Selene’s POV

The bond dissolution papers were still warm in my hands when the door opened.

I did not need to look up to know who it was.

My mother walked in like she always did.Like every room belonged to her.

She stopped in the middle of the floor and folded her arms.

“Verra just gave birth,”she said.“She needs to recover.You will make her moon-root broth.The one with slow-simmered bone marrow.”

I looked at her.

“That takes eight hours to prepare.”

“Yes,”she said.“It does.”

No softness.No apology.She said it like she was reminding me of my purpose.

“Start now.It should be ready before she sleeps.”

My father appeared at the door behind her.He did not speak.He only looked at me the way he always had.Like I was a disappointment.

I set the papers down.

“I will start now,”I said.

They were stunned and nodded approvely,and left without another word.

Not one question about my ribs.Not one look at the injury on my jaw.Not one moment of seeing me at all.

I had stopped expecting it a long time ago.

...

I stood at the fire,cooking for eight hours.

My burned hand ached the whole time.I kept going.

By the time the broth was done,the den had gone quiet.Caelan was with Verra.I could hear their voices through the wall.Low and easy.The way people talk when they feel safe.

I carried the tray upstairs and left it outside her door.

Just as i turned to go.

Her door opened.

“Selene.”

Verra’s voice was soft.The kind of soft that means nothing good.

I stopped.

“Thank you for the broth,”she said.

I said nothing.

She stepped into the corridor.Her slippers made no sound.She came close enough that I could see her face clearly in the low light.

There was nothing weak about her.Nothing tired.Just that calm,waiting look she got when she had already decided what she was going to do.

“You looked at me a certain way at dinner,”she said.“I noticed.”

“I did not mean anything by it.”

She smiled.

“Of course not.”

She stepped even closer.

“You should be careful up here,”she said.“Near the stairs.”

My stomach dropped.

Then her hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.

Not a push.A pull.

She yanked me toward her,twisted her body sideways,and together we came tumbling down the stairs.She made it look exactly like something I had done.

“Ah…!”

The cry that came out of her was perfect.Frightened.Helpless.

She tumbled down four steps and caught the railing.Then she folded against it,clutching her side,tears already falling.

I tumbled down the stairs too slow to grab the railing and my injured hand made it hard,and I could feel my whole body ache from the pain.

The door at the end of the corridor flew open.

“Verra!”

Caelan reached her in seconds.His hands moved over her,checking,searching,his voice tight with fear.

“Where does it hurt?Look at me.Verra,look at me.”

She pressed herself into his chest and sobbed.

“She pushed me.”Her voice cracked.“I only came out to thank her.I didn’t do anything,Caelan.I didn’t do anything.”

His head lifted slowly.

He looked down at me.

There was no question in his eyes.No hesitation.He had already made up his mind before he even looked down.

“What did you do.”

It was not a question.

“I did not push her,”I said.“She grabbed my wrist.She pushed me…”

“Enough.”

He passed Verra gently to my mother,who had appeared at the top of the stairs,and walked me my room.

My chest tightened.

I shut up to my feet ignoring the pain all over my body,and followed him.

He was already at the shelf when I reached the door.

His hand closed around the small clay urn.

My pup’s ashes.

I stopped breathing.

“Caelan.”My voice came out quiet.“Put it down.”

He turned it over in his hand.Slowly.Like it was nothing.

“Apologize to Verra,”he said.

“I did not push her.”

“Apologize.”

“Please put it down.That is all I have left of…”

“Then apologize.”

His voice had no anger in it.No cruelty.Just emptiness.He was not trying to hurt me.He simply did not care enough to think about what he was holding.

That was worse.

“I’m sorry.”The words tore coming out.“I am sorry.Please.Put it down.”

For one moment I thought he would.

His fingers opened.

The urn dropped.

It hit the stone floor and broke apart.

The sound it made was so small.

That was the part that undid me.All that was left of my pup.And the sound it made when it shattered was barely a whisper.

I could not move.

He was already walking out.

He stepped over the broken pieces without looking down.He did not glance back at me.His whole body was already turned toward her.

“You are safe,”I heard him say,his voice going soft the moment he reached her.“I am here.”

...

I went down slowly.

Onto my knees.Onto the cold floor.

I gathered every piece with my bare hands.The sharp edge of one piece cut my palm.I kept going.

Some of the ash had scattered too far.Already lost.

I sat there for a long time.

Down the hall,I heard Verra laugh.Soft and easy.The laugh of someone who felt completely safe.

And I was on the floor,bleeding,holding what was left of everything I had lost.

I let myself feel it.All of it.The grief.The fury.The deep,hollow ache of it.

I did not fight it.I let it come.

And then,slowly,it settled.

What was left when it passed was not sadness.It was something quieter.Something cold and clear and steady.

I looked at the bond dissolution papers on the desk.

The pardon scroll in my bag.

The memory crystal with every piece of evidence already stored inside it.

He had just given me the last thing I needed.

Not a reason to stay angry.

A reason to leave.

I finished packing that night.Slowly.In the dark.Without a sound.

By the time the house went fully still,I was ready.

...

Let them sleep.

