Selene hesitated only a moment before gripping Cassian’s outstretched hand. His grip was strong and sure as he pulled her up, his smirk barely concealing the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.The moment she was on solid ground, she turned, reaching for Ronan. He looked at Cassian with pure distrust, but when she extended her hand, he took it. Together, she and Cassian pulled him up.Ronan barely got to his feet before he swayed, blood still seeping from his shoulder wound. Selene instinctively reached for him, steadying him against her side. He stiffened but didn’t pull away.Cassian raised an eyebrow. “So, he’s not just your bodyguard, then?”Selene shot him a glare. “Shut up.”Cassian chuckled, but before he could respond, the unmistakable sound of twigs snapping cut through the air.Selene spun, dagger in hand.Shadows moved through the trees.They weren’t alone.“Friends of yours?” Ronan muttered, his hand inching toward his blade despite his injury.Cassian’s expressio
The pounding footsteps outside grew louder, each second tightening the noose around them.Selene’s pulse raced. They had to move—now.Cassian peered through the cracked window. “They’re circling the outpost. If we stay, we’re dead.”Ronan pushed himself upright with a wince. “Then we fight our way out.”“You can barely stand,” Selene shot back, gripping his arm before he could stagger.Ronan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t pull away. The heat of his body against hers sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine.Cassian smirked. “Cute, but we don’t have time for lovers’ quarrels.”Selene ignored him. “What’s the plan?”Cassian exhaled. “There’s an underground tunnel beneath this ruin—an old escape route. We use it to get out without being seen.”Ronan’s gaze darkened. “And you just happened to know about it?”Cassian met his suspicion with a smirk. “I know a lot of things.”Selene had no reason to trust Cassian, but their options were slim. Either take the risk—or die here.“Fine,” she said
Selene’s heart pounded as she pressed deeper into the forest, Ronan’s weight heavy against her. His breathing was ragged, his body feverishly hot where he leaned against her. The wound in his side had worsened—she could feel the damp warmth of fresh blood seeping through his shirt.“We need to stop,” she whispered, voice tight with worry.“No,” Ronan gritted out, trying to straighten. “We keep moving. We’re not safe yet.”Cassian, a few steps ahead, glanced over his shoulder. His golden eyes flicked to Ronan before settling on her. “He’s slowing us down. If they catch up—”Selene shot him a glare. “We’re not leaving him.”Cassian exhaled sharply but said nothing, leading them toward a thicket of trees where the shadows were deeper. They had been running for what felt like hours, but Selene’s nerves remained razor-sharp. Their escape from the stronghold had turned into a chase, the enemy always just out of sight but never far behind.Finally, they reached a small clearing with a cluste
The first blade came for her throat.Selene ducked, twisting just in time to feel the wind of the strike skim past her cheek. She reacted on instinct, driving her dagger into the attacker’s side before yanking it free. Blood sprayed, hot and sharp in the cold night air.Chaos exploded around her.Ronan fought like a cornered beast, his movements slower than usual—his injury weakening him—but no less deadly. He caught a soldier’s wrist, twisting until bones snapped, then drove his sword through the man’s chest.Cassian…Selene’s stomach twisted as she caught sight of him, blade flashing as he cut through an opponent with effortless precision. The same man who had led them into this trap was now fighting alongside them.She didn’t know what to do with that.Her brother stood at the edge of the clearing, watching. He hadn’t drawn a weapon yet. He didn’t need to. His soldiers were doing the work for him, and he looked amused, as if this were nothing more than a game.“You’re only making t
Chapter 11 - Into the UnknownSelene hit the water like a stone.The icy river swallowed her whole, tearing the breath from her lungs. The current seized her, dragging her beneath the surface. Darkness closed in, her body tumbling through the roaring chaos.She fought, kicking hard, but the water was relentless, yanking her deeper. Her lungs burned. The cold seeped into her bones.Then—fingers brushed hers.Ronan.She reached for him, but the current wrenched them apart.No. No, no, no—A jagged rock loomed ahead. She twisted, barely avoiding it, only for another to slam into her ribs. Pain exploded through her side. The world blurred.Then—light.The current spat her out, tossing her violently onto the riverbank. She crashed against the mud, coughing, gasping. Water poured from her mouth as she dragged in a ragged breath.The river roared beside her, its icy fingers still trying to pull her back. But she was out. She was alive.Selene forced herself onto her hands and knees, her body
Selene’s grip tightened around her dagger as Cassian stepped into the cabin.He looked like hell—dried blood caked his forehead, his shirt was torn, and his movements were slow and stiff. But it wasn’t just him that set her on edge.It was the stranger beside him.Tall, draped in dark armor, his face obscured by a hood. The air around him felt wrong—as if the shadows bent toward him, clinging to his presence.Selene’s pulse pounded. Ronan shifted beside her, his body tense despite his injuries.Cassian exhaled, dragging a hand through his damp hair. “Relax, Selene. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t have just saved your life.”“Saved?” Ronan scoffed. “You mean led our enemies straight to us?”Cassian’s jaw tightened. “I just barely got out alive. Trust me, I didn’t lead them anywhere.”Selene narrowed her eyes, studying him. He looked… exhausted. And for once, honest.Her gaze flicked to the stranger. “Who is he?”Cassian hesitated. Then, “A messenger.”The stranger stepped forward, low
