylar's gift after setting the chocolate box on the table. As she pulled out the black floral lace corset-style top from the box, she smiled at Skylar, knowing she had made it herself. "Well, I do love it." Skylar loved to create gorgeous dresses that involved a corset bodice and florals, which many women loved in town. They always called them fairytale gowns. Skylar even had a small event for tea, which Aurora and Belinda attended every month to relax. They had even managed to convince Ezra to join them sometimes.

"Your tea parties won't be the same anymore."

Skylar hugged her. "I miss her too."

"We all do," Ezra said. "All we can do is hope her mate managed to get her to safety."

Belinda pulled away from Skylar and glanced at her father. "Did you get any calls?"

"No."

She let out a breath. "That's good news."

"It seems there was a reason the werewolf came personally to get her." He paused as he processed something in his head. "Perhaps someone was stopping the chosen ones from reaching their destinations."

"Let's not discuss work stuff right now." Her mother handed Belinda the knife to cut the cake and snapped a couple of pictures on her camera when she did. When her mother met her gaze, her eyes gave away the worry for her. Everyone had heard what the werewolf had said last night. Her concern spilled over, and her eyes glistened with tears. "I'm sorry—"

"It's okay, Mom." Belinda hugged her. "Please, don't worry about me."

"How could I not?" Her mother wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, struggling to recollect herself. "That man said you'd be chosen."

"That's not exactly what he said," her father said after taking a sip of his coffee. He appeared calm, but Belinda noted he didn't hold the mug steady.

"Pretending not to have heard a word won't change a thing." Her mother was sobbing now.

"What do you want me to do? There's nothing that will stop whoever comes for her. On the contrary, standing in their way will ensure her death."

Her mother took a deep breath as she picked up a small box from the counter. "I know. I just wish we could do something." She handed it to Belinda, giving her a bone-crushing hug.

Belinda smiled. "Thanks." Inside the box, she found a gold bracelet engraved with an intricate flower design. "It's beautiful." Her mother took her hand and put the bracelet on. "Please, no matter what happens tonight, don't ever remove it."

Belinda chuckled. "Why? Did a witch bless it?" Her smile faltered when she met her mother's gaze. "Mom?"

Her mother snapped out of her trance. "I bought it from a friend, and she claims that it protects the wearer from being harmed..."

"Okay, I won't ever take it off." Belinda suspected what friend her mother bought it from. Alison was a woman who owned a store in town with jewelry she claimed had many blessings on them. Some could make you invisible. Two rings were said to make the wearers fall deeply in love with each other. Yes. Belinda had gone there when she was fifteen with her friends out of curiosity. She doubted the objects held any sort of magic, but if it gave her mother some relief, she would wear it always.

"I have to head to work." Her father kissed her mother goodbye and kissed Belinda on the cheek before waving at her friends as he headed out the door.

To distract her mind a bit, her friends reserved a karaoke room. Belinda was far from a talented singer, but that didn't stop her from singing along songs. Although, if the rooms hadn't been private and soundproof, she doubted she would have been singing as loud as she did. When it was Ezra's turn, she was a bit surprised that his singing was rather good. Even Skylar agreed, so it wasn't the drinks getting to her head.

She stumbled when she attempted to dance on the table. Ezra was beside her within seconds to catch her before she hit the floor. Skylar guffawed, still attempting to continue singing, but couldn't, and held a hand over her stomach as she struggled to control her laughter. Belinda took her hand, and they both sang along and danced. Of course, their dances were awful, but who cared? They were all having fun. For about forty-five minutes, they continued to sing, watching their scores, which to no one's surprise, Ezra got the best.

As they headed out of the bar, Belinda held Skylar's hand, reality striking her hard. This could be the last day she had to spend with her friends, with everyone she loved. She continued walking, each step feeling not as steady as the previous. "I'm going to miss y'all."

Skylar pulled her into a hug. "Hey, for all we know, that man could have simply lied to scare you."

Belinda pulled back and forced a smile. "You're right—Let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."

They decided to head into her favorite restaurant. As soon as they walked inside, Belinda noticed the glances of pity from those sitting at the tables. She kept her gaze on the wood floor as the waiter guided them to one of the tables beside a window.

At a sharp pain in her forehead, she rubbed a quivering hand over the spot, her eyes locking on the elegant light fixture. She recoiled when she felt a soft touch on the curve of her neck, gaining the perplexed gazes of her friends.

It must have been a hair strand.

"Are you okay?" asked Skylar.

"I think so," she replied, taking a seat beside her at the table.

As always, Belinda caught the glances Ezra and Skylar exchanged. They all had known each other since they were toddlers so when she noticed the glint in their eyes whenever they saw each other, she thought she was imagining things. But she hadn't. Their friendship had flourished into something else. She wouldn't push them to tell her though. They would when they were ready.

