Chapter 2

Selene

I staggered forward. My legs felt like they no longer belonged to me, but I forced them to move. I couldn’t stop. My breaths came fast, my vision blurring, but I pushed through the haze.

I did it.

I really did it.

I escaped death.

Even though I was still bleeding, broken, hanging by a thread, I knew if I got treatment, I could make it. I could heal, and live. The thought made a faint smile tug at my lips.

I looked up and saw the gates of the castle. My home. It was guarded by familiar men in armor. Relief flooded me so hard it nearly dropped me to my knees.

‘We did it, Mira. We’re almost home.’

Mira didn’t answer. My wolf had been silent since the battle. She was a white wolf, one of the strongest in existence, yet when I needed her most, she had vanished just like every other time in my past lives.

Still, I knew she was there, watching, helping in her own way. If not for her, I would already be dead. I didn’t understand her silence, but I told myself that once I was healed, she’d come back to me.

My body swayed as I stumbled toward the gate. One of the guards narrowed his eyes, then shouted, “Huh? Something’s approaching! Raise your arrows!”

“Who are you?! State your business!”

I threw up a trembling hand, my voice hoarse. “Hold! Don’t shoot. It’s me, I’m Luna Selene.”

The men froze, blinking at me in shock. I couldn’t blame them. I must’ve looked nothing like myself, covered in blood, staggering like a beggar at death’s door instead of the graceful Luna they were used to.

I braced my hands on my knees, gasping for air, then forced myself upright. My eyes locked on them. “What are you waiting for? Open the gates. Tell Adrian I’m back.”

The guards didn’t move. Instead, they exchanged looks with one another. And then, slowly, they lifted their bows and aimed them at me.

I blinked, disbelieving. My heart stumbled in my chest. “W-what are you doing?”

I stared at the men, my body swaying, my chest burning with every ragged breath. One of them stepped forward, his voice hard.

“On your knees. You’ve been ordered to be taken into custody.”

My eyes widened. “W-what do you mean, taken into custody? What are you doing? Can’t you see I’m injured?” My voice cracked. “I’ll die if I’m not treated. Call Adrian this instant! If Adrian knew what you were doing, he would never tolerate this disrespect!”

A guard scoffed, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “Yeah, right. On your knees, Selene Bloodrose.”

The full name hit me like a slap. No one dared call the Luna by her full name. I frowned, confused. This was wrong. They knew who I was. They knew my title. And yet, they dared point arrows at me?

I opened my mouth to demand answers, but the gates creaked open.

I turned, relieved to see Adrian stepping out.

He looked as breathtaking as always, long black hair tied back neatly, his red robes flowing, a golden crown glinting atop his head. My Alpha, my mate. The reason I fought this war to begin with.

At his side walked my twin sister, Sienna. She was one of the few people who had always stood by me, supported me, and loved me no matter what. Walking behind them were more guards.

Adrian’s steps were slow. He stopped in front of me. My knees nearly buckled, but I exhaled in relief.

Thank god.

I smiled. “A-Adrian… thank god you’re here. These men are talking nonsense. They won’t let me in, they say I’m to be taken into custody. I know it must be a mistake.” I clutched at my bleeding side. “But I don’t mind, I'm just so tired, Adrian. I need treatment. Please, just—”

I stopped when something caught my eye.

I blinked. My sister was wearing a golden, embroidered robe with the mark of Luna.

The Luna robe.

My heart stuttered, and my blood ran cold.

“W-what… what is this?” My voice was no more than a whisper. I forced my gaze to Adrian, searching for reassurance. “Why is she wearing that?”

He didn’t move, didn't even react to the state I was in. He only stood there, eyes unreadable.

My lips trembled as I licked them, tasting blood. “Adrian… what’s going on?”

Adrian’s eyes met mine. “How did you manage to survive?”

I blinked. My breath caught in my throat. “W-what?”

“How did you survive, Selene? And where are the troops that were sent with you?”

My mouth went dry. I swallowed hard, my body swaying on my feet. I didn’t know what to say. My thoughts were muddled, spinning with exhaustion and blood loss.

Sienna’s voice rang out beside him. “Sister, the Alpha asked you a question. Why are you so quiet? Do you not have an answer?” She tapped her chin as if in thought, her lips curving. “Or… could it be that you used your troops as a distraction and escaped by yourself?”

My eyes widened. I stared at her in disbelief. “W-what are you saying, Sienna?” A distraction? I would never do that.”

One of the guards sneered. “What? You mean she abandoned them? Used her own soldiers to cover her retreat?” He spat at the ground. “Coward.”

I shook my head desperately. “No! I said that’s not true! I didn’t use anybody to escape!”

Adrian’s voice was merciless. “Then how did you escape? Why would that cold-hearted demon let you live?”

I wanted to scream at him that I was dying, that he could at least let me rest before forcing me to answer, but I bit the words back. All I could do was force out the truth through trembling lips.

“I… I don’t know,” I whispered. “He just let me go. Everyone else is dead, but he didn’t kill me.”

Sienna laughed. A mocking chuckle that didn’t sound like my sister at all.

“But why would he let you go, sister? From what I’ve heard, Alpha Damien doesn’t spare anyone. He kills everyone who stands in his way. Oh, unless…” She gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. “Unless you let him and his men inside you. Is that why he let you go?”

My blood boiled at her vile remark.

“Enough!” I snapped, my voice thundering with my Luna command. Sienna stumbled back, her smug smile faltering. Even in my state, I could still put her in her place.

“Don’t make such disgusting assumptions!” I roared, my chest heaving. “I would rather die than let them touch me!”

I turned toward Adrian, my gaze desperate, and pleading. “You have to believe me, Adrian. That’s what happened.”

For a moment, he only stared. His cold green eyes searched mine, but there was no warmth there.

“It doesn’t matter.”

My breath hitched. “W-what?”

“It doesn’t matter what happened out there. What matters is that you weren’t supposed to make it out alive, Selene.”

The ground tilted beneath me. “What are you saying…?”

“I thought I was sparing you,” he continued. “I thought it would be kinder to let you die in battle than to reject you before the entire pack and bury you in shame. But you didn’t die in battle. So I have no choice but to do this.”

“I, Adrian Blackthorn, Alpha of the Mooncrest Pack, reject you, Selene Bloodrose, as my mate.”