Selene exits the bathroom a long while later. As she is choosing the clothes she will wear, someone knocks on the door, and one of the young women who helps in the kitchen enters with a breakfast tray in hand."Good morning, Miss Selene. The alpha asked me to bring your breakfast to your room," the young woman says timidly, with her head bowed, as she approaches a small table to set down what she brought."Has he already left?" Selene is still upset, and not even the beautiful red rose next to the coffee cup can cheer her up. The hunger she had since yesterday has completely vanished, first due to Carla's confrontation, and now due to that little argument with him."Yes, miss. He won’t be back early. Beta Jackson, Mrs. Carla, Beltrán, and other trusted guardians went with him. Generally, when they all go out together, they disconnect completely from the pack and return very late at night."The young woman leaves the room, and Selene is left pondering the oddity of the situation. But s
Saya starts running aimlessly in the opposite direction of where she saw those she-wolves enter. Selene marvels at the scenery through Saya and her eyes. Just like when she first arrived, her eyes widened in amazement. This place is stunning, incomparable to anything she has seen before in the Amazon or Tierra de Pinares. The play of light and shadows created by the sun and the trees is a spectacle to remember forever. They even seem to become one with nature, as Saya can perceive the fluttering of butterflies and the movement of the smallest insects.The breeze is fresh and offers the peace and freedom she longed for, but as they advance, the sequoias become even larger, and her sense of direction gradually fades. Saya isn’t too worried about this situation. She has always been an excellent tracker, and Uriel has taught her a lot about the positions of celestial bodies. Although it is daytime, she can still navigate by the direction of the wind and her keen sense of smell, one of the
Connor spent the entire day at that damned meeting with the council, although at all times he thought of Selene and that argument they had before leaving. He imagined everything would be fine, until he arrived at the mansion and found this disaster. It’s clear that no one notified him because it is forbidden to disturb him during those meetings; he even turned off his phone so that no one could interrupt him. Despite that, everyone in the pack has been ordered to keep Selene away from the border. Everyone knows the reasons—why didn’t anyone stop her? Why weren’t there guardians in that area to prevent her from passing through? Why did she take that exact path and not the other one that leads to the safe zone? There are too many questions swirling in his mind as he ventures into the red forest, as they call it. This is territory claimed by Augusto, his father's bastard brother, the man responsible for the greatest massacre of their pack fifteen years ago. Since then, he and Augusto ha
The way back to the mansion doesn’t take as long for Connor as the journey there did; however, for Selene, it is the most uncomfortable minutes of her life. Her headache has worsened due to the position, and her stomach is in knots. She doesn’t struggle at any moment, doesn’t say anything, nor does she ask questions, as she isn’t even fully aware of what has happened, although she hears her companion growl a couple of times along the way. The alpha carries her into the house, and the reproving look from his mother greets him. “I told you she would try to escape, that she would take advantage of the moment we were outside to do so, and you didn’t believe me. She could have gotten us into serious trouble; someone could have died because of her,” Carla growls through the mental link, her face contorted. Connor doesn’t respond, but from his expression, it’s evident that what his mother said affects him more deeply. “Brother…” Clarisse attempts to say something as she follows him, bu
Connor feels how she doubles over in pain as tears fill her eyes. Selene stopped physically fighting against him a few minutes ago and now focuses her remaining mental strength and willpower on repelling the connection he is imposing on her. She doesn't want to lose the only thing she has left of Dexter, at least not this way. She knew it would have to happen someday, but she is not ready for this. Connor has no idea of the damage he is causing her.Her eyes are closed, and the pain spreads from her shoulder to the rest of her body. Saya is restless and howling in her mind, not knowing what to do, because she doesn't want to fight against her mate's blood, but she also doesn't believe this is the way.Dexter's last memories flash before Selene's eyes, burning her gaze, breaking her heart into pieces. The pain and the aura Connor is using against her are too much for her. She can see in her mind the beautiful smile of her former mate when they recognized each other that night, he was t
"I did it for her own good. You know perfectly well what Augusto is capable of. Selene had the damn luck that this time it didn't escalate, but knowing that rogue, I know he has something else planned," Connor replies, still angry."Leaving aside Augusto's intentions, Connor, do you think Selene is going to wake up tomorrow and smile at you? Do you think she will simply forgive you for forcing her to bear your mark?""It wasn't how I planned it, but after she disobeyed me, I had no other choice. How did she expect me to react to what she did? She put herself in danger, she put the pack in danger, I couldn't let this go without doing something about it.""Well, ideally, you should have sat down and talked to her about the attack, about Augusto, about the council's rules, and about the agreement your father left," Jackson says, making Connor tense up. "I don't see Selene as an irrational person, quite the opposite. Besides, we know her parents, both are exceptional people, I'm sure your