Once the waiter brought their food, Belinda devoured it. "That was delicious."

"You eat way too fast," Skylar said with a chuckle.

"We should order dessert," she said as she reached for the menu beside her.

A police car sped down the street, its lights flashing brightly. Then another two followed. Cellphones started to go off in the restaurant. Ezra's phone vibrated on the table next to his plate, and his eyes met hers before he answered.

"Hello, Mom? Yes, we're all okay..." His eyes widened. "Okay." As he hung up the cell phone, he rose to his feet. We have to go."

"Is everything okay?" asked Skylar.

He said nothing as he waved the server over.

"Did—Did they find another body?" Belinda asked, her chest tightening.

Ezra met her gaze. "It's not Aurora."

"That doesn't make a difference—did they find a dead body?"

He hesitated. "There was a group out in the forest, and all have been found dead."

——————

Belinda waited at her house for her mother to return from the school she taught at. Her friends stayed with her despite her telling them they didn't have to. She paced back and forth in the living room until Skylar seized her arms.

"Relax."

"How can I relax? Four people are dead—They weren't chosen ones."

The front door creaked open as her mother entered the house. She rushed toward Belinda and engulfed her in a tight hug.

"Mom, what's going on?"

Her mother wiped away her tears. "The four bodies were torn beyond recognition..." She fidgeted with her ring. "Their blood was used to write... to write your name."

This couldn't be happening. Four innocent people were dead because the werewolf came personally to retrieve Aurora.

Belinda did her best to remain collected, despite her heart thumping in her ears. "Why the hell do they want me?" It wasn't because they desired her blood. If that were the case, they would have drained every drop of blood from the women murdered.

"There are books in the library that describe what the symbols of the supernatural beings represent. A wolf is for the werewolves, and a crescent moon is for the vampires."

Belinda remembered the marks on the dead women. "They're stopping the mates of the werewolves and vampires from reaching them, but with what purpose?"

"For centuries, the chosen ones have all been women. I believe that whoever this is doesn't want the werewolves and vampires to have descendants."

Skylar wrapped her arms around herself. "And without descendants, both races will cease to exist."

"Did you tell anyone about this?" Belinda asked.

"I mentioned it to my mother, but everyone already suspected it."

"What am I supposed to do?" If she stepped into the chosen zone, whoever was behind the murders would kill more innocent people, but if she refused, they'd hunt her instead.

Loud angry voices coming from outside caught their attention. Her mother moved to the window, drawing the curtain to the side. Eyes wide, she rushed to Belinda, seizing her hand, and guiding her toward the backdoor. "You need to leave."

"Mom, I'm not running."

Her mother seized her shoulders. "Four people were murdered because whoever this is couldn't get to Aurora. People are scared and fear drives them to do insane things." As she opened the door and pushed Belinda outside, sirens resonated in the distance.

"Mom, Dad will be here—"

"Don't come back until I call you." She grabbed Belinda's cell phone from the counter in the kitchen and handed it to her, eyes drifting to Ezra. "Take her to the river."

Ezra tugged Belinda toward the forest despite her struggles. "Ezra, let me go!" To her astonishment, he picked her up as though she weighed nothing and threw her over his shoulder. "Ezra!"

"Please, calm down," Skylar said, following a few steps behind. "It's best we let people calm down before coming back."

"And how is walking into the forest at the moment any safer?"

Skylar fell silent before raising her shirt enough to reveal the handgun at her hips. "My mother said I should start carrying it for protection. I'm not sure if I can even shoot a supernatural being—but that's not going to stop me from trying if they attack us."

Ezra didn't stop walking until they reached the river where many children of the town spent their summer. Once her feet touched the ground, she wrapped her arms around herself. Skylar stood by her side and leaned her head on her shoulder. "Don't be mad. Everyone simply wants to keep you safe."

"I know... I hate that we left her alone to deal with those mad people."

"Your mom is more than capable of dealing with them," Ezra said.

"But what happens if night comes and I'm not in the chosen zone by midnight?"

"I... I don't know." Ezra's eyebrows furrowed. "That has never happened before."

"Let's just hope your mother calls before nightfall."

Minutes turned into hours. Belinda lay on the riverbank, watching the stars scattered across the night sky. It shouldn't have taken this long. Concern for her parents overwhelmed her and she scurried to her feet. When she attempted to run back home, Ezra stopped her, his arms encircling his waist. "Ezra! Let me go! I can't just wait here!"

"Guys."

"You need to relax," Ezra said.

"I have to make sure they're okay—"

"Guys!"

Belinda stopped her struggles at the rustling of the leaves around them, as though all the trees were warning them of an upcoming danger. The night had fallen eerily still. She couldn't even hear the crickets.

Skylar stood in front of her, the handgun in her hand. "I think we should head back."

