Full moon of October 2023, at some point in the Tierra de Pinares forest, time: 03:00 in the morning...
The air thickened with a silence heavy with tragedy as Selene watched the scene before her in horror. Her beloved's body lay lifeless on the ground, surrounded by the darkness of the night and the cruelty of the rogues. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but her heart refused to believe what she saw. It couldn't be true. She couldn't accept that the man she was destined to spend eternity with, the one who had marked her soul under the moonlight, now lay cold and lifeless in front of her.
"Dexter, please, wake up. You can't leave me like this!" Selene pleaded, her voice breaking with anguish, but there was no response.
It was too late; Dexter was dead, and Selene's heart was shattered. From her mark, a watery red liquid, much like blood, began to ooze. Her body trembled terribly, and her heartbeats slowed to the point where she believed she too might die.
"Please..." she whispered again, taking her beloved's face in both hands before pressing her lips to his in one last fleeting kiss.
There was absolutely nothing that could be done. A harrowing scream escaped her lips, filling the forest with her pain. Denial seized her, wrapping her in a dark cloak of despair. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Selene clung to the fragile hope that it was all a nightmare from which she would soon awaken. She refused to accept that her destiny had been so cruelly snatched away, that the love she had found was as fleeting as a flash in the night. In her heart, the flame of resistance burned fiercely, challenging fate itself to take away what she loved most. No! The Moon Goddess could not have been so cruel to her.
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This is a work of fiction about werewolves.
All characters and events described in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously for entertainment purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or real events is purely coincidental. All kinds of events are depicted here, so I recommend reading responsibly. If you are a fan of these kinds of stories, I invite you to stay and enjoy.Hello everyone, dear readers, thank you for being here again, sharing with me a new story. Here we will read about Selene Shadowfang, the daughter of Ragnar Shadowfang and Katrina Grimlore from the novel "Return of the Betrayed MATE". If you haven't read that novel yet, I recommend you go and do it before reading this one so you can understand many of the actions of the protagonists and events that will influence this plot.
With nothing else to add, I hope you enjoy it a lot, here you will find drama, romance, unexpected events, second chances, revenge, and lots of love.
Don't forget to leave your comments, it's always good to read them in order to improve every day.
Sending you lots of love and good vibes, LibethCa.
One year after the attack...“How do I look in this dress?” Rouse spins in front of her sister, a broad smile on her face. “I think this color is divine, and besides, Mom loves white, so she’ll definitely approve.”Rouse glances at Selene through the mirror and shakes her head. Her sister is absorbed in her cellphone, completely ignoring her.“Selene!” Rouse calls, hands on her hips, frowning at her. Rouse is very sweet and charming, but she hates when her sister does that.“What?!” Selene’s question only confirms to Rouse that she hasn’t been paying attention at all. Clearly, she’s only here out of obligation because Katrina ordered it.“You should choose yours. This is the last store we’re visiting, sister, and you haven’t tried on or bought anything. Our mother will be angry if you’re not dressed properly, remember that many...” “Many packs from all over the world will be present. We need to make a good impression on the guests,” Selene finishes her sister’s sentence sarcastically
Selene doesn't dare to breathe loudly. She is literally trapped between two huge mountains with orange-red hair, making her look even smaller than she is. Both men at her sides are too big, and their legs even suffer in the back seat of the car. What kind of wolves are they? Not even her father or brother are this big. Why had she never seen or heard about them before? What is that scent they emit?Selene stopped struggling the exact moment she realized she was at a clear disadvantage. The man on her left hasn't stopped staring at her, and that silly smile on his face gives her the creeps. What's his problem? Does he find something on her face amusing? Aren’t his cheeks hurting from smiling so much? She tries to scoot away from him, but it's impossible to move even half a centimeter without bumping into the other one.The man on her right hasn’t moved the entire trip. He keeps his eyes closed, and his broad hand rests on his thigh while his long fingers move in a coordinated way, as i
