Chapter 4

I never expected to care about the world I left behind.

For weeks, I had only focused on surviving. I had buried my past, forced myself to forget the pack that betrayed me, the mate who cast me aside like I was nothing.

But now, as I stood in the middle of our camp, staring at a broken and bloody scout from my former pack, I realized I hadn’t left it all behind.

Because Killian wasn’t finished.

It started with the scent of an outsider.

The moment it reached us, Riven was on his feet, he looked tense as he scanned the trees. Dara already had a dagger in her hand, and Silas melted into the shadows, ready to strike if needed.

I didn’t react right away. I had learned patience, learned to watch before acting.

The scent was familiar. And when the figure stumbled into view, his face pale from exhaustion, my fist clenched.

Caleb.

He was younger than me, barely an adult, but I had seen him run errands for Killian’s top warriors. He was one of them.

I was on him before he could react, slamming him against a tree. My claws pressed against his throat, and his wide eyes were filled with panic.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you.” I groaned.

Caleb gasped, struggling against my hold. “Selene—wait—”

I bared my teeth. “You don’t get to say my name. Not after what your pack did to me.”

Riven and Dara stayed silent behind me, watching. This was my fight.

Caleb’s breathing turned ragged, his pulse fluttering beneath my grip. But there was no form of struggle in his eyes. Only fear.

“I—I left,” he stammered. “I ran.”

I hesitated, confused. “Ran from what?”

His hands shook as he clutched at my wrist. “From him.”

I loosened my grip just enough for him to speak. “Alpha Killian,” Caleb wheezed. “He’s—he’s planning something. He’s going to invade.”

I stepped back, my heart pounding. “What did you just say?”

Caleb coughed, rubbing his throat. “He’s forming alliances. Recruiting mercenaries. He’s not just after Blue moon territories anymore—he wants everything. He’s planning to take down the eastern packs one by one.”

Dara exchanged a glance with Riven. Silas reappeared, watching Caleb like a predator considering a kill.

My hands curled into fists. I had known Killian was ruthless, but this? War?

“You’re lying,” I said flatly.

“I’m not.” Caleb replied almost immediately. “He’s already made his first move. He sent me to scout weak points along the borders. But I—” He swallowed hard. “I couldn’t do it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”

He hesitated. “Because what he did to you was wrong.”

For a moment, the burning fire was the only sound between us.

Riven stepped forward. “Well, damn. Never thought I’d see a Blue moon mutt grow a conscience.”

Caleb flinched, but he didn’t argue.

He could be lying. This could be a trap.

But deep down, I knew it wasn’t.

Killian was never satisfied with what he had. He had betrayed me for more power. It made sense that he would betray others, too.

And that meant innocent wolves would suffer.

I turned away, staring at the dark treetops above us.

“Selene,” Dara said cautiously.

I exhaled sharply. “Where is he now?”

Caleb replied, “Still at the stronghold, for now. But he’s planning an attack soon. A few weeks, maybe less.”

Riven crossed his arms. “So what’s the plan, Selene?”

I thought silently for a while.

I had two choices.

I could turn my back, let Killian burn through the packs like wildfire, let him take everything the way he took from me.

Or I could fight.

I turned back to Caleb. “You ran from them. But do you have the guts to fight against them?”

Caleb swallowed, then nodded. “Yes.”

“Good,” I said. “Because we’re going to stop Killian before he gets the chance to start this war.”

Riven grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Now that’s my Luna.”

Caleb “There’s more.”

“Spit it out.”

He glanced at the others before lowering his voice. “Alpha Killian…… he’s looking for you.”

Silas moved before I could react. In a blink, he had Caleb’s arm twisted behind his back, a dagger pressed to his ribs.

Caleb sucked in a sharp breath, but he didn’t struggle.

“What do you mean ‘looking for her’?” Silas’s voice was calm.

Caleb winced. “He put a bounty on her head.”

My heartbeat quickened.

Riven’s expression darkened. “How much?”

“Enough that every rogue and mercenary between here and the western border will be hunting her.”

There was silence, no one spoke.

Then, Dara exhaled. “Well, that complicates things.”

My jaw clenched tightly in anger. Killian hadn’t just cast me out, he wanted me erased.

Good.

Let him come.

I met Caleb’s gaze. “Why tell me this? Why risk your life running all this way?”

Caleb hesitated, then, quietly: “Because if he wins, there won’t be anything left. Not for me. Not for anyone.”

Silas released him roughly, shoving him forward.

Riven sighed. “Looks like we’re on a clock.”

Dara studied me carefully. “This changes things, Selene.”

She was right.

This wasn’t just about stopping Killian’s war.

It was about surviving it.

And if Killian wanted me dead so badly…

I’d just have to kill him first.