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.

Kael pov

I watched her face crumble the moment she heard her sister's voice .

Elara.

It was like watching a carefully crafted mask crack in slow motion.

Selene's breath hitched. Her lips parted in disbelief, and for the first time in days, her eyes weren't empty...they were wide with shock, pain... betrayal.

And I don't know why, but I loved it.

I loved watching that calm, defiant façade unravel. Maybe because she's always so composed. Maybe because no matter how much I bend the world to my will, she refuses to yield.

And that makes me want her more.

But also... it infuriates me.

"How?" she whispered, her voice fragile and broken. "I don't understand..."

Her eyes locked on her sister, full of hurt and confusion. "You died. They couldn't find your body. I searched for you." Her voice cracked. "I was branded a traitor for you."

The tears came fast now, streaking her cheeks as she took a step back, pointing a trembling finger at Elara. "You were alive all these years... and you knew?"

I felt something stir in me at the sight...guilt, maybe. But I shoved it down, buried it beneath the anger and desire that always seemed to burn hotter around her.

"You see, sister," Elera said softly, her voice measured, "after you left me for dead, I truly thought I was dead."

Selene flinched.

"I was found by passersby...kind people who took me in, raised me like I was one of their own." She looked down for a second, pain evident in her voice .

"But I didn't leave you," Selene cried out. "I never did! We didn't even go out that day. We were supposed to...supposed to stay inside. I-"

"Enough." My voice cut through the room like a whip.

"She is going to be my concubine," I said, letting my voice ring through the hall, calm and deliberate. "And if she proves more useful to me than you, Selene..."

My gaze found hers...

"She will be crowned my Luna. You will remain nothing more than my mate in name."

The crowd froze. A breathless silence swept through the hall, but I kept my focus solely on her.

She staggered.

Just a single step back, but it was enough. Her face paled, and for the first time in a long time, her mask slipped. The strength she always wore like armor faltered.

Her lips parted, trembling. She didn't speak at first. Just stood there crushed by words I delivered with ruthless calm.

Her voice finally came, soft and broken. "So why did I have to suffer all these years?"

She wasn't asking the crowd. She wasn't even asking Elara.

She was asking me.

I didn't say anything, just staring at her coldly.

She turned and ran bolting from the hall like the ground had burned her.

I didn't hesitate.

Ignoring the stares of my subjects, ignoring Elara's voice calling after me, I followed her. My focus was her.

She was fast,,,desperation to get away from me fueling her steps...but I was faster.

Before she could slam her door shut, I shoved it open and stepped into the room she had turned into her sanctuary. Her prison. Her fortress.

She spun around, eyes wide, chest rising and falling as though every breath was a battle.

"Leave me alone, Kael," she said, her voice hoarse. She backed away from me like I was something dangerous.

Maybe I was.

I took a step toward her anyway.

Every muscle in me burned. My wolf surged forward, clawing beneath my skin, demanding what it had been denied for far too long. It wanted to claim. To complete the bond. To make her mine in the most primal way.

But this wasn't just instinct. It was something else. Something more twisted.

She looked at me like I'd already broken her. Like I was the monster in her story, and she had finally stopped pretending I could be anything else.

And yet... I still moved closer.

"I said leave me alone, Kael," she snapped, her voice cracking with raw emotion.

But I couldn't. I wouldn't.

I closed the distance between us in two strides. Her chest rose and fell, panic flashing in her eyes as I reached for her.

I grabbed her wrists

"Don't run from me," I said through clenched teeth.

She struggled, twisting against my grip, but I was stronger. I always had been.

In one swift movement, I spun her around and pinned her to the bed. Her back hit the mattress, her eyes wide with fury and pain. I hovered over her, breathing hard, every part of me humming with the pull of the bond.

I clawed her underwear away then lowered my head between her thighs, burying my mouth deep in her wet cunt.

The taste of her made my wolf growl with possessive hunger, and I held her hips firmly as she arched off the bed, a broken sound slipping from her lips.

"Kael..." she whispered, breathless.

I parted her legs wider, forcing her open for me completely, and utterly exposed.

My control slipped as my wolf pushed closer to the surface, clawing at the inside of my skin. I let him through, just enough to darken my senses, to make my tongue move with feral hunger as I dove back in.

I could feel her cumming...again and again against my tongue, her thighs trembling violently around my head.

I held her down, one arm wrapped around her hips, locking her in place as her back arched, her breath shattered into desperate cries.

She tried to pull away but I wasn't done.

My tongue moved faster, more deliberately now, flicking and circling that sweet, swollen spot with a ruthless rhythm that had her crying out again, her body writhing uncontrollably beneath me.

Her hands clawed at the sheets. Her head tossed side to side. She was falling apart unraveling beautifully under my mouth.

"Kael-please," she gasped,"But I didn't stop.

Because I wanted her undone.

I didn't stop until her voice went hoarse, until her cries dissolved into breathless sobs of pleasure, until her legs gave out entirely until she melted under me, limp and wet and shaking.

Only then did I lift my head, my breath ragged, chin glistening with her juices .My eyes locked on hers.

my wolf clawed at the inside of my chest, demanding I finish it ...claim her. Mark her. Sink my dick into her and make her mine in every way.

But I didn't.

Instead, I leaned in close, brushing my lips against the shell of her ear. She shivered, barely able to move.

My voice was low, rough, and unrelenting.

"If you want me..." I whispered, "...fight for me."