They turned but halted at the sight of a figure mere feet from them. The veil of shadows worked to conceal his presence, except for the pendant hanging from his neck shaped like the sun and shining just as bright. When he took a step forward, she retreated a couple, bumping into Ezra.

Aurora aimed the weapon at him. "Back off. I'm not afraid to shoot you."

He took another step, and the veil appeared to fall, revealing a tall man with hair as white as snow. His silver eyes flashed crimson for a moment as they locked on Aurora, an amused expression on his face. This man appeared not much older than them. But of course, being a supernatural meant he stopped aging at twenty-five, so for all she knew, this man could be older than her father.

You should return to the town. His voice echoed in her mind as if he had whispered the words close to her ear.

"And if I don't?" A searing pain exploded on her forehead. When she touched the spot, it felt too warm. She wobbled to the side before dropping to her knees, the pain lacing through her veins amplifying, making her body shudder against her will.

The chosen zone would have made this process less painful.

A cry tore from her lips as the pain consumed her, blurring her vision. Tears dribbled down her cheeks. She bit her lips, trying to muffle her cries to no avail. Their gazes locked, his eyes deepening in color. Invisible gentle fingers brushed over her forehead and the pain abated. Her heartbeat slowed to a normal rhythm, no longer threatening to burst any second.

The man moved toward her, but when close enough, a soft blue hue flickered around her and pushed him back. You must return now.

She rose to her feet. "Why? It's obvious if I don't stand in that chosen zone, you can't. claim me."

"We're you humans taught nothing of the past?" He moved close enough for the force field not to hurt him. "Continue breaking the pact and all your lives will be in danger. For centuries, we've kept our part of the deal." Growls and snarls rose in the distance, gaining not only her attention but his as well.

"The deal never states those chosen are forced to leave their homes."

"Once chosen, those homes are no longer safe."

"Is that why no chosen ever returns?"

"Is this the time to have this conversation?" Skylar seemed amused.

"Return to the town and I'll answer any questions you may have."

"No."

With a hiss, he moved forward, but the force field pushed him back again.

"I. Reject. You."

As he averted his gaze, the pain returned with a vengeance, forcing her back to her knees.

"As you wish."

She writhed in agony, her body feeling as though she had been tossed into unforgiving flames. Strong hands hauled her to her feet. Her vision began fading to black as someone carried her through the serene forest.

"This was a horrible idea," Skylar said, concern laced in her tone. "What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know." Ezra was the one carrying her. "We should have returned before nightfall."

For a moment, Belinda closed her eyes. When she reopened them, they had come to a halt, and she realized they stood inches away from the chosen zone of their town. After she stepped into it, the pain ceased. She took a deep breath, scanning her surroundings to find everyone gathering around the chosen zone. Her parents jogged to a stop a couple of feet from where she stood, clearly glad to see she was alright.

She parted her lips to say something, but the flames from the candles extended in front of her, forming the body of a petite woman. The woman shook her head, looking toward the forest before meeting her gaze. "No chosen human is forced to leave their home, but the deal must still be met unless you want death to consume your town... Are you certain you wish to do this?"

Her body wouldn't stop quivering. "I'm certain."

"Then, I summon your soulmate, Fane." The instant she spoke his name, the flames rose once more, and he stepped through them. He didn't look her way once. "A contract has been created to ensure you fulfill your duties as his soulmate."

"Wait, what?"

"Even if you reject him, it doesn't free you from your duty."

"Then it's not even a choice. Nothing but a façade."

The woman grinned. "You chose this, did you not?" The woman studied her. "You still have time to back out if you wish."

"What would my duties be?"

"Be his blood source of course," the woman said with a smile that flaunted her perfect teeth. "Time is ticking." She waved her hand and a golden paper appeared in it. "Sign it before the minute is over, or your town breaks the agreement made long ago."

Gasps erupted from those gathered.

When she handed Belinda the paper, she said, "Twenty seconds, darlin'."

"Wait—How do I sign it?" Fane moved forward, taking her by surprise when he seized her hand. The woman handed him a dagger, and he used it to create a small cut on her index finger. She ignored the sting as he hovered her hand over the contract. A droplet of blood splattered on the page, and as an act of magic, it began to move as if she was signing the contract with a red pen. It spelled out her full name, then darkened in color.

He stared at the name before raising his gaze to meet hers. The mark of a small crescent moon on his forehead turned from a soft champagne color to charcoal. Her eyes lingered on the hand still holding her by the wrist. "May I have my hand back?"

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips before he released her and took a step back.

"You have three years to fulfill the contents of the contract... or you die."

"W—what?"

The woman headed toward the bright flames. "I will bring you a copy once Fane signs it."

Belinda glanced at him, but he averted his gaze. "He seems hesitant, but of course, you leave him no other choice." The woman stepped into the flames and vanished. Without a word, Fane followed suit.