Selene pov

His long black hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, framing the sharp lines of his almond-shaped face. His lips ...full and pink ...looked almost too soft for someone like him.

His eyes, a piercing shade of green, burned with intensity and cruel amusement.

He looked more feminine than I did, almost delicate even ...but there was nothing soft about the way he stood. His body was muscular, it showed strength. My head barely reached his chest.

Yes, this man was handsome unnaturally so. But all I saw was the devil in disguise.

"Come to me, Selene," he said,

I didn't move. My gaze slid past him, scanning the terrain behind his broad shoulders.

That's when I saw a cliff, not too far off, hidden behind a rise of stone and thickets. My pulse spiked,that was my way out.

I smiled meant to serve as a distraction.

I took one step back.

"You're coming back to Blackthorn with me," he said, voice tightening. "Now."

I tilted my head, my voice low and sultry as I met his gaze. "And if I say no?"

His eyes darkened with interest, but I could feel the caution there too ..he knew I was planning something.

I took another step.

But before I could move again, his hand shot out .. faster than I anticipated ...and yanked me forward, crushing me against his chest.

His arms locked around me like iron bands, and his maddening scent...flooded my senses.

"You're not going anywhere."

I drove my fist into his chest and ducked under his arm, twisting to escape.

But he was faster.

His hand clamped around my waist, lifting me off the ground like I weighed nothing. I gritted my teeth and slammed my forehead into his nose with a sickening crack.

He didn't flinch.

Instead, he snarled and tightened his grip around my neck, spinning me in his arms so my back hit his chest.

I gasped, clawing at his arm as the air was choked from my lungs. Panic shot through me like lightning. My legs kicked uselessly, my nails raking against his skin, but he wouldn't let go.

Tears leaked from my eyes frustrated by my helplessness.

He leaned in, his tongue flicking out to catch the salt on my cheek.

"Ah... I love the taste of your tears," he murmured, voice dark with twisted pleasure.

"You monster," I choked, my voice barely a whisper as I tried to tear his hand from my throat.

In one movement, he shoved me back, pinning me against the nearest tree, the bark digging into my spine. His claws sliced through my dress, the fabric falling away in strips.

I gasped from shock, and from the cold air.

But worse... my wolf purred.

She wanted this. The power. The scent. The domination.

She saw a mate. I saw a monster.

And in that horrifying moment, I realized.. we were no longer on the same side.

He leaned in, his lips latching onto my neck with a force that stole the breath from my lungs. He sucked hard, claiming the space beneath my jaw like it belonged to him... and to my horror, my body responded.

My head tipped back, eyes fluttering shut, a moan slipping out as my vision blurred and my knees weakened.

I hated him.

I hated the way he made me feel. But no matter how much I resisted, my body had already begun to surrender it was worn down by the mate bond, tired of fighting what every cell inside me was screaming to accept.

A traitor's heat pooled between my legs as my wolf purred in the back of my mind.

He wedged his thigh between mine, raising it until the hard muscle pressed against the ache pulsing at my core...right against my clit. My hips jerked in response, betraying me again.

No.

I bit down on my lip to stop another sound from escaping, forcing my head to the side.

"I hate you," I hissed, voice trembling.

He smiled against my skin,

His fingers pushed into me without warning ...two thick fingers invaded my cunt stretching me.

The shock of it sent a jolt through me, my back arching against the tree as a ragged moan tore from my lips. My hands flew to his hair, fingers tangling in the silky strands, clutching him like an anchor in a storm I couldn't escape.

"For someone who claims to hate me," he murmured darkly, "you sure do moan beautifully."

I wanted to curse him. Spit in his face. Deny him everything.

But my body betrayed me again and again, grinding against his hand like it had already surrendered. My wolf was howling, desperate, and pleased.

I didn't know how long he held me there ...pinned to the tree, fingers deep inside me, pulling cries I didn't know I could make. At some point, the words left my mouth before I could stop them:

"Please... just claim me."

That was when the pain hit.

It was Sharp and Burning. Searing into the side of my neck.

I screamed.

"That's to mark you," he whispered against my skin. "So no one forgets your scent. So no one touches what's mine."

The world blurred around me. My legs gave out.

Just before darkness took me, I heard him whisper again, his voice thick with possession.

