SELENEThe more Cassian visited me I noticed that my questions grew in number and intensity until they began to feel like a consuming fire within me. I desired to comprehend his mysterious existence by decoding the enigmatic threads that formed the fabric of his life. I would bombard him with rapid-fire questions while my words spilled forth in an enthusiastic stream as I tried to extract some measure of truth from his answers.Cassian delivered cryptic answers that flowed with annoying vague expressions which left me feeling both frustrated and unsatisfied. His smile revealed his eyes which held a knowing light as though he possessed the universe's secrets while he chose not to share them with me. The way he smirked and pulled away from revealing anything made it seem like he was teasing me with answers that escaped my grasp.One day he explicitly stated his terms. He stated firmly with his voice deep and breathy that he would only answer my questions if I agreed to accompany him. Hi
SELENEI remained frozen in shock and bewilderment while my eyes stayed locked on Cassian the Rogue Alpha whose deadly power made him one of Lycoris' most formidable figures. I found myself unable to process the spoken words while their serious meaning crashed into me with the force of a physical attack. "Mated to Cassian?" My brows knitted together in confusion while my eyes searched the room frantically for some kind of release from this unexpected situation. I raised my trembling hands to my temples where my fingers dug into my scalp as though trying to physically contain my racing thoughts while I struggled to accept this new reality. The brightness that once characterized my eyes was now replaced by a dull senselessness caused by the unexpected mating event. The sensation hit me like a punch to my stomach which knocked the air from my lungs and left me struggling to breathe. My deep inhalation failed to stabilize my rapid heartbeat as my voice quivered through my speech while my
CASSIAN. My eyes flew open.A sharp breath tore from my lips as I stared at the ceiling, my heart slamming against my ribs. Slowly, I sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. My hand pressed against my left pec, right over my heart. It achedA strange, deep ache.My gaze wandered over to the window, the soft moonlight creating long shadows on the floor.I glared at nothing, his thoughts a storm.Could it be…Was it her?My stomach turned, an old, almost primal sense settling heavy in my belly.If my gut was correct…Then I was about to see her soon.My heart revved up a gear. Excitement. Dread. Anticipation. Fear. Pain.It all twisted into a living, breathing thing, curling in my chest like a tempest waiting to break.I released a rough breath, shoving my hand through my hair. No time for wallowing.I shrugged my shoulders, cracking mu knuckles before I headed into the bathroom.By the time I came out of my room, I was all business.After all, he wasn’t just anyone.I
SELENE. Pain.It was all I knew.The lash of the whip, the searing burn as it bit into my flesh. The wet warmth of blood trickling down my back, soaking into the ragged edges of my dress.I’d endured countless wounds throughout my existence. Beatings. Bruises. Humiliation. But never before had I honestly wanted to die as I did now.I tried to block it out, to let myself float, but Kieran's raging demands pulled me back to the land of the living."Tell me the truth, Selene!"I lifted my head, blear-eyed. "I don't— " my throat was sore from screaming. "I don't know what you're talking about."The whip descended again.I gagged on a sob.Somewhere outside the dungeon's little, barred window, the sky had gone dark to a deep crimson.A Blood Moon.How fitting. How symbolic.I was going to die under a Blood Moon.Kieran exhaled a rough breath, stepping back, his expression changing from anger to frustration. He was wearing thin.The guards glanced at each other nervously, sensing tension.
SELENE. I was hauling grain*m to the pack storehouse when i initially heard the commotion.I barely reacted.My head was blank, my feelings numb. I’d been operating on autopilot for the past week, forcing myself to go through the motions just to live. It was the only way of keeping the overwhelming despair at bay, from claiming my entirely.I stooped to pick up another sack when I heard the silence.People were parting ways. Making a path. Then, "Miss Selene?"The way it was said made me pause. I turned and saw two guards in front of me, looming over me.Their faces were full of scorn. Sneers curled their lips, their eyes glinting with barely concealed disdain. They looked at me like I was lesser than the dirt beneath their boots. One of them, a burly man with a deep scar across his jaw, crossed his arms. “You’re to come with us.”I barely had time to process the words before they grabbed me. Rough hands clamped around my arms, yanking me forward.I cried out, stumbling as they
SELENE. The Moon Festival arrived in what felt like the snap of a finger. The pack had prepared for weeks, and now the celebrations had begun. The entire village was bathed in silver and gold, with silk banners stretched between the houses, the glowing lanterns illuminating the streets, and garlands of white flowers hanging across made archways. The smell of roasting meats and wine and spices filled the air, and there was laughter everywhere.I finished my work early, making sure that I would not get in anyone's way. In the late evening, the pack square was beginning to fill with wolves streaming towards the festival grounds.Now alone in the little room I’d been allocated, I brought out a dress I’d had kept for years, something I’d had never found the courage to wear. It had belonged to my mom. It was simple but beautiful, pale blue soft fabric that glistened faintly in the light. I held it over my body in the cracked mirror of the hallway, looking at myself. What if I actually met