4

Ronan's POV

The cabin was quiet, save for the faint rustle of the wind against the wooden walls. Selene was upstairs, likely asleep, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was as restless as I was. I sat on the couch, staring into the dying embers of the fire, my mind replaying the events of the day.

I hadn’t planned for this—for her.

Selene wasn’t just some rogue I could take in and protect without consequence. She was a spark of something far more dangerous, something I hadn’t encountered in years. A rejected mate, carrying not only the weight of her past but a power that pulsed beneath her skin like a second heartbeat.

And then there was the other complication: I was drawn to her.

It wasn’t just her beauty, though she was breathtaking in a way that made it hard to focus on anything else. It was her strength, the quiet defiance in her eyes despite everything she’d been through. She was fighting to survive, and it ignited something deep inside me—a protective instinct I hadn’t felt in a long time.

The sound of footsteps broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see Kael entering the cabin, his expression grim.

“You didn’t have to come back,” I said, keeping my voice low.

Kael shrugged, dropping into the chair across from me. “You know I can’t leave you alone when you’re like this. What’s the plan, Ronan? Because keeping her here is a risk, and you know it.”

“She’s not a threat,” I said, my tone sharper than I intended.

“Not yet,” Kael replied, his gray eyes narrowing. “But you and I both know the council won’t see it that way. A rejected mate with untapped power? They’ll come for her, and when they do, you won’t be able to stop them.”

I clenched my fists, the wood of the armrest creaking under the pressure. “She’s under my protection. That’s all they need to know.”

Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I get it. You feel responsible for her. But this isn’t just about you, Ronan. If the council sees her as a threat, they’ll come after the entire Blackstone pack. Are you ready to risk that for her?”

I didn’t answer. The truth was, I didn’t know. My loyalty to my pack had always been absolute, but Selene had shifted something inside me. I couldn’t explain it, but the thought of abandoning her was unthinkable.

“She’s not what they think she is,” I said finally, my voice quieter now. “She’s not a threat. She’s... lost. And if we don’t help her, who will?”

Kael studied me for a long moment before nodding. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when this all goes south.”

He stood, his movements fluid and deliberate. “I’ll keep an eye on the perimeter tonight. You should get some rest. You’ll need your strength for whatever comes next.”

I watched him go, the weight of his words settling heavily on my shoulders. He was right about one thing: this wouldn’t be easy.

---

The first light of dawn seeped through the cabin’s windows, casting a warm glow over the room. I’d barely slept, my mind too preoccupied with the storm brewing on the horizon.

The sound of soft footsteps drew my attention, and I turned to see Selene descending the stairs. She was dressed in the same clothes as yesterday, her hair slightly mussed from sleep. Despite everything, she looked radiant.

“Morning,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.

She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes searching mine. “Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well?”

She nodded, though the shadows under her eyes told a different story. “Better than I expected. Thank you... for everything.”

I waved off her gratitude, standing to stoke the fire. “You don’t have to thank me. You needed help, and I was here. That’s all.”

“It’s not all,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “You didn’t have to take me in. You didn’t have to protect me. But you did. Why?”

Her question caught me off guard, though I supposed I should have seen it coming. I straightened, meeting her gaze. “Because I know what it’s like to feel alone. To have no one to turn to.”

Something flickered in her eyes—understanding, maybe even gratitude. But there was also something else, something deeper that I couldn’t quite name.

“You’re not alone anymore, Selene,” I said quietly. “Not as long as I’m here.”

Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she hesitated. Instead, she stepped closer, the warmth of her presence pulling me in like a tide.

“Ronan...” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

The way she said my name sent a shiver down my spine. I wanted to close the distance between us, to feel the softness of her skin against mine. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

“I meant what I said,” I told her, my voice steady. “You’re safe here. No one will hurt you again.”

She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you.”

The moment stretched between us, charged with an unspoken tension that neither of us dared to break. Finally, she stepped back, wrapping her arms around herself as if to shield against the vulnerability she’d just shown.

“I should... get some air,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

“Of course,” I replied, watching as she turned and slipped out the door.

I stood there for a long moment, staring at the spot where she’d been. She was a puzzle, one I wasn’t sure I could solve. But one thing was clear: I would do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant defying the council and risking everything I’d built.

---

Later that day, Kael returned, his expression grim. “We’ve got a problem,” he said without preamble.

“What is it?” I asked, bracing myself for the bad news.

“The council’s scouts are moving closer to our territory,” he said. “It won’t be long before they find her.”

My jaw tightened. “Then we’ll have to move her before they do.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “And where exactly do you plan on taking her? Every pack in the region knows about her rejection. There’s nowhere safe.”

I thought for a moment, my mind racing. There had to be a way to keep her out of the council’s grasp. Then it hit me.

“The Bloodmoon clan,” I said.

Kael’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? Kieran will never agree to that.”

“He owes me,” I replied. “And besides, it’s the last place the council would think to look.”

Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ronan. But if this is the path you’ve chosen, I’ll back you.”

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I prepared for what lay ahead. Selene’s safety was my priority, and I would stop at nothing to protect her. Even if it meant forging uneasy alliances and risking my own life.

Because Selene wasn’t just a responsibility. She was something more. Something I couldn’t yet put into words.

And I wasn’t about to let her go.