Let them feel safe.

By the time they opened their eyes,everything they thought they had would already be coming apart.

Selene's POV

The next morning,I left before anyone woke up.

I walked into the forest alone.

The path to Mira's grave was overgrown now.No one came here anymore.No one remembered her but me.

I stood in front of the small stone.

"Mira…"My voice came out broken.

I just stared at her name.My chest hurt so much I could not breathe.

"I'm leaving,"I said quietly."This time,I won't come back."

I touched the cold stone.Memories flooded in.Her laugh.Her loyalty.The way she always stood beside me when no one else would.

"I found out the truth,"I said.My voice shook."Verra started the fire.She killed you."

My throat closed up.

"And Caelan knew."

Saying it out loud made it real.

"I trusted him.And he helped her get away with it."

A tear fell down my cheek.

"I'm sorry,"I whispered."I could not save you.I could not save my pup either."

My chest hurt so much.

"If you were still here…"My voice broke."You would not have let them treat me like this."

I could not speak for a moment.Then I forced the words out.

"But I will not let it end like this."

I stepped back.My whole body was shaking.

"This is the last time I come here."

I turned and walked away.I did not look back.

I barely made it past the trees when rouge wolves grabbed me.Strong hands pulled me down.A cloth went over my mouth.

The smell was sharp.Sweet.Wrong.

My body went weak.The last thing I saw before everything went dark was Verra's face.She was already in the van.Unconscious.

Then nothing.

When I woke up,my head pounded.

The room was dark.The air was wet and cold.My hands were tied behind my back.

Voices came from somewhere close.

"She is awake."

"Good.contact him"

A communication moonstone glowed faintly and Caelan's voice came through.Tense.Sharp.

"Who is this?"

"We have two women,"a voice said."Verra and Selene.One hundred Moon Shards for each."

My heart stopped.Then the connection ended.

Verra was crying nearby.Soft.Scared.

I did not know how much time passed.Then the door opened.

Caelan walked in.

His hair was a mess.His clothes were wrinkled.He looked like he had run here.

His eyes found me.For a second,he looked relieved.

"Selene…"he said.He stepped closer.

My throat tightened.He actually came.

"I brought the moon shards,"he said quickly.His voice was low."Just hold on.I will get you out."

For one moment,hope came back.Then he spoke again.

"Release verra first."

The words hit me like a blow.I looked at him.

"You chose her,"I said quietly.

He froze.

"It is not like that…"

But even he did not believe his own words.

"I did not have enough time to gather two hundred moon shards,"he said quickly."I could only save one now.Verra is weak.She is dying.I had to get her out first."

The same excuse.Always the same.

"And what about me?"I asked.

"I will come back for you,"he said.His voice was firm now.Like he was trying to believe it himself."Just hold on a little longer."

Verra's voice trembled."No…cealan,do not do this.I do not want anything to happen to her…"

"You are too good for this world,Verra,"Caelan said to her.

Then he turned to me.

"I will be back."

He left with Verra.He did not look back at me once.

I lowered my head.My chest hurt so much I could not breathe.

What was the point of pretending now?He had already shown me the truth.

He chose her life over mine.

Just like he chose her pup over mine.

‘’Looks like your man does not love you that much."

Laughter filled the room.

Rough hands grabbed my arm.They pulled me up.Then threw me down.Pain shot through my side.My vision went blurry.

"Did you see that?"one of them said.He crouched in front of me."He came all the way here…and still left you."

Another laugh.

"Must feel good."

I clenched my teeth.My body shook.

They did not need to hurt me.Caelan already had.Time stopped meaning anything.

They dragged me.They hit me.They left me cold without food or water.

They laughed every time I tried to stay awake.

Every time I thought it was over,it came again.

My body could not keep up.

My breathing got fast and shallow.I could not get enough air.

"Stay awake,"someone laughed."Do not pass out yet."

My fingers scraped against the floor.I was so cold.I curled into myself.Nothing helped.

"Where is that man now?"another voice mocked."Did he not say he would come back?"

More laughter.

"She is so pathetic."

My chest tightened.I could not breathe.Tears slipped out.I pressed my forehead to the cold floor and shook.

Then the door burst open.Growls.Snarls.The sound of bodies slamming against walls.

"Hold!"

I knew that voice.I forced my eyes open.

Uncle Aldric stood in the doorway.His guards filled the room behind him.Wolves fell at their feet.

He was not young anymore.But right now,he looked like a storm.

His eyes found me on the floor.His face went hard.

"Selene."

I could not speak.

He crossed the room in three steps.His guards cut the ropes on my wrists.Someone put a blanket over my shoulders.

"How…"I whispered.My throat was raw."How did you find me?"

Uncle Aldric knelt beside me.He took my hand gently.He touched the bracelet on my wrist.

The one he gave me 6 months ago.After I saved his life.

It was small.Wooden beads and a single blue stone.I never took it off.

"It has a spell,"he said quietly."You touch it when you are in danger.It sends a signal to me."

I looked down at the bracelet.I did not remember touching it.

But my other hand was bloody.My fingers must have brushed the stone while I was passing out.

