Let Them See Me

CHAPTER TWENTY Two — “Let Them See Me”

Selene’s POV

“I’m not going,” I told Lucien, arms folded.

“They’re meeting to talk about the progress of the pack, and as the next Alpha, you shouldn’t be here folding your arms”

I shook my head. “I don’t really want them to see me this way, and I think if I should go, they might not be free to discuss, my father was the alpha and I am the soon alpha. I know they would want to talk about me and my leadership, so I wnat them to be free”

Lucien was quiet.

I knew what he was thinking, but I didn’t want to hear it.

“I don’t want to sit there and hear them doubt me. Not again.”

Lucien stood. “Then don’t go as you. Go as someone else. Watch. Listen. See who’s really on your side.”

And just like that… I knew what I needed to do.

—

The pack grounds were already filled when I arrived. I wore a long dark cloak and tied a cloth across my face. No one would know it was me.

I stood in the crowd, heart pounding, ears sharp.

Elders sat up front. Warriors stood on the sides. Wolves from every corner of the pack gathered around.

Then she walked in.

Sasha.

She wore a red jacket, her hair braided tightly. Her chin was high, her eyes proud.

She looked like someone who already owned the world.

Elder Tamon raised a hand. “We are gathered to speak of the next Alpha.”

Some people looked around.

“Where is Selene?” one voice asked.

“She’s probably crying again,” Sasha said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

A few people chuckled.

“She’s been through a lot,” a woman said softly.

“That’s exactly my point,” Sasha replied, stepping forward. “Selene is not fit to lead right now. She’s not emotionally strong. She runs from problems instead of facing them.”

I bit down on my tongue.

“She’s still a child. A child with no experience. I’ve fought for this pack. I’ve led patrols. I’ve stood in battle. She should train under me for a while—then maybe in a few years, she can lead.”

People started murmuring.

Some nodded. Some looked unsure.

My hands shook under my cloak.

“And where is she now?” Sasha said. “Gone. Hiding. Again.”

I stepped forward.

One step.

Two.

Then I pulled the mask off my face.

The crowd gasped.

“She’s here,” someone said.

“Luna,” another voice whispered.

Sasha turned. Her eyes widened, just for a second—but she fixed her face fast.

“Well, well,” she smiled. “Look who found her voice.”

“I came to listen,” I said, “but I heard enough.”

I turned to the crowd. My voice shook, but I forced myself to speak louder.

“You all know what I’ve been through. You know what I’ve lost. Yes, I was gone. Yes, I cried. But I’m here now.”

“You’re still not ready,” Sasha snapped.

“And you think you are?” I shot back. “Why are you so obsessed with proving I’m weak?”

“I care about the pack,” she said smoothly. “We need someone strong. Someone focused. You’re distracted. You’ve broken up with your mate, you cry in the woods, and you stay locked in your room.”

“That’s my personal life,” I snapped. “What does that have to do with how I lead?”

“It has everything to do with it,” Sasha shouted. “An Alpha must be strong. Emotionally. Physically. Mentally.”

“I am strong,” I said. “Because I broke, and I still got up. Because I was hurt, and I came back.”

“You only came back to fight for a title,” she said.

“I came back because it’s my birthright.”

The crowd went silent again.

Then Elder Tamon stood. “Selene is the daughter of the Alpha. But leadership must be earned.”

He looked at both of us.

“If this were war, could either of you protect the pack?”

“Yes,” Sasha said quickly.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Then it must be proven,” he said. “Under the full moon, three nights from now, you both will face each other.”

A ripple of shock spread through the crowd.

“What kind of test?” someone asked.

“A challenge,” Tamon said. “A fight. Not to the death, but to show strength, skill, and control.”

My heart sank.

A fight?

I looked at Sasha.

She was smiling.

She was ready.

She’d trained all year. She was known for winning.

And me?

I hadn’t fought in weeks. I barely had the strength to stand some mornings.

Fear climbed into my chest.

But then people started to shout—

“Let them fight!”

“Let the strongest lead!”

I looked at the crowd. My people. My home.

I took a shaky breath.

“I accept,” I said.

Sasha crossed her arms. “Finally.”

“Three nights,” Elder Tamon said. “No backing down.”

I nodded.

Sasha leaned in close, her voice a whisper meant only for me. “You’re going to regret saying yes.”

I stared at her. “We’ll see.”

Because I may be broken. But I’m not done.

Not yet.