“Are you okay, my little rebel?” Uriel stands beside Selene on the balcony, where she is watching the crowd in the courtyard of Alba Noctis Castle. He has noticed that his granddaughter has been very quiet and restless since last night. It could be the full moon affecting her, but he hasn't seen her like this since that night she found her mate a year ago.“I’m fine, Grandpa,” Selene clears her throat and rubs her hands against her clothes, clearly uncomfortable. Uriel can see Saya moving restlessly in his granddaughter's mind, wagging her tail and whining.“Why haven’t you gone down yet? There are many wolves your age down there. You could have a lot of fun.”“I don’t want to go, Grandpa. All those people suffocate me.”“We already had this conversation, Selene, three days ago, when you came back from shopping, grumbling about a certain ‘Mr. Carrot.’ You promised you would do it for your mother. She will be very disappointed if you don’t participate, at least for a few hours. You’re
"You?" Selene looks at Jackson in surprise, who currently occupies her entire frontal view. Her brow furrows, and for a few seconds, she seems incredulous about what is happening. Saya is also watching attentively from Selene's eyes, but when Connor slowly arrives at her position and stands in front of his cousin, her heart races like never before."Mate!" Saya chirps inside her mind, almost surfacing, but Selene doesn't give her space. The young woman opens her mouth but fails to say anything at all.Connor looks directly into her eyes, and from his expression, he seems as confused as she is. When he tries to take a step towards her, Selene transforms and runs towards the path, quickly disappearing into the dense forest. Connor makes a move to transform as well to follow her, but a hand on his shoulder stops him."Give her some space," Ethan says, looking sternly at what he now knows is his sister's destined mate. He felt it when Connor passed by him a moment ago to reach her. He had
"Wake up, little rebel sister," Rouse pulls the tangled blanket off Selene's body before going to open the curtains in her room, a threatening growl is Selene's response when the sun hits her face. "They're waiting for you in the office. Come on, hurry up, it's the third time I've been sent to fetch you.""Leave me alone, Rouse! I'm sleepy," she complains, covering her face with a pillow. "Tell them I'm not going. It's barely dawn.""No, Selene. I won't leave you alone because Dad said he would come for you if you didn't come down in the next fifteen minutes. Besides, it's already noon.""Dad's back already?" Selene sits up abruptly, rubbing her eyes and yawning."Yes, he arrived early this morning. Alpha Connor and his beta have been meeting with him for two hours now.""I'm not going. I don't care what they have to tell me, I've already decided, they're not going to change my mind."Selene lies back down, and Rouse sighs at her sister's words. No matter what they've told her, she's
Selene's gut clenches, and her hands start sweating. Mr. Carrot stands up and looks into her eyes, making her feel extremely drawn to his gaze, to his scent, and wanting to feel that warmth again that emanated from his body when he held her the other day. What will she feel when he holds her again? It's likely that when that happens, they'll be alone, and that idea scares her a bit, although she doesn't entirely dislike it.As if something were pulling her, she takes a step toward him, and Connor smiles slightly. He can see it in her eyes; she's feeling the bond as strongly as he does. Too bad they're in front of so many people, or he would have taken her in his arms, just like at the clinic.Selene takes another step and another, and to Connor's surprise, when she reaches him, she walks past him and goes to Ragnar, her father."Father, I didn't know you were back already," she says as she approaches and gives him a lingering kiss on the cheek."I arrived in the early hours, princess,
“Let’s get this straight, Mr. Carrot, I…”“Connor,” the alpha growls, interrupting and pulling her back onto his lap.“Whatever. I’ll go with you… Connor, because I have no other choice since my family signed that alpha agreement with you, but that doesn’t mean you can mark me or mate with me against my will.” Connor frowns at her words.“We can come to an agreement regarding mating, but as for the marking, I don’t think…”“You don’t think anything,” Selene tries to get up again, but Connor wraps both arms around her waist, holding her in place. “You will not force me; I won’t allow it. I do not agree with this bond, and I’ve told you already. No forced marking and no forced mating.”“And how long do you think you can resist?” Connor brushes some strands of hair from her face before running his fingertip along the tip of her nose. Selene’s lower abdomen tightens, and Connor can sense her turmoil. The hair on her arms stands on end, and she mentally curses herself for being so weak at
