Chapter 3 - A Pull I Couldn't Ignore

Selene's POV

The morning sun barely lit the sky when servants woke me. The Courtship Trials were starting today.

I dressed in a simple purple gown and made my way to the arena. Hundreds of people already filled the seats. Everyone wanted to watch the suitors prove themselves.

Luna rushed up to me, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Finally! Something interesting. I was so bored yesterday with all that formal introduction nonsense."

I smiled despite my nervousness. Luna always knew how to lighten my mood.

"Three trials over three days," she continued.

"Strength today, wisdom tomorrow, magic the day after. May the best man win your heart." She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Luna!"

"What? I'm just saying, that Adrian fellow seems nice. And handsome. Did you see those eyes?"

My cheeks heated.

"I barely know him."

"But you want to," Luna teased.

"I saw how you looked at each other last night."

Before I could respond, trumpets blared. The trials were beginning.

Morgana stood at the center of the arena, her voice magically amplified.

"Welcome to the first trial! Today, our suitors will demonstrate their strength and combat skills. Each will face an opponent in single combat."

One by one, suitors entered the ring.

Lord Marcus fought with brutal efficiency but no grace. Sir Aldwin was skilled but cold. Prince Dorian talked too much and nearly lost because of it.

Then Thorne stepped into the arena.

His opponent was a hired warrior, experienced and strong. But Thorne didn't just defeat him. He destroyed him.

Every hit was vicious. When the warrior tried to yield, Thorne didn't stop. He kept attacking until the man lay bloody on the ground, barely conscious.

The crowd cheered. They thought it showed power.

I felt sick.

"Well," Luna whispered beside me.

"He's certainly... thorough."

Thorne walked toward where I sat, his smile sharp.

"For you, my lady. I would destroy anyone who threatened you."

The way he said it sounded like a promise. And a threat.

I forced a smile.

"Thank you for the demonstration."

His eyes narrowed at my formal tone, but he bowed and left the arena.

Finally, Adrian's name was called.

My heart jumped when I saw him walk into the ring. He wore simple fighting clothes that showed his strong build. But he moved differently than the others. Graceful. Controlled.

His opponent was another hired warrior, younger and eager.

The fight began.

Adrian was fast. He dodged attacks instead of blocking them, always staying just out of reach. When he did strike, it was precise. Never more than necessary.

Within minutes, he had his opponent disarmed and on the ground. But instead of continuing like Thorne had, Adrian offered his hand and helped the man up.

The crowd seemed confused. Some even booed.

"Too soft," I heard Morgana mutter from her seat. .

"How can he protect a mate if he won't finish his opponents?"

Something inside me snapped.

"True strength is knowing when to stop," I said loudly enough for those around us to hear.

"Anyone can be brutal. It takes real power to show mercy."

Morgana's eyes flashed with anger, but she said nothing.

Adrian looked up at me from the arena. Our eyes met. He smiled, small and genuine, and something warm spread through my chest.

"Oh, you're definitely in trouble," Luna whispered.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about Adrian. About how different he was from the other suitors.

I decided to walk in the palace gardens. The moon was full and bright, lighting the paths between the flowers.

I turned a corner and stopped.

Adrian sat on a bench near the rose bushes. He looked up when he heard me, surprise crossing his face.

"Can't sleep either?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Too much on my mind."

"May I sit?"

"Please."

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment. The night air was cool and sweet with the smell of flowers.

"You were impressive today," I said.

"In the arena."

"I lost points with the crowd. They thought I was weak."

"You weren't weak. You were kind. There's a difference."

He looked at me, his silver eyes catching the moonlight.

"Not many people see it that way."

"Then not many people are paying attention."

He smiled.

"You're not what I expected."

"What did you expect?"

"Someone more... cold, maybe? Distant? You're a noble lady about to choose a powerful mate. I thought you'd be more concerned with politics than people."

"I am concerned with people. That's why I hate the politics."

He laughed. It was a warm sound that made my heart beat faster.

We talked for hours. About everything and nothing. He told me about his travels, the places he'd seen. I told him about my studies, my work in the healing ward.