"You're mine now, rogue."

Then everything went black.

My head throbbed like it had been split open.

Groggy and disoriented, I blinked into the blinding light, the low hum of murmuring voices filling my ears. At first, I thought it was in my head ...a leftover hallucination from the fainted but then I turned, and my blood ran cold.

I stumbled back, nearly falling.

No. No. No.

My worst nightmare had come to life.

I was standing on a raised platform, dressed in a white ceremonial mating dress, thin and laced in gold. My feet were bare, my hair combed and adorned with silver threads.

The entire Blackthorn Pack was gathered before me.

I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe against my hammering heart.

"What is going on?" I gasped, looking around, begging for answers ..for mercy ...from no one in particular.

A voice answered from the steps of the platform.

"What do you think is going on?" Kael's voice rolled over the crowd . He ascended the steps, every inch the Alpha, his purple hair tied back in regal defiance. "I'm about to claim my mate in front of the pack, as per tradition."

"I never agreed to this!" I screamed, my voice cracking with desperation.

A hush fell over the crowd . The murmurs turned to sharp silence.

"Who are you to talk back to the Alpha?" a voice snapped from the crowd.

A man stepped forward ...one I recognized faintly from the fog of my childhood. His face was older now, harder, but the sneer was familiar.it was the alpha chief adviser.

Before I could react, his hand struck my cheek with a loud crack, snapping my head to the side.

"You filthy rogue. Murderer. You're lucky the Alpha even wants-"

His words were cut off by the sickening sound of flesh tearing.

Blood sprayed across my face.

The man staggered back with wide eyes.. before collapsing in a heap at my feet.

Kael stood behind him, his claws soaked in red.

His gaze locked on mine ..

"No one touches what's mine."

I gasped, unable to tear my eyes away from the body sprawled at my feet.

Blood pooled beneath him, warm and bright against the ceremonial white of my dress.

He was dead.

Killed without hesitation. Because of me.

"Now... shall we continue?" Kael asked, his voice calm. He stepped over the body like it was nothing more than a stain on the ground, his eyes fixed on me with dark finality.

He turned to face the crowd, then looked back at me as if this was just a formality.

"I, Alpha Kael Blackthorn, accept and claim rogue Selene as my mate."

His voice rang out through the crowd like a verdict.

He turned to me fully, and his tone dropped low, edged in command.

"Now do the same. I command you."

Tears slipped silently down my cheeks. My body trembled, my heart cracked wide open.

Every instinct screamed to run, to scream, to fight ...but the Alpha command coiled around my soul like chains.

I swallowed the sob rising in my throat, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I... Selene... accept Alpha Kael as my mate."

The moment the words left my lips, the crowd roared .. but I barely heard them.

Kael moved in an instant.

His mouth latched onto the curve of my neck, and then..he bit down Hard.

I screamed as his canines sank into my flesh, pain flaring like wildfire through my body. Blood spilled down my shoulder, marking me in front of everyone.

But I wasn't going to let him be the only one to leave a scar.

My wolf surged forward and before I could think, I lunged at him, sinking my teeth into the side of his neck, he grunted in surprise as I drew blood. The taste of him flooded my mouth .

The bond pulsed violently between us, golden light flashing for a heartbeat as our blood mingled in the open air.

It was done.

We were mated.

But as I pulled away, my eyes locked on his with hatred.

And a silent vow

This isn't over.

Selene pov

Days shifted into weeks, and my schedule remained the same. I wasn't allowed to leave the Pack House, wasn't allowed to go anywhere unsupervised. I kept to myself, completely, pretending not to hear all the insults thrown at me like daggers.

I was taking my daily walk around the Pack House when the head maid approached me, her steps brisk and eyes sharp.

"The Alpha requests your presence," she said curtly.

I gave a small nod and turned to follow her, but she didn't move. Instead, she stared at me with a look that could've soured milk .Disgust written all over her face.

"Don't tell me you're going to see the Alpha looking and smelling like that."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked, staring straight at the maid.

Shock flashed across her face. She clearly wasn't expecting me to respond.

I might be a rogue, but what they don't know is I was trained to run a household but the woman who took me in ..I and Keisha learned all the proper etiquette needed of a noble.

These fools don't know much about me at all.

