Chapter 4

Selene's POV

Darkness closed in around me.

The smell of blood was thick in the air. I could feel my life draining away.

The familiar feeling of death washed over me, just like the first time.

Through the haze of pain, I watched him walk away, cradling Lila in his arms.

"I'm taking her to the healers," his voice faded into the night. "As for you..."

He didn't look back.

Not a single word of concern.

"Selene!" Marcus's voice called from the distance, getting closer. "Gods, there's so much blood!"

I wanted to speak, but the silver poison had paralyzed my nerves.

I could only watch as the man I loved disappeared down the alley, holding another woman.

"Quick! Get a healer!" Marcus yelled, his voice trembling as he lifted me. "Selene, hang on!"

My world went black.

When I woke up again, it was the next afternoon.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains into my room. I was in my own bed, a thick bandage wrapped around my abdomen.

The burning from the silver poison was still there, but it had lessened.

"You're awake." Marcus came in with a bowl of medicine, his eyes red-rimmed. "The healer said you almost died."

"How is she?" I asked, my voice weak.

Marcus's expression was complicated. "Perfectly fine. Not even a scratch on her."

I closed my eyes.

Of course.

"Selene, why would you..." Marcus began, his voice choked with confusion.

"It doesn't matter," I said softly. "The debt is paid now."

I thought back to my past life.

In my past life, the rogues' attack shattered Lila's wolf. She went insane after Kaelan and I were mated.

Kaelan had always suspected I was the one who'd hired them to hurt her.

In the heat of an argument, I’d been pushed too far and spat, "Yes, I did it!"

After that, our relationship was completely destroyed.

Now, I had saved her life.

The debt I owed Kaelan for dying for me in our past life… it was finally paid.

"Get some rest," Marcus sighed. "The mating ceremony is still on for tomorrow. She… she agreed to take your place."

I nodded.

Of course. She still wanted to be with him.

As night fell, I felt an Alpha's presence in the room.

I didn't open my eyes, but I could feel Kaelan sitting by my bed, using his Alpha power to help purge the last of the silver poison from my system.

A warm energy flowed through my veins, and the pain slowly subsided.

Just like in my past life.

He always did this. Cared for me in the dead of night, only to treat me like a stranger in the light of day.

"You're awake."

I opened my eyes. Kaelan was pulling his hand back, his expression turning distant again.

"How do you feel?" he asked, his tone clipped and formal.

"Much better," I said, sitting up. "By the way, the mating ceremony is at Starlight Lake—"

"I know," he cut me off. "Lila already told me."

My heart skipped a beat.

Did he already know who his Luna would be tomorrow?

"Good," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Congratulations in advance, then."

Kaelan gave me a strange look, as if he found my behavior odd, but he didn't say anything more.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow... is an important day."

He turned and left.

The moment the door closed, I got up and started packing.

This was my final gift to him.

Starlight Lake. The place our souls first recognized each other.

In our past life, I was attacked there during a mission, and he saved me.

Under the full moon, by the lake, we felt the deep connection between our souls.

And now, it was where our story would end.

An hour later, I was at the airport.

Marcus rushed to see me off, his eyes filled with reluctance.

"Selene, are you really leaving? What about the ceremony...?"

"The Luna will be there," I said, looking toward the distant mountains where Starlight Lake was shimmering under the moonlight. "Don't worry. She won't be late. And neither will his freedom."

---

Kaelan's POV

The shore of Starlight Lake was bathed in moonlight.

The entire area was decorated with white flowers and silver ribbons.

The pack Elders were in place, and all the important guests were waiting.

I stood on the stone platform in the center of the lake, waiting for Selene.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.

For years, I had fought this bond. Fought her. But now...

My wolf was howling for her, for my fated mate.

If it wasn't for Lila saving my life when we were kids, if Selene hadn't always been so cruel to Lila, maybe I would have given in to this bond long ago.

I was ready to accept it now, mostly because of what happened the other night.

After I'd left Selene poisoned and bleeding in the Neutral Zone.

Marcus had found me, furious, accusing me of misunderstanding her.

"She went there to save Lila! Not to hurt her!" he had roared at me. "How could you think that of her?"

It was only then that I realized I might have been wrong about so many other things.

Watching the silver poison burn through her veins in the infirmary, my wolf had been clawing at the inside of my skin. All I wanted was my vibrant, fierce Selene back.

Maybe I should never have been so cold to her.

I stared ahead, watching as a figure in a white gown slowly approached under the moonlight.

But...

Something was wrong.

The figure was too small, her steps too delicate.

It wasn't until she reached the platform and the moonlight fully illuminated her face that my expression froze.

Blonde hair, green eyes.

"Lila?" I took a shocked step back. "What are you doing here?"