CHAPTER 9
Selene's POV I sat quietly under the tree lost in my thoughts and only turned when Riven tapped me. “I've trying to get your attention, but it seems you were thinking of something else. What's bothering you?” he asked sitting next to me. I sighed wondering if I should just escape the question or simply say I was tired. “Where do you think those twenty rogues will be? Do you think they would have been caught?” Riven shrugged hitting my shoulder lightly. “Why are you bothered about them. They made their decisions. They were arrogant looking down on you. So, I careless about them right from.” “Oh come on Riven. You shouldn't say that. They were only scared. They've been in pain, and we're not just patient enough. That's all I see. I don't blame them, they were just desperate to have revenge.” I muttered. Riven picked up a stone throwing it playfully. “So any plans? Because according to Caleb, Killian will be attacking in two days. Have you thought of a way forward?” I nodded though unsure. “Remember the rogue you told me about. The one with an abandoned pack filled with rogues.” Riven Express suddenly changed. He shook his head refusing my idea instantly. “But why? Just imagine we go to him, he could help us. Besides, it's a win-win for both sides if Killian is defeated.” I tried to reason with him. Riven refused the idea still. “Even Killian will think twice to attack that man. He's crazy. Only gives a fuck about his people. As long as Killian doesn't disturb him he won't disturb Killian either. It's like an agreement from both sides, so I doubt that idea of yours is going to work.” he diverted his gaze. His warm expression gone. Silas and Dara approached us. Dara gave Riven a killer stare. “Why did you bring her out alone? What are you doing?” she demanded eyeing him suspiciously. Riven was in no mood for jokes, he told them what I was up to immediately, and they also refused. “Come on guys, you have to tell me why. You can't just say no and hide things from me, how do you persuade me that way?” I looked at their faces one by one. They were holding back, so definitely they were hiding some truth. “Riven had an encounter with him once, but he's barely escaped with his life.” Dara began. “I thought he helps rogues. Isn't he one too?” Dara nodded. “Yes he is a rogue and according to what we all heard, he was banished by his father since he was still a young boy.” The revelation shocked me to the core. Why would a father banish his young son? How does he expect him to survive alone? “He's name is Caius, but he prefers to be called Dark, a name he gave himself and lived to its reputation.” Dara continued. “Dark is surrounded by an army of rogues. There are no weak or old. Thinking of going to him is like approaching your death. Dark is merciless especially to women. He gives them to his rogue soldiers to have fun with.” Dara's explanation sent a cold chill down my spine. I was suddenly having second thoughts, but how do we fight against Killian when we are just four? It feels impossible, but there was nothing wrong In trying. Dara stared at my face with a sigh. “You still don't understand who this man is with my explanation. He won't spare us if we trespass.” “We aren't trespassing, we are going there willingly to see him. And I have just the perfect plan to convince him.” “Convince him?” Riven who had been silent since finally spoke up. “I'll go wherever Selene choose to. I believe in her.” Silas said, and they looked at him like he had just betrayed them. Dara muttered in a low tone. “You should know Riven can't come with us.” I nodded. “I'll think of something. But I want us to leave quickly. Let's leave tonight, who is in?” Dara and Riven looked at each other with hesitance. Silas declared he was ready. Dara and Riven let out a deep sigh before declaring they were ready too. “But make sure your plan is superb. Dark is not someone to joke with.” Riven said he's normal warm demeanor retuning. I felt stronger with their support. To be honest, my idea was a brutal one. But as it seems, it was the option we had. ****** At night, we left for Dark's territory. We slept on our way as the journey was far. Finally, at dawn. We reached Dark's territory. The place flooded with rough-looking rogue. Their sights were scary. I swallowed hard. “Are we going now?” Dara asked. I brought out the clothes in the bag handing it over to Dara. ”What for?“ she whispered. Dark doesn't take women. The best was to go in disguise. “And you are suggesting that?” Dara stared at me in disbelief. Riven and Silas grinned, trying to hide their laughter. Dara shot them a hard glare and turned to me. ”We don't have a choice Dara, this is our only solution." She reluctantly stood up and left to change. ****** “What do you want?“ Killian asked Mathew. ”Why have you returned?“ Mathew gave him a shocking expression and chuckled. ”Don't I belong here anymore? Am I no longer welcomed?“ ”You should watch your tongue then. I'll be attacking the eastern packs and expanding our territory. You should sit back and watch me don't stir trouble.” Killian warned. Mathew looked at him amused. "When is this attack?“ Killian was reluctant, he knows the kind of person he calls brother what he's capable of, but Mathew will find out anyway. ”it's in two days.“ Killian replied.Dark’s POV“That doesn’t mean I’ll take advantage of her love.”Havana stood across from me, her arms folded beneath her chest.“I care for her, Havana,” I continued, “More than I thought I ever could. If it means never breaking this curse… I’ll live with it. I’d rather be cursed beside her than free without her.”Havana’s gaze softened slightly, but she said nothing. ******Morning came, everything seemed normal.I walked out of my room and made my way to check on Silas. Dara was awake, seated beside him, gently patting a cloth to his forehead. Silas still hadn’t opened his eyes fully, but his chest rose and fell with calm breaths.“How is he?” I asked.Dara looked up. “A bit better.”I nodded. “Have you seen Selene?”She blinked. “No… she hasn’t come to check on him.”My brows furrowed. “Are you sure?”“I’ve been here all night.”I turned and walked out.I found Havana in her room, packing her clothes needed for laundry.“Where’s Selene?” I asked.She looked up. “I haven’t seen her