Connor's phone rings loudly in his pants pocket, making him frown as it pulls him from his thoughts. He turns and looks at Selene, who is still in the same position since the morning. It's now afternoon, and he hasn't left her side for a second. He postponed all his activities and asked Jackson for help with the most urgent pack matters so he could stay with her.The doctor returned because the alpha asked her to take a blood sample from Selene to run all the necessary tests. She is due back shortly to report the results.Connor carefully gets up from the bed after leaving a kiss on his mate's forehead and walks to the balcony to take the call. He has no idea who it might be, but they've called a couple of times, so he assumes it must be important and that they will likely keep insisting if he doesn't answer now."Blazeheart?" he hears a deep voice from the other end as he picks up the call."Who's speaking?" Alpha Connor asks, looking at the number on his screen again."Turn on the c
Selene's improvement is immediate with the antidote. The dark spots on her hands and back slowly begin to disappear. Uriel has called a couple of times asking about his granddaughter and has calmed down seeing her improvement.Alpha Connor takes advantage of the night's silence and his lack of sleep and asks Jackson to check the email Katrina had sent him earlier, as he does not want to leave his mate alone.Jackson, accompanied by Alexia, opens the email that Selene's mother had sent to Connor the day he claimed her, surprised to find many attachments—not just the medical documents the alpha mentioned, but also several videos and photos of her from when she was young."Is that why...?" Alexia asks, but the words get stuck in her throat as she watches a specific video that leaves them both deep in thought."Most likely, yes," Jackson replies, still engrossed, his eyes fixed on the playback of a birthday party from several years ago. On top of the birthday cake is a number 4, and sever
"I know that nothing I say right now can heal the wound in your heart after what you saw, but I beg you to listen to Connor. Your distance is killing him—he hasn’t even been able to heal properly. Please, Selene, don’t let him die.""He made his own decisions, Clarisse—just like all of you did. You all preferred to lie to me instead of making me part of what was happening so we could find a solution together. You never truly considered me part of your pack, nor your Luna. You made me look like a fool, the laughingstock of everyone."Clarisse begins to sob."We never wanted that to happen, I swear. We tried everything to keep you from suffering because of this.""But it happened! And I’m afraid it’s too late to fix it!" Selene exclaims.Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overtakes her. She tries to hold onto the door, but before she can steady herself, she collapses to the floor, unconscious.Clarisse screams at the top of her lungs. A few omegas in the house rush to help. Beltrán carries S
"I know you hate my mother for the way she's treated you since you arrived, but this is too much. Do you have any proof of what you're saying? Why would she do something like that against her own pack?"Selene gives him a sad smile while shaking her head."Will you ever trust anything I say?" Selene's question hits the alpha like a bucket of cold water. Connor tries to say something, but she cuts him off. "I already know the answer, and frankly, I don’t know why I’m still here, trying to open the eyes of someone who prefers to remain in the dark. You’re not worth my effort, Alpha Blazeheart.""Doctor Moreira, Grandpa, everyone, please explain to the alpha the treatment we're going to do with the children. Nothing more." Selene gives the order in a firm voice.She stands up from the chair and swiftly leaves the room. She hears her mate calling her, but she lacks both the will and the patience to keep fighting.Once outside the clinic, she rushes toward the forest. When she arrives, she
“What are you doing here, Connor?” Selene shoots a stern look at her mate as he enters the office. “You’re still recovering.”The alpha is so pale he looks like he might faint at any moment. His hospital gown barely covers his torso and part of his thigh. He looks not only exhausted and hollow-eyed but also utterly pathetic in that flimsy garment.Kaelan makes no move to stand, nor does he bother to look at him. Yet he can smell his jealousy and he smiles. This only fuels the alpha’s irritation.“How did this lycan get into our pack?” Connor demands, glancing between Selene and Kaelan. “Why didn’t anyone inform me of his arrival?”“Connor, Kaelan Darkmane is an old friend of mine. He came to accompany me on some matters. I apologize for not informing you earlier, that was my fault,” Uriel interjects.“There’s no need for you to explain, Grandpa.” Selene throws a sharp glance at her mate. “I will take care of our guests, and then I’ll come speak with you.” Now she addresses Connor dire