With every word, I felt the pull between us growing stronger.

At one point, our hands touched on the bench between us. Neither of us pulled away.

"Selene," he said quietly. My name sounded different when he said it. Important.

"I—"

Then he jerked back like he'd been burned. His hand went to his shoulder, face twisting in pain.

"Are you hurt?" I reached for him.

"No, I'm fine. Just an old injury. Acts up sometimes." He stood quickly.

"I should go. It's late."

"Wait, Adrian—"

But he was already walking away, his steps fast and uneven.

I sat there frustrated and confused. Every time we got close, something stopped him.

What was he hiding?

The next day was the wisdom trial.

We gathered in the great library. Each suitor had to solve complex magical riddles.

Most of the suitors struggled. Thorne got through by using logic, forcing answers instead of finding them elegantly.

Then came Adrian's turn.

The riddle master asked: "What creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"

"A human," Adrian answered immediately.

"A baby crawls, an adult walks, an elder uses a cane."

"Correct. Next riddle: A werewolf and a witch are trapped in a burning building. They are enemies, but only one can escape. Who survives?"

The room went silent. It was a trick question.

Thorne had answered earlier: "The witch, obviously. She has the intelligence to save herself while the beast panics."

The crowd had laughed and agreed.

Now everyone waited to see what Adrian would say.

"Neither," Adrian said quietly.

"If they're truly trapped and only one can escape, the survivor carries guilt forever. Better they work together and both survive. Enemies can become allies when survival depends on it."

The crowd murmured. Some looked impressed. Others skeptical.

But I saw Thorne's face go red with anger.

"That's ridiculous," Thorne snapped. "Werewolves are mindless beasts. They can't be reasoned with or trusted. Everyone knows that."

Adrian's hands clenched into fists. For just a second, his eyes flashed silver, brighter than normal, almost glowing.

Then he blinked and they were normal again.

My heart stopped.

No. It was impossible.

"Some believe that," Adrian said, his voice tight.

"But believing something doesn't make it true."

The tension in the room was thick. Morgana stepped in before it could escalate.

"Both answers show different kinds of wisdom. Let's move on."

But I couldn't move on. I kept staring at Adrian, my mind racing.

Those eyes. That flash of silver.

The black wolf that saved me had silver eyes.

Adrian had silver eyes.

I was being ridiculous. Werewolves couldn't dare enter the witch territory.

The magic trial was announced for the next day.

I saw Adrian's face when they announced it. He went pale. His hands shook before he hid them in his pockets.

He was scared. But why?

That night, I couldn't sleep again.

I went to the library, thinking a book might calm my racing thoughts.

The library was dark except for one lamp burning in the corner.

Adrian sat there, surrounded by books. He was so focused he didn't hear me approach.

I saw the title of the book he was reading:

"Forbidden Magics: Cross-Species Transformation."

My blood went cold.

He looked up and saw me. His face went white. He quickly closed the book and stood up.

"Selene. I didn't know anyone else was awake."

"What are you reading?" My voice came out shakier than I wanted.

"Just studying for tomorrow's trial. You know, making sure I'm prepared."

"That's a book about transformation magic. Why would you need that?"

"I—" He stopped. Started again.

"It's complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it." I stepped closer.

"Adrian, what are you hiding from me?"

He looked torn. Like he wanted to tell me but couldn't.

"I can't," he finally whispered.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"Selene—"

Suddenly, bells started ringing throughout the palace. Loud and urgent.

Guards rushed past the library, their voices panicked.

"Werewolf spotted in the east wing!"

"Lock down the palace!"

"Find it before it hurts someone!"

My heart stopped.

I looked at Adrian.

His face had gone completely white. His eyes were wide with fear.

And on his shoulder, visible through his thin sleep shirt, I saw something glowing.

A silver crescent mark. Shining with moonlight.

A werewolf mark.

"No," I whispered.

Adrian looked at me, and in his eyes I saw everything. Guilt. Fear. Love. Desperation.

"Selene, please, let me explain—"

But I was already backing away.

The guards' shouts got closer.

And all I could think was: The man I was falling for was the thing I'd been taught to hate my entire life.