She quickly masked her surprise, her lips curling into a sneer as she folded her arms.

"You may not care much about your looks, but you are still the Luna of this park .

I suggest you start looking like one, or you'll remain nothing more than a rejected Luna, sitting at the Alpha's feet like the dog you are," she spat, breathing hard.

Normally, the guards are supposed to step in at this point to maintain order, stop the disrespect being shown to their Luna .

But they didn't move.

They just stood there... watching the spectacle unfold.

Turning around, I realized the loud voice of the head maid had already attracted a crowd. A quiet cluster of pack members .. warriors, omegas, and servants ...stood scattered in the hallway, eyes glued to us.

I glanced down at myself.

I wore a plain black dress. My hair was tied in a messy bun at the top of my head.i wore no jewelry and absolutely no makeup.

Then I looked at her ...And I smiled softly.

"Thank you."

She blinked.

"What?"

"I didn't realize how much weight my presence carries. That even the head maid worries about how I represent this house." I stepped forward slightly,my voice calm but firm. "I may not have been raised here, but I know what it means to lead a home.

Respect is earned... not demanded."

Her face twitched, her certainty cracking.

"And I respect you," I added simply. "Because no one keeps a house like this running without being strong, smart, and just a little terrifying."

A quiet chuckle rippled through the crowd. But I kept my gaze on her.

"If you think I'm falling short, then I am open to learning . Not just for him"...i tilted my head toward the Alpha's wing"but for this household. For the people watching us now."

Silence hung thick in the air.

Then, slowly, the maid stepped back and bowed her head ...not in defeat, but in something closer to reluctant acceptance.

"Very well, Luna. I'll go and prepare a change of clothes " she said quietly waking out.

After that the crowd dispersed quickly.

Clap. Clap.

I turned sharply,my eyes narrowing at the sound.

A tall, strikingly handsome werewolf emerged from the shadows of the corridor, his slow, deliberate applause echoing down the hall as he walked toward me with a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Impressive."

He stopped a few feet away, with his arms crossed casually.

"Very impressive, Luna. The way you handled your maid... that was something to watch."

I straightened, shoulders tense.

"Who are you?"

His grin widened.

"Who am I?" he repeated, as if amused by the question.

He took another step forward, lowering his voice just enough to make my wolf bristle.

"Let's just say... I'm an acquaintance of your mate."

"Nice to meet you," he said, raising my hand to his lips.

I was startled by how quickly he'd closed the distance between us. One moment he was across the corridor ...the next, his warm breath touched my skin.

But before I could react further, a deep growl shattered the air, it was sharp and feral, sending fear racing down my spine.

"Touch my mate again and I'll kill you."

Kael's voice was unmistakable.

Sylvester, however, didn't flinch. He smiled, slowly and unbothered, and gently released my hand.

"Nice to see you again, Alpha Kael."

Kael's eyes were murderous.

"I can't say the same for you, Sylvester."

Sylvester turned back to me, his eyes glinting like polished sea glass ...a piercing blue that almost looked silver in the light.

His skin was dark and smooth, his sea-blue hair falling in waves to his shoulders, making him look almost... unreal. Like something out of an old storybook. A beautiful danger.

"I'll see you later," he said softly, his gaze lingering on mine before he turned and disappeared down the corridor.

Selene pov

When he walked away, I ran to my room, trying to catch my breath.

My heart was still pounding.

On the bed, a beautiful gown had been laid out for me. It wasn't something I would've chosen to wear normally, but I knew if I wanted any standing here ...any chance of surviving or leaving with dignity ...I needed allies. Including the head maid.

So I changed into the dress, smoothing it down as I let my hair fall freely to my waist.

I was just about to pick up a book when the door to my room burst open.

Kael walked in , his chest rising and falling, his breathing harsh and uneven.

His eyes dragged slowly over my body, lingering on the swell of my breasts before finally meeting mine. A soft moan nearly escaped my lips at the heat in his gaze ...but I looked away quickly, forcing my emotions down.

"Why were you getting cozy with my friend, Selene?" he asked, his voice rough with barely contained rage.

I turned to face him fully, keeping my expression blank.

"I wasn't getting cozy with anyone."

He stepped forward, his jaw tight.

"Is that why you dressed up? For him?"

