Chapter 6: The Wolf’s Restraint, the Forest’s Doom

Serena stumbled backward, her chest heaving. The massive black wolf stalked toward her, eyes glowing silver under the moonlight and burning with hunger.

Though her body betrayed her with heat, she couldn’t bear the thought of being touched by the hungry, aroused beast before her.

“St–stay away from me!” she stammered, her voice breaking.

Her instincts screamed at her to run.

She turned and bolted, but the Alpha was faster. She barely got a few steps before he pounced, pinning her flat against the ground.

Her glasses slipped from her face, clattering onto the floor. Her vision blurred into a haze of shapes and shadows. She couldn’t tell what burned more…..the crushing weight of the wolf pressing her down or the panic and humiliation of being so utterly helpless. Hell, she couldn't even see clearly.

“P–please… don’t touch me,” she begged, her breath shallow, chest rising and falling in panicked waves.

The Alpha snarled low, his hot breath sliding down her neck.

His tongue dragged hot across the curve of her neck.

Serena choked on a gasp, squirming. “N–no…”

But he didn’t stop. The wolf licked across her collarbone, then lower—over the swell of her breast, even through the barrier of her clothes, his rough tongue ignited her nerves.

Serena shuddered, unable to stop the involuntary sound that slipped from her lips.

“Ohhh fuck…”

Heat coursed through her veins. Shame and terror tangled in her chest.

Kaelen’s wolf froze. His Silver eyes glowed, conflicted. And then, he pulled away.

Serena blinked in shock. The Alpha backed off, muscles trembling with restraint. And then he was gone, vanishing into the night like a shadow.

Serena scrambled to her feet, chest heaving. She snatched her glasses, shoved them back on, and ran. Her only thought: get away, before he changes his mind.

She didn’t stop running until she found her chamber, bolted the door with trembling fingers and collapsed against it.

Her body was still feverish, her skin burning everywhere his tongue had touched. With shaking hands, she stripped and sank into the cold bathwater, trying to wash him off.

She pressed her face into her hands.

“What kind of barbaric tradition is this?” she whispered. “He… he licked me. A wolf.”

It had felt disgusting, raw and wrong.

And yet… a traitorous voice inside whispered that it had also felt good.

“No,” she muttered, shaking her head furiously. “It’s that cursed moonflower. That’s all, nothing about that felt good. Nothing”

She dried off, pulled on fresh clothes, exhaustion claimed her. She collapsed onto the bed, ignoring the distant shouts and growls echoing through the night. Sleep took her swiftly.

************

(Kaelen’s Chamber)

The morning sun spilled across Kaelen’s broad shoulders as he stirred in his sheets. An omega lay tangled beside him, her head pillowed against his arm.

Kaelen was awake. Memories of the night flooded his head.

The human. The way his wolf had cornered her. The taste of her skin on his tongue.

He sat up sharply, the sheets falling from his torso. He had spared her. His wolf had spared her. That had never happened before.

“Your Highness…” the omega murmured, stirring. She reached out to stroke his chest.

“How was….”

“Get up and leave,” Kaelen cut in coldly. “Why are you still here?”

She flinched. “Alpha, I….”

“I said GET. OUT!.”

She scrambled out of the bed, clutching the sheets to her chest as she fled.

Kaelen dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

He tried to reach inward, to speak to the wolf that shared his soul. But there was silence. Just as it had been since his mate’s death. The only bond left was the shift itself—when the wolf emerged, Kaelen was no longer in control.

That was what made him dangerous at every Moondance. His wolf claims whoever he pleases without hesitation.

But last night was different. His wolf hadn’t hurt her.

Kaelen’s jaw tightened. Perhaps because harming her meant harming himself. Still, it unsettled him deeply.

A knock broke his thoughts.

“Come in.”

The door opened. Lirvana swept inside, draped in silk, her eyes lingering far too long on his bare torso.

“Your Majesty. I wish to request relaxation outside the castle walls for the consorts. They have served you faithfully. A day to reward them.”

Kaelen studied her carefully. Lirvana…the one consort he had never touched. The one he trusted to oversee the others.

“Do as you wish,” he said flatly

“Yes, Alpha.” She lowered her gaze, concealing the spark in her eyes, and glided out.

The moment she stepped into the corridor, her lips curved into a cunning smile.

************

(Serena’s Chamber)

“Good morning!”

Serena jolted upright in defense mode, only to see Naya standing inside.

“How… how the hell did you get in?”

“Your door wasn’t bolted properly,” Naya said flatly.

Serena cursed under her breath. She had thought she’d locked it. Even her small defenses were worthless.

“You need to get ready,” Naya continued. “The other consorts are waiting. You’re all heading outside the castle for a day of leisure.”