Selene paced the length of the cabin, her mind spinning.The stranger’s words echoed in her head.Turn yourself in… or watch innocent people suffer.Her brother was ruthless, but she had never imagined he would go this far. The thought of entire villages burning just to lure her out made her stomach churn.But surrendering? That wasn’t an option.If she gave herself up, she wouldn’t survive long enough to make a difference. Worse, Ronan wouldn’t survive either. Her brother wouldn’t just kill him—he’d make an example of him.Her hands clenched into fists. There had to be another way.A low groan pulled her from her thoughts.Ronan.He was slumped against the wall, his breathing uneven, his face paler than before. Sweat dampened his dark hair, and the bandages wrapped around his torso were soaked through with fresh blood.Selene’s heart clenched. He’s getting worse.She crossed the room in seconds and dropped to her knees beside him. “Ronan.”He exhaled shakily but forced a smirk. “You
Silence stretched through the cabin.Selene’s heart pounded as she stared at the door. That voice… It was impossible.Ronan shifted beside her, wincing from the effort. His golden eyes flicked to hers. “Who is it?”She swallowed hard, gripping her dagger tighter. “I don’t know how, but… I know that voice.”Cassian drew his sword. “Then we assume it’s a threat.”The knock came again—firmer this time.“Selene, open up. We don’t have much time.”She hesitated. The voice belonged to someone she had once trusted. Someone she had believed was dead.Against her better judgment, she reached for the door. Cassian tensed, ready to strike, and Ronan—despite his obvious pain—shifted into a defensive position.Selene’s fingers curled around the handle. She exhaled sharply and pulled it open.A man stepped inside, hood drawn over his face. His boots were caked with mud, his dark cloak dripping from the night rain. He pushed back his hood—and Selene’s breath caught.“Varian,” she whispered.The man’
The sky was painted with the deep shades of twilight as the moon rose higher, casting its ethereal glow over the land. The world felt suspended in time, as though everything had led to this moment—this decision. Selene stood at the edge of the cliff, the wind tugging at her hair, her thoughts as turbulent as the sea crashing below. The weight of the world pressed heavily on her chest. She had never imagined that the final choice would come down to this: the past, the present, and the uncertain future.Behind her, Ronan stepped closer, his presence as steady as ever, like a shadow that had been following her all this time, but never once imposing. His soft breath on the back of her neck made her shiver, but not from fear—more from the deep, unspoken connection that had been growing between them. It was real. It had always been real, even when she had denied it.“Selene,” Ronan’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, as if he too had been waiting for this moment to arrive. “You d
Selene’s heart ached as she stared at Kael, standing across from her, his face a storm of emotions. His eyes—once filled with a deep affection for her—now held a raw intensity that could have broken a weaker soul. She knew the hurt was there, the pain of her choice, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to change it.Ronan, standing just behind her, was silent, his gaze flickering between her and Kael. He had sensed the tension thick in the air since Selene’s confession, but the silence between them now was more deafening than any words could have been.“Kael,” Selene began, her voice trembling despite her attempts to remain strong. She took a tentative step toward him, but he recoiled, a flicker of something darker passing over his features.“Save it,” Kael snapped, his voice cold. “I get it. You chose him.” His hand clenched into a fist, and his body seemed to vibrate with the energy of the anger he was trying so hard to suppress. “But don’t think for a second that you’ve gotten rid of
The night air hung heavy with unspoken words as Selene stood in front of the gathered group, her heart racing. Ronan stood beside her, his hand resting lightly on her arm, a silent show of solidarity. It had taken them days to come to this moment, the decision to make their relationship public. They could no longer hide the truth from the people closest to them. It was time to stop living in the shadows.Selene took a deep breath. She had always known this day would come, but that didn’t make it any easier. Her gaze swept over the faces of their group—Cassian, who had a concerned frown on his face; Varian, who was unusually quiet; and Kael, standing a little to the side. His expression was unreadable, but his body language spoke volumes. His arms were crossed, his eyes darkened with what she could only guess was a mixture of hurt and confusion.“I—I have something I need to say,” Selene began, her voice shaking slightly despite her best efforts to stay composed. “I’ve spent a lot of t
