CHAPTER 6: SICK

SELENA'S POV

SIX WEEKS LATER

The morning felt quiet and calm. 

I was in Severin’s room, wiping the desk and trying to keep my head steady. The air smelled faintly of pine and cider... Severin. 

My wolf stirred, restless under my skin, but I shut it out because of my current state.

I’d been feeling off for weeks now. Dizzy sometimes. Weak others. It started about two months ago, and exactly two weeks after I entered the Alphas’ mansion. At first, I thought it was just exhaustion, but now, even standing too long made my vision blurry.

I pressed a hand against the wall, taking slow breaths. “Get it together, Selena,” I whispered to myself. “You can’t be lazy here.”

If any of the guards saw me looking sick, they’d report me. I didn’t have the right to call for a physician or even ask for rest. Maids didn’t get sick here. We just worked.

I kept cleaning, but every movement felt heavier. My hand trembled so badly that I nearly dropped the glass I was dusting.

That’s when I heard heavy footsteps coming. The door opened, and Severin walked in.

He looked the same as always — calm and composed. I quickly straightened up and bowed. “Alpha,” I greeted, trying to sound normal, but that small movement made my balance slip. The room spun for a second, and before I could stop myself, I stumbled forward, straight into him.

His hands caught me instantly, his grip strong and unyielding, stilling my wolf. My face was pressed against his chest, and I could feel the slow, steady beat of his heart under my palm.

“Careful,” he said, his voice rough.

I looked up, ready to apologize, but our eyes met, and everything around me just…stopped.

My wolf stirred suddenly, waking up inside me like fire. Mate. The word echoed with his scent. His power. His voice. Everything in him screamed: Alpha. 

The bond pulled between us like a string drawn too tight. I felt my breath catch. He froze too, his jaw tightening.

Neither of us moved for a few seconds. Then his hand slid to my arm, holding me steady. His touch burned, making my skin tingle.

“Alpha,” I breathed, trying to step back, but he didn’t let go.

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. I could feel his eyes on me, tracing every line of my face like he was seeing me for the first time.

Seeing him like that, without thinking, I rose on my toes and kissed him.

It wasn’t planned. I didn’t even know what I was doing. My body just…reacted. Just like whenever I saw Raviel...

He kissed me back. Not gently, but like he was claiming something that had always been his. 

His hand slid behind my neck, pulling me closer. I could feel his breath, his heartbeat, the heat rolling off him.

My knees went weak. My fingers clutched his shirt, and the world felt small, just us.

But then, just as fast as it started, I felt my strength drop again. The dizziness came back, stronger this time. My skin burned, but not from him, from something inside me.

I broke the kiss, panting, trying to breathe. “I…I feel—”

He caught me again before I fell. “You’re burning up,” he said, frustration flickering in his eyes. He pressed his hand to my forehead, then looked down at me with worry flashing through his usually calm face. “You need to rest. I’ll tell a physician to check on you.”

I nodded weakly. My heart was still racing, but not just from the kiss. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

He helped me sit down, then told me to go back to my room. I tried to smile, to look fine, but I could barely make it out the door.

By the time I reached the room, my legs felt like they belonged to someone else. Every step away from him made my chest ache, like the bond didn't want the distance. 

Selene was there, sitting on the bed, looking very calm and carefree.

“You look terrible,” she said softly, tilting her head. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, my voice coming out hoarse. “Just tired. My body’s been weird lately.”

She got up quickly and reached for a glass of water sitting on the table. “Here, drink this. It’ll help.”

I didn’t even think. My throat was so dry that I just took the cup and drank everything in one go.

At first, it felt refreshing, the cold sliding down my throat. But then, suddenly, my chest tightened. My hands began to shake.

“Selene…” I whispered, my heart pounding too fast. “What’s happening to me?”

Sudden pain shot through my body, and I stumbled, clutching my stomach. My wolf screamed inside me, clawing to get out. Something’s wrong!  What? I didn't know. 

I dropped to my knees, gasping. “Help me,” I whispered, but Selene didn’t move. 

She just stood there, watching.

My wolf’s voice grew weaker by the second. I could feel her slipping, fading into the darkness. “No, no. Please. Please, don’t leave me,” I begged, clutching my chest.

The room spun. My vision blurred. The sound of my own heartbeat roared in my ears.

Then, silence.

I tried to reach out to my wolf. Nothing. It was empty. The bond that had always been there was gone, ripped away like someone had torn part of me out.

“No…” I whispered. “No, no, no. This can't be happening.”

I looked up at my sister, my body trembling, my breath uneven. “Selene…I can’t hear her. I can’t feel my wolf.”

Selene’s lips curled into a grin. That same sweet, soft smile she always wore, but now it looked different. Colder.

“Now,” she said quietly, her eyes gleaming as she crouched to meet my gaze, grinning hard, “we’re really identical.”