CHAPTER 76Selene’s POVThe stars felt closer up here.I sat beside him, my knees bent and my hands folded between them. The wind brushed through his hair, and his eyes brightened even in the dark.“You said something about your mother…” I asked gently.He was quiet for a while.Then he said in a low tone, “She died the day I was born.”I turned to him.“She wasn’t supposed to,” he added, staring at the sky. “I wasn’t supposed to live either.”“What do you mean?”“She went to a strange woman. She said I wouldn’t survive the birth. My body wasn’t strong enough. So my mother made a choice to save me no matter the consequences as long as I live. But she died while giving birth to me.”I swallowed, a soft ache forming in my chest.“And… that’s how you got your curse?” I asked.He nodded once. “It was the price.”He looked down at his hands. “To survive, I had to be bound to it. The curse wasn’t just given to me, it became a part of me. It was the only way for me to live.”I didn’t know w
Selene’s POV I woke to the soft sound of birds and the golden glow of evening light slipping through the windows. My eyes fluttered open, and the memory hit me hard. I blinked rapidly. I was still naked beneath the sheets and then it all flooded back. His hands, his lips, the warmth of his skin pressed against mine. The way he whispered my name like it was something he never wanted to forget. It was peaceful and slow unlike what I expected, rough and full of sin. But this…. This was calm. “Oh Moon goddess,” I whispered, pressing a hand over my mouth, my face burning. The door creaked open. “You’re awake.” I turned quickly. Dark stood at the doorway, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, a small but rare smile curving his lips. In his hand, a cup steamed faintly. He walked toward me. I tugged the sheet tighter around my chest, my heart pounding for no reason other than the way he was looking at me. He handed me the cup. “Tea. It’s still warm.” I took it with both hands, gratef
CHAPTER 74 Selene’s POV We arrived just before dawn. My legs ached with every step. But I didn’t care, Silas was alive. Dark carried him, his arm supporting the weight without effort, but I saw the tension in his jaw. He hadn’t said a word since we escaped from Alpha Raymond guards. As soon as we stepped into the territory and near the main house, “Silas!” Dara’s voice cracked as she ran. Her eyes were red, her face pale, but the moment she saw us, she broke into tears. “Dara,” I said quickly, stepping in front of her. “He’s alive. He’s hurt but he’s alive.” She sobbed, reaching to touch his arm as Dark passed. “Thank you, thank the moon goddess. I almost thought we'd lost him. I thought it would be too late.” Dara said between sobs. Dark took Silas straight into one of the rooms and lowered him gently on the bed. “Havana,” he called and she rushed into the room. He turned to her as she entered, “can you treat him?” She nodded immediately. “I’ll do my best.” H
CHAPTER 73 Killian’s POV She thought I was asleep. But I wasn’t. I lay on the edge of the bed, my eyes closed. Lilliana moved quietly across the room, just like she had for the past few nights. Always when she thought I was out. I waited until the door clicked shut behind her. Then I opened my eyes. I followed her. She was careful, I’ll give her that. Clever with her steps, quiet like a thief in her own home. But I had spent years tracking wolves through the dark. She couldn’t outrun that. She took a corner looking over her shoulder. Then, I stopped in front of a door and knocked. She entered and I came out of my hiding. I stood close to the door enough to hear what they were saying inside. A voice greeted her, male. “You’re late,” he said. “I had to wait till he passed out,” Lilliana replied, her voice sharper than I’d heard in days. My stomach turned. “You’re still playing the victim well,” the man said. She scoffed. “It’s not hard. He’s more broken than I expected.
Chapter 72Selene's POVI reached inside the Dark Howl palace. Everywhere was in disarray, maids running around and any guards who tried to stop were killed by me instantly. I looked around each room and still I couldn't find Silas. Then, I saw a maid, leaving a room with a blood stained cloth on a tray. I entered the room but it was empty. I furrowed my brows looking around. I walked towards a curtain ahead and pulled it over. I froze when I saw Silas.He was tied to a chair, bloodied and barely conscious. His face was swollen and his shirt torn and soaked.“Silas!” I cried, rushing forward.But I stopped, because I wasn’t alone.Alpha Raymond stepped out from a corner.“How sweet,” he said, smiling. “You found him.”I backed up slightly, my eyes scanning the room.There were at least five guards.One stood behind Silas, a knife held tightly against his throat.Alpha Raymond raised a brow. “I said I’d let him live. But only if you give me the bottle.”My breath caught.“You never