Chapter 7 Unwanted foe

Selene pov

“Sister, are you awake?”

Elara’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

My heart skipped a bit. I hadn’t heard that voice in so long it felt like I was dreaming.

I sat up quickly, my hands gripping the sheets. “What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to gather my thoughts, to keep my voice steady.

She stepped into the room sitting on the bed, like nothing had happened.

“I just wanted to talk,” she said quietly.

I let my eyes roam over her.

She was all grown up now and more beautiful than I remembered although she was just a child of six at the time I thought she was killed .

Her long chestnut hair fell in soft waves down to her slim waist, and she looked taller than me. Her face had changed too, it was more defined. Slim and elegant. Unlike mine, which had always been a little chubby, soft around the edges.

“Why would you tell everyone I left you for dead, Elara?” I asked, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall.

My throat tightened as I stared at her face …the face I had once sworn to protect.

“You and I both know what happened that day in the woods…”

My voice shook as I moved closer to her.

“So why would you lie like that? Why? Answer me.”

“You didn’t try your best to save me,” Elara said, her voice low but sharp like a blade slipping between my ribs.

“You could’ve tried harder. You should’ve fought harder.” Her eyes shimmered, with anger. “You should’ve sacrificed yourself.”

I stared at her, stunned.

She took a step forward. “Instead… you let them take me.”

Her words landed like stones to my chest, each one heavier than the last. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

“And where have you been all these years?” I asked, my voice rising with every word. “Why didn’t you try to come home, huh? Since you’re alive… and obviously okay.”

My fists clenched at my sides.

“I was branded a traitor. Cast out. I was blamed for your death. Mama died because of it. And you—what? You were out there living your life?”

“Shut up. You don’t get a say in what I’ve been doing,” she snapped, her eyes burning as she stepped closer to me.

“But let me tell you something, sister…” she said, voice low and dripping with poison.

“I’ll take everything. Your life. Your mate. Even your title.”

She smiled in a cruel way that sent chills down my spine.

“I’ll tear it all down. And I’ll make sure you watch.”

“Why?” I asked.

She smirked, stepping closer. “Why? Because the life you’re living should’ve been mine.”

I was still taking it all in…my heart pounding,when suddenly, she raised her arm and slashed it with her claws.

The sound was sickening. Blood spilled instantly, dripping onto the pristine floor.

“Ahhhh!” she screamed, staggering backward. “Help!”

My eyes widened. “What—? What are you doing?”

Before I could say a word, the guard who usually stood by the door rushed in, and Elara immediately stepped behind him, clutching her bleeding arm.

Kael and his Beta entered moments later, their eyes sweeping the room.

“What’s going on here?” Kael demanded, his voice sharp as he took in the scene…Elara’s blood on the floor. the guard’s tense stance, and me standing there stunned, and helpless.

“She…” Elara began, her voice trembling just enough to sound believable. “I just wanted to talk to her. I told her how happy I was to see her again. That I forgave her for what happened all those years ago.”

She sniffed dramatically, lowering her gaze. “But then she suddenly turned on me. Accused me of trying to take her place as the Luna. Said I didn’t deserve anything. And before I knew it… she attacked me.”

Gasps echoed behind Kael. More people had gathered at the door.

My heart dropped. My mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Not again.

“Is that how jealous you are of your own sister?” Kael’s voice cut through me, loud and cold. “So desperate to see her gone… you’d try to harm her?”

My chest tightened as my wolf whimpered in sadness.

“You’ll be sleeping in the cells tonight,” he added. “Maybe that’ll help you learn a lesson in humility.”

I took a shaky step forward. “How could you? Wouldn’t you at least ask for my side of the story?”

Kael turned to me, eyes like ice. “Why would we want your side, Selene? When you already have a long history of lying?”

My breath caught.

“What have I ever lied about?” I whispered.

Kael scoffed. “Well first of—”

“If you don’t want her in your court,” a deep voice interrupted from the doorway, , “then can I take her off your hands instead?”

All heads turned towards the door.

“Sylvester ?” Kael asked, his tone shifting slightly. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s always a delight to visit your court, my dear friend,” Sabastian said smoothly, his usual smile in place as his eyes swept over the room, like he could see through skin and bone.

Then his gaze landed on Elara. “So… you’re the one who was hurt, hmm?”

“Yes,” she said, stumbling a little. “Yes, I was…” Her voice wavered, flustered by his presence.

Sylvester ilted his head slightly. “Interesting. You just arrived… and already, trouble seems to follow you.”

“What do you mean?” she asked quickly, her voice sounded vulnerable and wounded, like she was trying to sound fragile.

“I was the one attacked,” she added, looking down at her arm as if the blood on it was proof.

Sylvester let the silence hang just a moment too long.

“Oh, forgive me,” Sabastian said casually, his tone still light. “I didn’t know your sister was left-handed.”

I blinked, confused for a second. What does that have to do with..

“Well, I’m actually right-handed…” I said, a slow smile tugging at my lips. I turned to Elara. “So tell me, dear sister, how did the claw marks end up coming from the left?”

Elara froze.

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She blinked rapidly, flustered…like a cornered animal trying to think its way out of a trap.

Kael cleared his throat. “That’s enough,Sylvester .”

Sylvester smiled, cool and unbothered. “Apologies for intruding on your court affairs, Kael.” He dipped his head slightly. “I was only curious.”

But I was grateful.

Because already, I could feel the doubt in some people. Even the beta seemed a bit confused.

Kael stepped forward. “Elara, I’ll take you to get treated. You can rest here for the night.”

He paused, glancing between the two of us. “But… refrain from harming your sister. And keep your jealousy at bay.”

Elara didn’t respond. She just nodded stiffly, her eyes burning holes into the floor.

“Sister, I really do wish we could get along,” Elara said softly, her eyes still lowered. “And I hope you’ll accept my offer of friendship.”

She didn’t wait for a reply.

With Kael’s hand gently placed behind her back, they walked out of the room together like they were royalty leaving a stage.

The guard bowed stiffly and followed them out.

Sylvester lingered just long enough to glance over his shoulder and wink at me.

Then he was gone too.