THE PRICE OF DEFIANCE

Lucian

"She will never be my Luna."

I told myself this often, but the bond lingered in the back of my mind like an itch I couldn't scratch. I refused to admit it. I'd made my choice. Selena was a substitute—given to me instead of another. I promised to correct my errors.

Helena was my true match. Strong. Respected. A woman fit to be by my side. Unlike Selena, who was merely a weak omega from a disgraced pack. A cursed girl, abandoned even by her own blood.

I sighed, leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples. The pack was awaiting my announcement shortly. Helena had already moved into Alpha's quaters. She was everything Selena was not: harsh, ambitious, and prideful. The type of Luna Bloodfang deserved.

Despite that...

A loud tap at my door interrupted my thoughts.

"Enter."

The door flung open, and Darius limped inside, his face contorted in frustration.

I sat upright. "What is it?"

He held himself against the doorframe, breathing irregularly. "Selena… she's running away."

I felt a deep, seething wrath rise within me. "She's what?"

Darius gritted his teeth. "She fought back. Knocked me down and went right into the night."

I leapt to my feet, my chair scrapping on the wood floor. "And you just let her go?"

Darius folded his jaw. "We need to move fast if we want to catch her."

A snarl resounded deep in my chest. "Send warriors after her. I want her back before sunrise."

Darius nodded and ran away.

---

The night dragged on. I sat in my chamber and waited. Hours have passed. Then more.

When my men returned, the first rays of sunshine spilled through the window.

Without her.

I met them outside, my patience wearing thin. "Where is she?"

Garret, my leading warrior, squirmed uncomfortably. "We didn't find her."

I narrowed my eyes. "You searched everywhere?"

"We followed her scent to the river," Garret explained. "After that, it disappeared. Either she drowned or..."

"Or what?" I snapped.

"She found shelter in another pack's territory."

A muscle in my jaw ticked. I should've been upset. I should have told them to search again.

But I did not.

Instead, I turned away. If she wants to die out there, let her.

I persuaded myself that she did not matter. She was nothing. I had finished rectifying the mistake.

However, when I stepped back inside the packhouse, something gnawed at me. Something I refused to name.

---

A month has gone.

I went ahead with my preparations to mate Helena. Preparations were in place. The pack was anticipating the announcement, and Helena had already taken her place by my side.

Everything was perfect.

Until the nightmares began.

It started as a dull ache in my chest, like if something was missing. Then the ache intensified. It twisted, seared through my ribs, and left me gasping. Initially, I ignored it. Then came the murmurs.

Find her.

I awoke drenched in sweat, my wolf prowling within me, restless and enraged.

Find her.

I shake my head. "No," I growled, clutching the corners of my bed. "She's nothing."

But my wolf disagreed.

The ache became worse. By the second week, it seemed like fire was burning me from within. Then the final warning arrived.

If you do not find her within three days, you will die.

I gasped, clutching my chest as the words blasted into me, clear and unmistakable. My wolf hissed, forcing into my head and demanding action.

It wasn't just a bond. This was fate.

Helena discovered me that morning, standing by the window, my breath ragged. She put a hand on my arm, her touch warm and grounding.

"You're thinking about her."

I did not refute it.

"She's not coming back," she whispered softly. "She's probably dead."

I breathed sharply. "Then why does my wolf say otherwise?"

Helena's fingers tightened. "You don't need her, Lucian."

I turned to face her, searching her eyes for comfort. But all I saw were calculations.

Selena had been presented to me as an insult and substitute. Nonetheless, the notion of her actually gone caused another stinging anguish in my chest.

I shaped my fingers into balls. "I have to find her."

Helena's expression stiffened. "If you leave now, you'll ruin everything."

I pushed free from her grip. "If I don't, I'll die."

She did not argue. She only observed as I assembled my men and gave my command.

"Find Selena," I instructed. "No matter what it takes."

Garret frowned. "Why do we have to do that? She’s just a weak omega."

I caught his stare, my voice low and menacing. "Yes, she is. But she belongs to me."

The warriors exchanged glances without saying anything.

I sniffed carefully, feeling a faint whiff of something familiar. Her scent. Faint, but present.

Garret murmured, "She went north," and I turned to my soldiers. "Move."

The quest has started.

I wasn't sure what I'd find. Only one thing was certain.

I'd bring her back.

One way or another.

What if she truly drowned that night?

Then, I was already living on borrowed time.