Chapter 138

Selene's POV

Just then, my wolf stirred in the back of my mind. “Do not flinch, Selene,” she warned. “Hold your ground.”

I clenched my fists at my sides and raised my chin, despite the oppressive weight of Victor's presence bearing down on me like a heavy storm cloud. I had faced Elders and even Dimitri before, but there was something different about this Victor. He wasn’t broken. He wasn’t hiding anymore.

He was rising.

I remembered a day from years ago, at the border, when some rogue had called him a puppet. Just a weak Alpha’s spoiled son. Victor hadn’t said a word. Instead, he had shifted on the spot and torn the rogue leader to pieces, blood and bones flying through the air like leaves. That same rage, that same darkness, was in his eyes now.

He stopped just an inch away from me. His scent—woods, smoke, and something deeper—wrapped around me, pulling at things I wasn’t ready to feel again. Then slowly, he reached out, causing me to tense up.

Instead of pain, I felt a comforting