“What? I thought I wasn’t allowed outside.” Serena frowned. “They hate me, and I doubt I am even wanted there. What if they dump me in a ditch the moment they get the chance?.”

“They won’t,” Naya said simply. “You’re the king’s lifeline now. Hurry up.”

Serena hesitated, then sighed. Maybe this trip was her chance. Her chance to escape.

Serena dressed quickly, slipped her bag—which had the relics she collected over her shoulder and followed.

*************

The consorts gathered, dressed elegantly. Lirvana’s sharp gaze landed on Serena, her envy clear as the human’s long, curly golden-brown hair caught the light. Even the strange thing she wore on her eye made her stand out.

“Let’s go, shall we?” Lirvana said smoothly.

They rode in separate carriages. Serena sat stiff, scowling, her thoughts spinning back to last night. Fear clung to her ribs like chains. She had to get out.

Soon, they arrived at the location which was breathtaking.

A shimmering waterfall spilled from the sky itself, feeding a lagoon where flowers floated and swayed like they were alive. Rocks hovered in the air, defying gravity.

Serena’s jaw dropped. Magical. She lifted her camera instantly, clicking a photo.

“What are you doing?” Lirvana asked, frowning. “What is that thing?”

“Its none of your business, head prostitute,” Serena snapped.

Gasps echoed. Lirvana’s nails dug into her palm, jaw tightened, but she forced herself to remain calm. Her time would come.

The consorts spread out as maids laid a feast across blankets on the grass.

“A picnic?” Serena muttered under her breath. No chance to escape yet.

She sat, picking at a piece of cake, when a consort leaned closer with a smug smile.

“How does it feel to be the king’s mate?”

Serena frowned. “Why would you ask that? He hates me. That’s no secret.”

The girl giggled. “ He touched me last night. He was… divine. Do you still feel proud, human, knowing he marks you but chooses us?”

Serena’s temper snapped and she slammed her cake down. “Are you insane? What you do with him is your business, not mine. I don’t care who you spread your legs for. Leave me the fuck alone.”

Gasps rippled through the group.

“Insolent human!” Lirvana hissed, her voice cutting through the hall like a blade. “You ruin everything. We can’t even have peace with you around.”

“Fine!” Serena snapped back. “Then I’ll leave.”

“Good,” Lirvana sneered. “No one wants you here anyway.”

Serena snatched her bag from the floor and stormed out, her footsteps echoing until the forest swallowed her whole.

Lirvana’s lips curved into a cold smile as she watched her vanish. “Now she’ll wander lost in the forest. Serves her right for humiliating me.”

She turned to the consort who had provoked Serena earlier, giving her a look of cruel satisfaction.

“What if she dies out there, Lirvana?” the consort whispered nervously. “You know her death is also the King’s death.”

“She won’t die,” Lirvana said flatly, her eyes glittering with malice. “I only want to break her spirit… torture her until she knows her place.”

“But… ”

“Silence.” Lirvana’s voice cracked like a whip. “Do not question me.”

**************

(The Forest)

Serena clutched her bag tight, heart racing. She’d circled the same trees a dozen times. She prayed for the same shimmering wind that had carried her into Selvayra….but the moon was ordinary tonight. Silent.

“Please,” she whispered, clutching her bag. “Just take me home. Take me back…”

But the forest only answered with hoots and cricket sounds.

“Goddammit,” she muttered, panic prickling her skin. “I can’t even find my way back to the picnic.”

A low grunt echoed through the dark.

“L…Lirvana?” Serena whispered hopefully. She’d rather see her enemy than face claws in the dark.

No answer. Just a screeching owl. She screamed when its shadow flew past, stumbling to the ground.

Her glasses slid off again. She snatched them up with trembling fingers, shoved them onto her face, and scrambled up from the floor.

Then…footsteps. Heavy. Too many. They pounded the ground, closing in, each thud vibrating through her chest.

Her breath hitched, throat tightening. Her heart lurched so violently it felt like it skipped and stuttered all at once, threatening to tear out of her ribs.

She whipped around, panic exploding in her veins, and ran before her body could even catch up with her mind.

But she crashed headfirst into what she thought was a boulder… until it exhaled.

The “rock” moved.

The creature moved. A hulking green troll, tusked and drooling, loomed over her.

“Well, well. It’s the little human.” It sneered.

Another hulking troll stepped out of the shadows.

“Indeed it is.”

A third emerged and seized her with a single massive hand, lifting her off her feet like a rag doll.

“Let me go!” she screamed, thrashing. “HELP! PLEASE!”

Her cries echoed, swallowed by the trees. The Troll's grip was iron, unyielding.

“Scream all you want,” the first rumbled with a toothy grin. “You stepped into Troll territory. Trespassers don’t leave here alive”

And they carried her away.