"You're being ridiculous," I said, trying to suppress the mix of anger and unwanted longing curling in my chest.

Kael stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, eyes burning into mine.

"I'll have you, Selene," he growled, voice low and full of dark promise.

"Begging for me. Begging for my cock like your body was made for it."

I turned my face away, even as my wolf whimpered in the back of my mind.

He then turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone once more.

The infuriating bastard.

He forced me here, refused to let me reject the bond and now he won't even finish the mating process.

He keeps me on a leash, dangling between ownership and abandonment.

And I don't know how long I can wait.

But I swear I'd rather lose my mind than beg.

I gripped the edge of the dresser, trying to steady my breath, but it was becoming harder to breathe. The ache was crawling under my skin, blooming in my chest, my stomach, my thighs.causing my nipples to harden,

The bond was growing stronger.

I decided to go out and resume my search for Keisha. Since we were restrained, I hadn't laid eyes on my friend, and Kael refused to tell me what had been done to her .. not even his Beta would give me a straight answer.

I stepped out of the room, trying to steady myself, ignoring the heat pooling between my thighs.

Focus, I said, slapping my cheek.

I resumed my search.

The Pack House was like a massive labyrinth of polished halls, winding corridors, and too many doors. It was easy to get lost in here, but I've always had a brilliant memory, and for that, I was grateful.

Holding my small pocket knife close, I moved quietly, marking the corners I passed with tiny scratches....just in case.

After what felt like forever, I stumbled into a part of the house I hadn't crossed before.

It was quiet.

And then I saw an enormous arched door, slightly open.

The library.

I stepped inside, crossing the threshold into a space lined with books as far as the eye could see. Floor-to-ceiling shelves. Dusty tomes. Velvet chairs. The scent of old parchment and something faintly magical filled the air.

It was beautiful.

And completely empty.

I kept walking around the library, unable to keep my hands off the books.

Since I was a little girl, reading had always been the one thing that kept me going. For me it was an escape.

My fingers trailed over old spines, faded titles, and delicate gold-foiled covers.

That was until I noticed a gap in the wall ...it was subtle, almost unnoticeable unless you were really looking.

One section of the shelf seemed to protrude just slightly from the others.

I stepped closer, heart picking up pace, as I ran my fingers along the edge.

It didn't feel like the rest of the wall.

My fingers hovered along the edge of the shelf, tracing the faint outline of the gap. There was a small indentation near the base. I pressed it gently.

Click.

A soft grinding sound followed,like stone scraping against stone.

The shelf creaked forward an inch... then began to slide sideways, revealing a narrow passage hidden behind the wall.

The air coming from the passage was stale and cold,

I stared at it for a second, pulse pounding in my throat. The space was just wide enough for a person to slip through .

Clutching my knife tighter, I stepped inside.

The wooden floorboards shifted under my weight, and the light from the library dimmed the farther I went. The walls were lined with cobwebs and stone, and the only sound was the faint echo of my own footsteps.

My gut told me I was heading somewhere important.

Somewhere secret.

And maybe, just maybe... Keisha had been through here too.

Before I could convince myself that I was making a mistake , that I should turn around and leave a voice echoed down the passage.

It was Sylvester and he sounded close by.

I froze, pressing my back to the wall, holding my breath.

I inched forward, careful not to make a sound, just enough to peer around the bend of the tunnel. The passage widened slightly up ahead, opening into a small chamber lit by a single lantern.

And there he was.

Sylvester stood in front of a stone table, unfurling a map. His back was to me, his sea-blue hair catching the warm light like silk.

When are you going to tell Selene about the blood bond curse, Kael?" Sylvester's voice cut through the chamber like a blade.

I froze.

Kael was here too .. sitting at the other end of the stone table, his Beta standing just behind him with folded arms.

"I wanted you to confirm if it was true," Kael said.

"Seeing as your family has a thing for... bonds. And curses."

Sylvester scoffed and leaned over the table.

"Don't start with me, Kael. This curse ...this bond ...it's not natural. You marked her, yes. But the blood bond activated on its own."

Now tell me," Sylvester continued, eyes narrowing,

"When did the mark appear?"

"Immediately after I marked her."

Sylvester's brows drew together.

"And?"

Kael exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

"It appeared at the base of her neck. A blood sigil. It glowed red for a second before fading."