Jackson’s growl diverts the attention of both Selene and Kaelan, who returns a haughty glance. He knows Jackson poses no threat to him. Lycans are much larger, more powerful, and even live far longer than a werewolf. It would take at least a dozen of them to stand a chance against him. “Calm down.” Uriel appears out of nowhere, stepping between an enraged Jackson and the guest. Selene throws herself into her grandfather’s arms, seeking the comfort she so desperately craves, uncaring of the eyes watching her. After a moment, a deliberate cough breaks their embrace. Selene looks up, embarrassed, at the towering and extravagant man standing just a step away, his gaze never having left her since they met. Kaelan observes her closely, scrutinizing her from head to toe, trying to catch even the smallest detail. This little one has a peculiar scent, one that unsettles his lycan and that he cannot quite decipher. Her aura is powerful, in stark contrast to her diminutive frame. Jackson r
Kaelan’s growl reverberates through the forest, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Even Uriel covers his ears, overwhelmed by its sheer power. Knowing that the demon is still out there, free and destroying more lives—just as she had done to nearly his entire family—fills him with indescribable pain and rage. He can’t bear the thought that she’s alive, that she’s gotten away with this for so many years without anyone realizing it. “We need a plan,” Uriel reasons, though Kaelan is so consumed by fury that he can barely control his breathing. “Tell me where she is, and I’ll kill her. I don’t need a plan for that—I’ll rip her head off and burn her.” “Kaelan, please. My sister and granddaughter are under her control. Many people in that pack have already died, and more will die if we don’t act carefully. We need to neutralize her power before we can destroy her.” Kaelan bares his fangs in frustration, but after a tense moment, he nods reluctantly. Once he regains some semb
Uriel stays hidden for a long time, waiting for that woman to leave so he can find a way inside and check if Lilith is here. He hasn’t seen her, nor can he sense her presence, but something in his heart tells him she’s here, and he refuses to leave until he’s certain. Luckily for him, there are no guards—none at all—which makes things much easier. At dawn, Carla finally walks away from the cabin, and he manages to break the weak spell on the door to get inside. He never thought that, after so many years of being inactive, he’d have to use his gifts for something like this. He raises a hand to his nose as the stench of dampness and decay hits him full force. This place is worthy of Eisheth. Only a creature as vile and steeped in darkness as her could tolerate staying here. The smell is disgusting, and the atmosphere is so oppressive it feels like it’s crushing his head and chest. He can’t breathe, let alone think clearly. An ordinary person wouldn’t be able to survive here for long
Selene returns to the pack’s house mid-morning. She had slept far too long at the spring, which might explain why she feels more refreshed and calmer than yesterday, though her stomach growls in protest from hunger. There is absolute silence when she opens the door to the mansion. She only spots one of the omegas busy cleaning, who doesn’t even notice her arrival. She imagines Clarisse must be with Connor, and Carla taking care of her great treasure: Inés and the pup she’s expecting. Thinking of her, and the being growing inside her womb, makes Selene feel sick. She rushes to her room, heading straight for the bathroom. She hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday, and though she gags a few times over the toilet, nothing comes out—there’s nothing to get rid of. Resigned, she sits on the floor and reflects on how strange she’s been feeling these past days. What’s happening to her? What’s causing these sudden and drastic changes? Even Saya is behaving differently—more cautious. Once
“And to think they called me rebellious for still mourning him,” Selene whispers to her reflection in the water. Her eyes fill with tears. Despite the pain of losing him, Dexter has now become a beautiful memory in her life. “How could I ever forget him when he gave his life for me? How does someone just move on from that overnight?” She runs her fingers through the water, letting the pain wash over her. But the truth is, she isn’t crying for Dexter now—she’s crying for Connor. She remembers his attempt to explain, and her sobbing deepens. What justification could there possibly be for what he did? He was with another woman, and worst of all, he got her pregnant. He did it knowingly—he admitted it himself. What more does she need to understand? She can’t wait to finish her duties as Luna and leave this place forever. Suddenly, the crunching of branches makes her lift her head. A gray wolf with a few orange patches comes into view, and Selene recognizes her instantly. “What do
Saya reaches the spring, the place where she was last with Connor. That night, their intimacy had felt vastly different from other times, as if their connection had grown stronger. She had never felt so completely his; yet now, it is entirely the opposite. At the water’s edge, she shifts, and Selene gazes at the gentle movement of the water, overcome by a profound sadness. She still cannot comprehend what went wrong, why the Moon Goddess brought her here, so far from home and among people she had never known, only to make her suffer. Is she being punished for something she did wrong? Does she deserve this? First, the goddess took Dexter from her, the only person who had been by her side, caring for her since they were children. They were so close that he practically lived at the packhouse with her. Her parents never objected to their friendship and were happy to see her happy. The love they shared was always unconditional. During her most critical health crises, he was always ther