Four

Selene

Draven's words hung in the air like a blade poised to fall.

"She's mine now."

The forest was silent now, the rogues' whimpers fading into the distance, their retreat marked by the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs. Meanwhile, the massive wolf stood before me, his black fur streaked with silver, his golden eyes piercing through the darkness.

Draven's form shimmered, bones cracking as he shifted back to human. When he was fully transformed, his leather armor clung to his broad frame, scars crisscrossing his chest, visible through the open laces of his tunic. His dark hair that still had streaks of silver, fell into his golden eyes, which held mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

He was dangerous, no question, but I knew if he wanted me dead, I'd be sipping ale at the Moon godess' temple by now. Either way, I tightened my grip on the dagger, and squared by stance despite the pain. He'd chased off the rogues, but that didn't make him my savior.

"Yours?" I said, my voice holding an edge, though my legs were still trembling from the fight. "I don't belong to anyone, Shadowfang. Not Kaelen, and sure as hell not you."

His lips twitched, a faint smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Bold words for a woman bleeding out in rogue territory."

I wiped the blood from my cheek, ignoring the burn. "I was handling it. Rogues aren't new to me."

"Clearly," he said, his tone dry, almost teasing.

He stepped closer, his boots silent on the forest floor. "You're Kealen's mate."

"Congratulations. You know me," I said, my voice steady, fiery. "Now what do you want, Nightbane?"

He chuckled. "Rejected, I take it?"

The words stung, but I didn't respond. Instead, I met his gaze head on.

He tilted his head, studying me. "Running, are you?"

"Strategizing," I corrected. "Not that it's any of your business."

He chuckled again, a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. "Oh, you're quite intriguing." he said with a smile. "A woman like you... hunter, fighter, scorned Luna.. has value. Especially to me."

My mind raced. Value. He wasn't here out of kindness; Draven Nightbane didn't have a kind bone in his body, if the stories were true. He was a tactician, a warrior who'd built Shadowfang into a rival power through blood and cunning. And now he was looking at me like I was a weapon he could wield.

"Spit it out," I said, my tone demanding. "What's your angle?"

"No angle," he replied, his voice smooth but edged with steel. He stepped closer still, close enough that I could see the faint scar running along his jaw. "Just an offer. Sanctuary in Shadowfang territory. Protection from Kaelen's hunters and from rogues. A chance to strike back at the man who broke you."

"I'm not broken," I snapped, fire blazing in my chest. The bond pulsed again, Kaelen's presence a faint echo of his time with Lysandra, and I gritted my teeth. "And I don't need your charity."

"You know I don't do charity," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I'm proposing an alliance. You know Bloodfang's secrets... its defenses, its weaknesses, its heart. I want Kaelen's head on a pike, and from how you sound, I'm sure you want the same. We can help each other."

I squarred my shoulders. "If you think I'm about to trade one Alpha's leash for another, you're dumber than you look."

His eyes gleamed at that, as if my fire amused him. Then he took another step closer, until I could feel the heat radiating off him. "Kaelen made a mistake. And I intend to make use of it."

When I said nothing, he continued. "Besides, the fact that he's not here with you means Kaelen's got your boy locked in that stronghold, and you're out here, bleeding and alone. You need a pack, Selene. Mine."

The sound of Dorian's name made me pause and consider for a while. Finally, I spoke. "After one Alpha stabbed me in the back, what makes you think I'll kneel to another?"

"No not kneel... something much better." He said, "But like I said before, I do not do charity. In exchange for my protection and my pack. I want something in return."

"Ah there it is." I said as a bitter laugh tore through my throat. "There's always a catch. Let me guess... you want to share my bed in exchange?" I huffed and begun to walk away. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass."

"I want your hand."

I froze in my tracks. For a moment, the words refused to fully register. Then slowly, I turned to face him again.

"Excuse me?"

Then he took another step, closing the distance between us. "I want you to stand beside me. As an equal. I want you to be my Luna."

Equal. The word lingered, tempting in a way Kaelen's promises never had. Kaelen had called me his mate, his love, but never his equal. Draven's offer was a lifeline, but it came with chains. He was no saint. Everyone knew his reputation was soaked in blood, and his ambitions just as ruthless as Kaelen's greed.

But Dorian was out of reach, and I was running out of options. My wounds throbbed, my strength was fading, but my resolve to find my son burned brighter than ever.

"Why me?" I asked, testing him, my eyes locked on his. "Plenty of scorned wolves out there. Why risk Kaelen's wrath for a Beta-born with no pack?"

"Because, my lady, you're not just any wolf. I've heard the stories. I've heard how you fed Bloodfang through famines, held their borders with a bow. Kaelen underestimated you. I do not plan to make the same mistake."

I considered it for a while. The offer was more than tempting. But still, I had to play my cards right. "You're not exactly selling trust here, Nightbane," I said. "What's to stop you from using me and tossing me aside when you're done?"

"Trust is earned," he replied, his eyes never leaving mine. "Come with me, and we'll start building it. Or stay here and wait for the rogues to come back. Your choice."

I studied him, the bond flaring again. Draven was offering a path, but it was a dangerous one. Shadowfang was no sanctuary; it was a battlefield of its own, with enemies I didn't yet know. But for Dorian, I'd walk through fire. "And what do I get?" I pressed. "Besides your oh-so-charming protection?"

His eyes glinted, amused but serious. "A chance at revenge. A place to stand. And the means to get your son back. Take the offer or leave it, Selene. I'm done trying to convince you."

Revenge. The word burned in me, as hot as my love for Dorian. Kaelen had taken everything from me... my place, my pack and my child. The thought of tearing him down and making him regret, was almost as sweet as the image of holding Dorian again. But Draven wasn't my ally yet, he was a weapon I could wield if I played this right.

"You want an alliance?" I said, keeping my voice steady. "Fine. You got one. But it's on my terms. I'm no one's pawn, Draven. Not Kaelen's, and especially not yours."

He nodded once, with a small smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less. But we need to move now, my lady. Rogues aren't the only threat out here, and Kaelen's hunters won't be far behind."

I hesitated and glanced back toward Bloodfang's distant lights, hidden beyond the trees. Dorian was there, locked away, believing his father's lies.

"Alright. But I have one condition." I said as my eyes locked on his. "When the time comes, I want to be the one to grind Bloodfang into ash. It must be my own blade that goes through Kaelen's heart."

His smile widened, as admiration glowed in his golden eyes. "That's a promise I can get behind. We should go now, my queen. We've got much work to do."

He turned and gestured for me to follow just as his warriors emerged from the shadows, their eyes assessing me. I stood tall, dagger still in hand, blood drying on my skin.

Kaelen thought he'd broken me. Draven thought he'd claimed me.

They were both wrong.

I'd carve my own path, and when I was done, Bloodfang would be nothing but dust.