Under attack

Kael’s POV

 The sanctuary was silent.

 Not even the crackle of firewood dared interrupt my thoughts as I sat alone, surrounded by shadows and the sharp scent of herbs and old blood. This place—once sacred, once soothing—had become a cage I willingly locked myself in. Days had passed. Weeks maybe. And yet, I couldn’t forget her.

 The woman of that night.

 I didn’t know her name. I never even got the chance to ask. She had been light in the dark, warm in a world where I was cold-blooded by necessity. Her voice, her breathless laughter, the way she touched me like she wasn’t afraid of what I was… like she saw me. I had started to feel something I had long forgotten. Something dangerously close to hope.

 And then… she vanished.

 Gone before I even returned to the tent.

 No note. No word. Just empty sheets and the haunting echo of her scent.

 I clenched my jaw, eyes narrowing at the memory that had haunted me every damn night since. I searched. Goddess, I searched. I had every scout, every informant, sniffing around every border like dogs, desperate for a trace of her.

 But she was gone.

 And I was a fool.

 I leaned back in my chair, arms folding tightly across my chest. Why? Why would she leave like that? When she looked at me like I was more than the monster they all feared?

 Was it a game to her?

 A door slammed open.

 I didn't move, but my eyes snapped to the source. One of my warriors stumbled in, out of breath, his hand over his chest like he’d run the whole way.

 “My Lord,” he panted.

 I didn’t speak. Just waited.

 He bowed his head quickly. “We found her. The woman from that night.”

 My heart stopped for a beat.

 He swallowed. “She’s from the Moonbane pack.”

 The room tilted.

 I stood so quickly my chair scraped against the stone, toppling backward. “What?”

 The soldier flinched. “We—we confirmed it. Our scouts say she was seen recently patrolling on lands—injured but alive.”

 “Is she some kind of scout for that goddamn pack?” I groaned.

 My fists clenched at my sides, veins bulging. Moonbane.

 The name curdled in my mouth like venom. That was our enemy. The ones who slaughtered my people. The ones who would rather see my kingdom in ashes than ever see peace. And she—that sweet-faced, soft-spoken woman—was one of them?

 All this time?

 My breath came harder, harsher, rage coursing through me like wildfire. Was I a mark? A target? Did she laugh at me after she fled, reporting back to her people about how easily she played me? How she touched me, whispered in my ear, only to disappear into the night like a ghost with a knife behind her back?

 A roar ripped from my throat as I slammed my fist into the stone wall, dust and pebbles falling where my knuckles cracked the surface.

 “She played me.”

 “My Lord—”

 “I let her in,” I growled. “I let her in.”

 I hadn’t allowed anyone close in years. No woman. No friend. Not even my kin. And the one time I did… she lied. She left. And now, she wore the colors of the enemy.

 “She’s a spy,” I spat. “She must be.”

 “Should we send a team?”

 “No.” My voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl. “Send me.”

 The soldier’s eyes widened. “You want to go yourself?”

 “I want her found,” I said, voice cold enough to freeze the fire in the hearth. “Dead or alive. I want her here. I will rip the truth from her lips myself.”

 He bowed quickly and fled, the door slamming shut behind him.

 And I stood alone, my chest heaving.

 This time… no more softness.

 No more mercy.

 She betrayed me.

 And she was going to pay for it.

  ~~

 Selene’s POV

 I shut the door behind me with a quiet click, exhaling slowly as I leaned against it. My heart had still not recovered from the accidental walk-in on Ronan.

 Dripping wet.

 Towel.

 Tattoos.

 Abs that were clearly carved by the gods.

 “Sweet goddess above,” I muttered, dragging my palms down my face. “Control yourself, Selene.”

 I groaned into my hands, but the memory would not go away. I could practically see the water sliding down the dip between his abs, the way his tattoos curved over his arm and disappeared across his chest like some forbidden language I wanted to read with my tongue—

 I slapped myself. Hard.

 “Behave!” I hissed at my own reflection in the little mirror by the wall. “You’re here to survive, not to stare at dangerously hot rogue leader!”

 There was a knock on the door. I practically leapt from my skin.