Selene sits on the couch while Connor takes a shower before their trip. They are already at the hotel, and Jackson has picked up Connor's belongings. They are only waiting for him to be ready so they can leave for North America.Just as she gets up to look out the window, the imposing figure of Connor emerges from the bathroom, filling her view as he dries his mouth. He's wearing only a towel around his waist, revealing almost his entire body—well-defined muscles, creamy skin, and the chest hair that forms a trail disappearing into his V-line. Yes, for a few seconds, she wants to reach out and trace that trail with her finger to the limit.He walks past her, and she can’t help but turn to look at him. Her cousin was right; Connor is definitely the wet dream of quite a few girls, and that will end up being a problem.“If you don’t close your mouth, you’ll drool on the floor,” Connor teases with a mischievous smile. Even he is surprised at himself for joking and playing with her, as it’
That same night, Inés is taken to the place where she will serve her sentence—a remote and sinister location that has remained untouched for far too long. The dungeon's whereabouts are known only to the alphas, passed down from generation to generation. It is guarded by Terrakais, making it far easier to enter than to leave. No prisoner has ever escaped, and those who have dared to try met their end within mere meters, buried beneath mountains of sand and tangled vines. Her face and reaction upon seeing the place are unforgettable. Her screams of desperation and horror are swallowed by the forest. The following morning, the entire pack feels different, as if a new energy has settled over them. They begin moving early. After training, Jackson and the others start organizing the repairs. Clarisse continues helping at the clinic, while Connor immerses himself in the administrative matters he has neglected for far too long. His goal is to have everything cleaned up and in order by t
"Bring the prisoner!" The alpha’s voice startles Doctor Mirna, who shifts uneasily in her seat. A few minutes later, Inés’s screams echo throughout the place. Her appearance is deplorable—she is dirty, emaciated, and covered in half-healed wounds. "Connor, please!" she cries between sobs. "You don’t have to do this. Please, please, please..." The guards escorting her shove her toward the center. She falls to the ground. "Inés Emberclaw, omega of the Redwood Wolves pack, you are here tonight to be judged for the crimes of criminal association, betrayal of your pack, accessory to murder, and many other offenses." One of the elders stands and addresses her after the alpha gives the order. "How do you plead?" "I’m inno...cent, I swear," she responds between choked sobs. Connor watches her with no trace of emotion on his face. The trial continues for several hours. Nearly all those involved come forward to give their statements. At one point, Maya turns to her side and realiz
Somewhere in the Highlands…Lilith walks slowly, carrying a tray of food in her hands. It’s likely that Selene won’t touch it, just like she hasn’t in the past few days, but she still tries to get her to change her mind. She opens the door and enters with a broad smile."Good morning," she greets her. "How are you feeling this morning?""Good morning," Selene responds in a low, slightly hoarse voice. "I feel much better, Aunt. The wound barely hurts anymore.""That concoction I made never fails. I knew it would help with your injury, but that’s not what I’m asking about, Selene." Lilith places the tray on the small terrace table before returning to sit beside her on the bed. "I mean this." She points at Selene’s chest. "How is that heart feeling today?"Selene averts her gaze without answering. There’s no need to be a mind reader to know what’s going through her head right now. In the days she has been here, Lilith has learned to read her well—she knows she’s suffering deeply, but lea
Alpha Connor runs toward the training field. Just before reaching the massive stone wall, he shifts into Sorem, deliberately slamming his body against it with all his strength.He does it over and over again. The wall begins to crack and crumble little by little, while blood gushes from his forehead.His sister’s screams from behind him do nothing to quell his frustration, his pain, or his rage. The only way to stay alive without Selene is to push his body to the limit, to remind himself every day that he deserves this punishment, that he deserves to suffer and feel pain for what he did."Connor, please, stop. You’re hurting yourself," his sister pleads, trying to reach him, but Sorem growls at her, forcing her to step back.This scene repeats itself every single day since Selene disappeared. The female guards surround him, attempting to stop him, but they know they won’t be able to—not until he has had enough.A few minutes later, much of the wall has collapsed, becoming just another