The sound of hooves pounding against the earth echoed through the forest, a rhythm that matched the tumultuous beating of Selene’s heart. The starlit night above them seemed distant and cold as the moonlight painted their path, glistening against the bloodstained earth beneath her boots. She had barely been able to keep up with the group, the pain in her side flaring every time she moved too quickly. But she had to keep going.They had faced the onslaught together, survived the siege—barely—but now, the battle was far from over. The deeper conflict within her burned just as fiercely. The weight of her indecision was suffocating.She could still feel the sensation of Ronan’s healing hands, the way his magic had wrapped around her wounds, his power infusing her with an energy that had been so foreign, yet so welcome. But it wasn’t just the healing that lingered. It was the touch, the warmth of his presence that made her heart flutter against her will. And then there was Kael—silent and
The clang of steel and the cries of battle filled the air as Selene stood at the front, her eyes scanning the chaos that had erupted on the battlefield. Her heart beat in rhythm with the violence, and though every instinct screamed at her to retreat, she stood her ground. Her people needed her. Ronan was by her side, his eyes fierce but weary as he struck down another of the invaders, his strength finally starting to wane. But he was determined, and Selene could feel his resolve fueling her own.“Stay close!” she called out, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “We’re not losing this!”Kael, his movements swift and dangerous, rushed forward, cutting down an enemy soldier who tried to flank them. Cassian was close behind, his usual smirk replaced with a grim expression as he took charge of a separate line of defense. The air crackled with tension, every movement sharp, deliberate. The battle wasn’t just a fight; it was survival.Selene’s mind raced through strategies, calcu
The air was thick with tension, every heartbeat echoing like war drums across the crumbling temple grounds. From her vantage point atop the weather-worn balcony, Selene watched the horizon darken—not with clouds, but with the approaching horde.The siege had begun.Below, Kael barked orders, still limping from his last encounter but determined to defend what little ground they had left. The allies they’d gathered—rogue wolves, witches who had once served in hiding, a handful of humans brave or foolish enough to fight—moved in hurried unison, preparing barricades and traps. But the numbers were not in their favor.Selene turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. Ronan stood there, quiet but intense, his gaze locked on the distant army.“They’re moving faster than expected,” he said. His voice was steady, but Selene caught the flicker of tension behind his eyes. “Your brother isn’t wasting time anymore.”“Elias never did,” she murmured, jaw clenched. “But he’s more desperate now. He
The forest still echoed with the chaos they had barely survived. Selene’s hands trembled as she clutched Kael’s shoulder, his blood staining her fingertips. The kiss they had shared—born of desperation, confusion, and something deeper—still lingered between them like a ghost. But it was the man standing just beyond them, cloaked in shadow and moonlight, that stole all the air from her lungs.Ronan.He was bare-chested, panting, blood smeared across his chest, his golden eyes still glowing faintly with the remnants of his transformation. Fury burned in their depths, but so did heartbreak. And betrayal.“Ronan…” Selene’s voice cracked. She took a step toward him but stopped when he flinched ever so slightly, his jaw clenching.Kael groaned beside her, struggling to sit upright. “You know him?” he asked, voice raw.Selene didn’t answer.Ronan took a step forward, his gaze locked on Kael, who still lay weakened on the forest floor. “You kissed him.”It wasn’t a question. It was an accusat
The air crackled with tension as Selene stood before the two men—Kael, weak and recovering, his breaths shallow, and Ronan, standing tall and cold, a shadow of the man she once knew. Her heart hammered in her chest, a storm of emotions crashing inside her. Ronan’s gaze was hard, his jaw clenched tight. His return was unexpected, but now that he was here, everything had changed.Selene stood frozen, her hand still resting on Kael’s shoulder, her eyes wide in disbelief. Her mind couldn’t catch up with the scene unfolding before her. The man she had thought lost forever was here, standing just feet away from her, though so much had changed. So much had happened.Ronan’s cold eyes scanned her, the expression unreadable. For a moment, it was as if the world had come to a standstill. The fierce urgency of the battle, the destruction surrounding them, even Kael’s ragged breaths, all faded into the background.“Ronan…” her voice barely a whisper, barely a breath of air escaping her lungs. Her
The air was thick with tension as Selene crouched beside Kael, trying to steady her breath. The sound of pounding footsteps echoed through the dense forest, growing louder with each passing second. She could hear the snarls of the enemies, their vicious growls almost drowning out the rhythm of her heartbeat. Her body ached from exhaustion, but she pushed through the pain, desperate to protect herself and Kael.“Kael…” she whispered, her voice hoarse with fear. “We need to move. They’re coming for us.”Kael’s eyes, once fierce and filled with fire, now flickered with weariness. He was still partially transformed, the edges of his wolf-like features barely visible beneath his skin. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stood, leaning heavily on the tree beside him.“I’m… not sure how much longer I can keep this up,” Kael admitted, his voice strained. “But we have to hold them off… for a little longer.”The ground trembled as the enemies drew nearer, their presence like an overwhelming shad