"I was able to mask it."

Sylvester cursed under his breath.

"So she has no idea she's not just bound to you... she's cursed to you."

Kael's jaw clenched.

"Then how do we break it?"

Sylvester exhaled sharply, like the weight of the answer exhausted him.

"The blood bond curse isn't something that can be easily broken, Kael. It's ancient. Twisted. It doesn't just bind mates... it feeds off conflict, pain, possession. The more you fight it, the stronger it gets."

Kael said nothing, his expression unreadable.

"You're hurting her just by holding back," Sylvester added, voice dropping.

"If you don't finish the bond soon,you both could spiral. Or worse."

I should've waited.

Should've stayed hidden until the end of their conversation.

But I didn't.

Instead I turned and ran away, my heart pounding with every step.

The idea that I might be more deeply bonded to Kael than I thought, that something ancient and cursed had wrapped itself around me without my knowledge... was suffocating.

What if I'm in danger?

What if I already am?

I didn't stop running until I reached the library again, slamming the hidden passage shut behind me and leaning against the wall, chest heaving.

No more secrets.

If they wouldn't tell me the truth, I'd find it myself.

Straightening my spine, I stepped out into the warm, quiet stillness of the library. A she wolf, maybe the Liberian nearly, froze at the sight of me.

"Is there any book here on mating bonds?" I asked, keeping my voice calm.

She hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"Yes, Luna. That section-" she pointed to a far corner, "back wall, top shelves. The older texts."

I nodded once, already moving.

Because if I was cursed...

I needed to know exactly what I was fighting.

Since that day, I haven't seen Sylvester or my mate.

I spend the entire day holed up in my room, either scouring dusty old books for answers about the bond or searching endlessly for Keisha. But I still had no clue where she was. Nothing.

The books I've been reading offer little more than vague warnings and scattered theories. Only one recorded case of this bond exists throughout history and it ended in horror.

The pair descended into madness, driven wild by something no one could understand, until they finally killed each other.

No one knows how the curse works. No one even understands its structure, its purpose, or its origin.

But what haunts me the most is that Kael knew. He knew and said nothing.

And maybe I should've expected that from him. Maybe I'm just naive for still hoping there's something good in him.

But right now, I can't see it. Not when everything feels like it's falling apart.

Knock, knock.

The sound of the door pulled me from the haze of my reading. I looked up, my heart still heavy with everything I'd just uncovered.

"Come in," I called, setting the book aside.

The head maid stepped inside, bowing low...more respectfully than she ever had before. There was a nervousness to her movements, like she wasn't sure how to act around me anymore.

"Luna," she said carefully, "you are to get dressed and appear before the Alpha."

I blinked. "Now?"

She nodded once. "Yes. Immediately."

I sighed, standing slowly. "Okay."

Whatever this was, I had a feeling it wouldn't be good. Not after what I'd just learned. Not after days of silence.

I walked into the hall and immediately felt like running.

There were more people than usual. No, not just more. Everyone was here. The entire pack had gathered, their gazes fixed on the entrance like they were waiting for a spectacle.

And I was it.

Kael stepped forward from the center of the room, his expression smug, almost too pleasant.

"How nice of you to join us, Selene," he said, smiling with that mock sweetness that made my skin crawl.

I gave a quiet nod, forcing my face to remain neutral. I began to walk toward him, ready to take my usual place at his feet, like I had done before. But something stopped me.

There was another throne beside his. A New Throne.

I hesitated, confused. Did he want me by his side now?

I took a cautious step forward, unsure if I should kneel or sit.

But then his voice, soft and sharp as a blade, cut through the silence.

"No, darling. That throne isn't for you."

I froze mid-step, shame washing over me in a wave so hot it scalded. The entire room watched, hungry for my humiliation.

"You've been so quiet. So obedient lately," Kael continued, his tone laced with something almost amused. "I thought it was time to... reward you."

My heart dropped.

"Today," he said with cruel pride, "I'll be announcing my concubine."

A roar built in my ears, drowning out the gasps around me. My wolf howled in fury, thrashing inside my chest, but I stood frozen.

"Who?" I managed, my voice barely more than a whisper.

And then I heard her.

"It's me."

The voice I thought I'd never hear again.

Elara.

My sister.