One week later…Limping, Kaelan walks through the clinic’s hallways until he reaches one of the rooms. He opens the door, and his smile widens at the sight of the red-haired woman busily tending to the children."You shouldn’t be wandering around here, King Kaelan," Clarisse says, still with her back to him. "As far as I know, the doctor hasn’t discharged you yet.""If Muhammad won’t go to the mountain, then the mountain must go to Muhammad," he replies, stepping closer to her. His mere proximity makes the hairs on her body stand on end."I’m busy," Clarisse points toward the room. Fortunately, all the pups are recovering well, and it seems they’ll be discharged soon. "And you’re still injured. Go back to your room, please."Kaelan moves even closer. His nose brushes against her neck, and she shudders instantly."I needed to smell your scent," he says, inhaling deeply. "I’d heal faster if you visited me more often. I’m your mate."Clarisse swallows hard, trying to loosen the knot in h
Eisheth smiles, her eyes fixed on Selene's. Inés keeps crying, which irritates her immensely. She can't believe that this runt managed to capture her and, on top of that, is threatening her with her own dagger. What a complete failure!"Come get her, monster," Selene urges, a smile also on her face as she presses the dagger a little harder until tiny drops of blood become visible on Eisheth’s skin. She doesn’t intend to harm her, but if she’s going to use her as bait, it has to be convincing.Eisheth readies herself and strides toward her in a menacing manner, but in the end, she recites a few phrases in an unknown language, and all the wolves of her own pack begin to surround her, growling."You think I’m going to face you when I have them to do it for me?" Eisheth gestures toward them. "I won’t kill you. He will do it for me."She beckons to Connor with her index finger, and he starts moving toward her, menacing, baring his fangs. Both Uriel and Kaelan step forward to intervene, but
Saya watches the events unfold from a distance. Her aura is intensifying rapidly as she sees the members of her pack attacking her grandfather and the others. They are all obeying Carla—or rather, the monster that is now revealing its true face. Her blood boils within her veins, unable to tolerate what is happening. However, she remains out of sight, waiting until she has a clear objective. Dr. Moreira is right—she must be cautious and move carefully to avoid endangering her pup. Charging in without a plan is, in fact, a very bad plan.From her position, her gaze remains locked on the monster responsible for all this chaos. Her fury grows, and with a low growl, the lowest branches of the sequoias begin to spiral and tremble, alerting Eisheth. A portion of the dark mist disperses for a few seconds before settling back into place. The Terrakai begin to grow uneasy. No one understands what is happening—except the spirits of the earth, who can sense their goddess, gifted by the moon, near
Inés arrives at the pack and finds massive destruction. There is shattered glass, furniture scattered everywhere, and to top it all off, that strange storm approaching quickly, making the atmosphere feel heavy, suffocating.She runs through the hallways and reaches the intensive care unit, where all the pack’s pups are. This seems to be the only intact place. The doctor and the physician who came from the Amazon are tending to the patients. Both turn around, startled, upon hearing the door open.“What are you doing here, miss?” Dr. Moreira asks with a frown. It seems she is the only one in the pack who has not suffered from the crisis. “Where were you? Are you hurt?”“Where is everyone? What happened here?” Inés ignores his questions and asks her own.“They all started acting strangely, then ran into the forest,” Ayanell responds with a shudder.She witnessed the worst of it. It all started while she was in a meeting with the pups’ families, explaining the treatment they were about to
Hours earlier… Selene sleeps deeply while Connor watches her closely. Sorem purrs on her chest, and despite multiple attempts to convince him to return to his own room, he refuses. Even Uriel has tried to persuade him more than once, but without success. “You need care too, Alpha. Those wounds don’t look good,” says Doctor Moreira, approaching to check Selene’s vital signs. “The moon is stable and asleep; there’s no need for you to stay by her side all the time.” Connor says nothing. However, he remains clinging to her hand. Of course, he feels pain—his wounds have yet to heal—but being with her is his priority now. Seeing his resolve, both Moreira and Uriel give up and leave them alone. The Alpha lies down beside his mate, and by instinct, Selene nestles against his chest. Both of them relax until they fall asleep, tightly embraced. When Selene wakes up, the scent of her mate sends a not-so-subtle shiver through her entire body. She doesn’t need to open her eyes to know w