CHAPTER 5

Selene’s Point of view

I woke with a start, and with my body drenched in sweat and my heart beating furiously against my rib cage. The remnants of my nightmare and Liam’s pained whimpers, as well as Father’s cold commands, still rang in my head. My fingers immediately found the poisoning dagger under my pillow, with its metallic body grounding me in reality.

Today was the day, the day I would leave behind everything I knew to enter the wolf’s den.

I clenched my jaw as I swung my legs over the edge of my bed. Father’s words from yesterday still echoed in my mind. End him and save your brother. The future of the pack depends on it. As if I needed the reminder.

I dressed quickly and strapped the dagger to my thigh beneath my clothes before storming out of my chambers.

The Silverwood Pack’s training grounds were already lively and yet. Yet the moment I stepped onto the field, an uneasy silence followed in my wake.

“Who’s sparring with me?” I demanded as I rolled my shoulders, as I snatched a practice sword from the rack.

The men exchanged glances and shuffled uncomfortably. None of them met my eyes.

“Selene…“ one of them started hesitantly.

“Don't.” I snapped as I gripped the sword tightly. “Father forbade you from training with me, didn’t he?”

There was silence.

I scoffed. Of course, he did. He wanted me to be weak. He wanted me to be nothing more than a pretty sacrifice and a lamb sent to slaughter.

“Fine.” I hissed as I spun on my heel. “I’ll train alone.”

“Not alone.”

A deep voice cut through my anger, and I turned to see Beta Ronan striding toward me with his own sword already drawn. A smirk tugged at his lips as he twirled the blade effortlessly in his grip.

“Since it’s your last day here,” he said, “I’ll honor you with a proper fight.”

I didn’t hesitate.

I lunged at him with a snarl. Metal clashed against metal with the impact reverberating up my arms. Ronan parried my strikes effortlessly with ease from years of fighting. But I was relentless as my rage fueled every swing.

“You’ve gotten faster,” he noted while deflecting my blade with a flick of his wrist.

“And you’re still holding back.” I shot back as I pivoted to strike low.

He grinned as he sidestepped before countering.

“Not for long.”

The fight became stronger. The men around us stopped their training to watch as we danced through the field with our steel, flashing under the morning sun. Sweat dripped down my temple, and my muscles burned, but I refused to falter. This is what I was meant for.

Finally, with one swift strike, Ronan disarmed me, sending my sword across the dirt.

I glared up at him as I was panting.

He smirked.

“Still one step ahead.”

“I’ll be better next time,” I muttered as I retrieved my blade.

Ronan’s expression softened slightly as he sheathed his sword.

“You always are.” He studied me for a long moment before adding,

 “You know, with skills like these, we could use you on the front lines in the war against the Ash king.”

The mention of war and the Ash King sent bitterness through me.

“Father doesn’t see it that way.”

Ronan sighed.

“No. He doesn’t.” He hesitated before continuing.

 “Selene… just be careful. The Ash King isn’t like anything you know. Legend has it that he…”

“…burned his own mate alive.” I finished coldly. “Yes, I’ve heard the legends.”

His eyes darkened.

“And that’s why the Moon Goddess cursed him. His touch burns everything.” His voice dropped lower. “You have a sharp wit, a sharper tongue, and a temper to match. Don’t let them be your downfall.”

I tightened my grip on my sword as I felt what he wasn’t saying. Please do not make him burn you, too.

Before I could respond, a servant hurried over and bowed hastily.

“Lady Selene, it’s time. The Alpha requests your presence to prepare for the journey.”

The words of farewell stuck in my throat as I met Ronan’s gaze.

“I have to go,” I muttered with my grip still tight around my sword.

He gave a curt nod with his jaw clenched.

“Stay alive.”

I didn’t respond. There was nothing left to say.

The moment I stepped into the throne room, Father’s glare followed me. His eyes flickered over my disheveled state, my sweaty hair, the dirt on my clothes, and the defiant gleam in my eyes.

“Playing with swords today of all days?” He snapped.

 “Do you take this alliance as a joke?”

I clenched my fists.

“I was preparing,” I answered.

“You look like a rogue, not a lady!” he snapped. 

 “Go. Clean yourself. Wear what’s been laid out for you. And for once, act like the daughter of a High Alpha.”

The humiliation burned in me as I was ushered away by silent maids. The gown they forced me into was one I'd never worn before. It was suffocating and made it hard to breathe. I stared at my reflection and barely recognized the figure staring back.

I looked weak, pretty, and expendable, but I swallowed the bitterness.

Father barely spared me another glance, but when I begged to see Liam before leaving, he relented, if only because my brother’s fragile state was the very reason I was being offered as livestock.

Liam sat propped up in bed with his skin too pale and his breathing shallow. The Lupine Sickness had wasted him, turning the boy who once outran me through the forests into a shadow. But his eyes, which were the same as mine, still held warmth.

“Selene,” he rasped as he reached for me.

I clasped his hand, squeezing it tight.

“Don’t look so miserable. I’ll be back before you know it.”

His grip was weak.

“You shouldn’t have to go,” he said with a weak smile.

“And let you rot?” I forced a smirk. “Not a chance. I’ll drag a cure out of that ruthless king myself.”

His lips twitched.

“And kill him?” he asked.

"For Mother and us. I will do that gladly,” I said reassuringly.

Father’s impatience soon shattered the moment.

“Enough. We leave now.”

I squeezed Liam’s hand one last time before letting go.

“Stay alive, little brother.”

His whisper, “You too, “ followed me out the door.

***

The journey was silent as our carriages rolled through forests with the hooves of our escort’s horses thundering like war drums. Ronan rode beside my carriage, but even he couldn’t ease the dread building in me.

Finally came the Ashen Claw Pack.

Their territory was an abomination, and inside the throne room, we were met with such hostility.

The Ash King sat on his throne with his gaze burning through me the instant I was shoved forward.

“Ah,” he drawled with a voice dripping with contempt.

 “The renowned Silverwood heiress. Tell me, do they starve their women, or are you simply born this unimpressive?”

Laughter went through the court, and my blood boiled.

“Unimpressive?” I tilted my head while smiling sweetly.

“Funny. I was just thinking the same about your hospitality. But then again, I suppose burning your guests is more of your style.”

The throne room went deathly quiet with gasps as I dared to talk back.

The Ash King’s expression darkened, and in a moment, he was on his feet, crossing the distance between us in strides, and before I knew it, his fingers clamped around my throat. I immediately closed my eyes, waiting for heaven's light to shine upon my soul...

…and nothing happened.

There was no pain and no blistering flesh.

I felt his grip tighten, and finally opened my eyes to meet his eyes; Those burning, furious eyes widened in shock.

I didn’t burn.