 “Selene?” Mira’s voice called gently.

 I quickly fixed my hair and yanked the door open. She stood there with a small grin, holding a bowl of warm stew. “Come eat with us by the fire. It’s a tradition.”

 My stomach growled at the scent. I nodded. “I’d love to.”

  ~~

 The fire crackled softly in the center of the gathering space. Rogues sat around it, eating, laughing in low tones. Some gave me warm smiles. Others avoided my gaze or gave half-scowls like I didn’t belong.

 I knew that feeling.

 Seen—but still invisible.

 I sat beside Mira, who kept me close like I was some skittish deer she was determined to protect. I ate quietly, soaking in the warmth. Jax winked at me from across the fire as he shoved bread in his mouth.

 But then I saw him.

 Ronan.

 He stood at the edge of the group, arms folded, half-shadowed in moonlight. He wasn’t speaking. Not eating. Just watching.

 His gaze burned through the flames, and for a moment, our eyes locked.

 And like he’d been caught, he turned and walked away.

 My legs moved before I could stop them.

 “Where are you going?” Mira called.

 “I’ll be back,” I muttered, weaving through the trees as I followed him quietly.

  ~~

 I caught up to him just as he turned into a more isolated path, the woods stretching open with silver moonlight above. His steps paused, his head tilting slightly as if he’d known I was behind him the entire time.

 “What do you want?” he said without turning around. His voice was calm, but it held a subtle edge. “You’re welcome here, Selene. But that doesn’t mean you get to follow me or question me.”

 I raised my chin. “I’m not questioning you.”

 He turned, finally facing me.

 “I just wanted to walk,” I added. “With you.”

 A brow lifted.

 I stayed quiet, firm.

 Finally, with a half-sigh that sounded like surrender, he nodded once. “Fine.”

  ~~

 The silence between us was… not uncomfortable. It felt charged. Like walking beside lightning that hadn’t decided whether to strike or not.

 The moon lit up the path, spilling silver light across his broad shoulders, his dark hair slightly ruffled by the breeze.

 “What are you?” he suddenly asked me and I scratched the back of my neck.

 “An omega…..?” I replied and he burst out laughing.

 “What?”

 “You don’t look like an omega, no way an omega would have such energy like you. You don’t know what you are, I guess.” He replied

 “We will find out anyways.”

 “So,” I said after a while, “what are you?”

 His gaze slid to me. “Excuse me?”

 “You said I don’t look like an omega. So what are you?”

 He gave a short, amused breath. “A hybrid. Half Sorcerer, half wolf.”

 I blinked. “Seriously?”

 “Mhm.”

 “No offense, but what bloodline, demon? Dragon or—”

 He laughed—laughed—and it was deep, rich, and surprised even him.

“I don’t have to answer that…” he replied me and I nodded my head

“there are vampires here, don’t be surprised.” He replied with a blank look.

“Sorry, do they sparkle or drink blood?” I asked lowly, trying not to piss him off.

 “they don’t sparkle,” he said, smirking. “But the blood part? Yeah. Sometimes.”

 I gulped. “Well, that’s… terrifyingly hot.”

 His smirk deepened.

 “But what about your family?” I asked gently. “How did you end up ruling rogues?”

 He hesitated.

 “I was born into a powerful bloodline,” he said slowly. “Royal, even. But I didn’t belong. My father wanted power. My mother wanted perfection. I was neither. So I left before they could ‘fix’ me.”

 My chest ached at the thought.

 “You didn’t want the crown?” I whispered.

 “I didn’t want a leash,” he said simply.

 I was about to ask more—but then I froze.

 His arm suddenly wrapped around my waist and yanked me flush against him. My heart shot into my throat.

 “What are you—?”

 Thwip.

 He caught something mid-air.

 An arrow.

 My eyes widened as he snapped the wooden shaft in half, jaw clenched.

 “Arrow?” I breathed, twisting in his arms. “From where?”

 He didn’t answer.

 Another one flew.

 He caught that one too.

 His voice was low, firm. “Go.”

 I shook my head. “What?”

 “Go, Selene. Tell the others. We’re under attack.”