"The moment it lit up,I came,"he said.His voice shook."I should have come sooner.I am sorry."

"You came,"I said.Tears fell down my cheeks."You came for me."

"Always,"he said."You saved my life once,little one.I will spend mine keeping you safe."

He lifted me into his arms like I weighed nothing.

"Take us home,"he said to his guards.

I pressed my face into his shoulder.For the first time in years,I felt safe.

Selene's POV

When I opened my eyes,I was in the healers den.

My body felt heavy.Every move hurts.My throat was dry.

"Selene…"I turned my head slowly.

Uncle Aldric was staring at me.His eyes were red.Like he had not slept.

"You are awake,"he said.He grabbed my hand tightly."You've been out for days”

I tried to speak.My voice came out weak.

"How long?"

"Two days."

My fingers went still.Two days.I had to leave soon."And Caelan?"I asked.

Uncle Aldric's face changed.

"He did not come,"he said quietly.

The words did not hurt as much as I expected.Maybe because I already knew.

Uncle Aldric's grip tightened."Why did you stay with him,Selene?After everything he did?He took everything from you.And you still---"

"I will be fine,"I said softly.

Uncle Aldric nodded.But he did not say another word.

"I want you to come back with me,"he said."To Blackthorne territory.You will be safe there."

I shook my head.

"I cannot.Not yet."

"Why not?"

"I need answers,"I said."About Mira.About my pup.I need to hear the truth from them.Then I will come back.I promise."

He looked at me for a long time.Then he sighed.

"You are as stubborn as your mother."

"I learned from the best."

He smiled a little.But his eyes stayed worried.

"Take this,"he said.He put a small protection Stone in my hand."If you are in danger,touch it.I will come.No matter where you are."

I closed my fingers around it.

"Thank you,Uncle."

After my medication,I left my healing chamber.

I went straight to the pack healer.The one who had helped Verra.The one who knew the truth.

I walked in and closed the door.

The healer looked up.Annoyed.Until he saw me.His face lost all color.

"You…’’

I stepped inside.Then I took out a memory crystal and placed it on the table.

"My name is Selene Blackthorne,"I said calmly."Heiress to the Blackthorne family."

His lips trembled.

"I will give you one chance,"I continued."Tell me the truth."

"I…I do not know what—"

"You do not want me as your enemy,"I warned.

His hands started shaking.

"I will destroy everything you have,"I added quietly."Your healing den.Your family will not be safe from what comes after."

"I will talk!"he said quickly.

"Say it."

His voice shook.

"Verra's pup…did not need the soul essence".

My breath stopped.

"What?"

"Her pup was fine,"he stammered."There was no sickness.It was not necessary."

I stared at him.My brain refused to understand.

"Say it again."

"The pup did not need it!"he cried."Verra insisted!She said she wanted…she wanted your pup gone."

The room tilted.

My fingers gripped the edge of the table.

So my pup did not have to die at all.My legs gave out.I caught myself on the table.My whole body was shaking.

"So you killed an innocent pup for nothing,"I whispered.My voice trembled.

Tears blurred my vision.The healer fell to his knees.

"She threatened my family!I had no choice"

"You had a choice,"I yelled."And you chose to kill my pup!"

He broke down completely.

"I am sorry!Please"

"I will not spare you."

I picked up my moonstone and called the pack counsel.

"I found the healer.He confessed.Have him arrested.I have evidence."

When I got back to the den,I braced myself.

I needed to keep a blank face.So they would not suspect anything.

But when I stepped inside,I saw all of them waiting for me.Caelan.Verra.And my parents.

"What did you do?"My father snapped.

My heart skipped.Maybe they had caught onto my plans.

"What are you talking about?"

"You set it up!"My mom shouted."The kidnapping!Just to get attention!"

I breathed out slowly.It was just another one of Verra's tricks.

"You even endangered Verra!"My father continued."Do you know how weak she is?"

Weak?I almost laughed.

"How do you even know I did what you are accusing me of?"I asked.

Caelan stepped forward.His eyes were cold.

"The kidnappers were caught.They confessed that you hired them,"he said.

Verra stumbled forward."Please,sister.Spare me."

"This is your last warning,"Caelan said coldly."Behave yourself.Or I will make you regret it."

Then he put Verra's pup in my arms.

"Take care of him.Make yourself useful.We are going out.We will be back soon."

With those words,they all walked out.They left me alone with the pup.

I looked down at the pup.He was warm.Breathing softly.He was alive.

My arms tightened.My chest burned as the pup made small noises.

My pup was not alive.Because this pup's mother had mine killed.

My vision blurred.I pressed my lips together,trying to stop it.

But the tears came anyway.Soon the pup started crying with me.

"I am sorry,"I whispered.Sobbing."It is not your fault.You are just an innocent pup.You did not ask for any of this."

I calmed myself and the pup down.

Then my moonstone glowed.An announcement came through.

It was from Verra.She sent an image.Her and Caelan watching the northern lights.Her head leaned against his shoulder.

The announcement said:"Ten years.And he has never missed bringing me here.Thank you,my mate."

Ten years?

My fingers tightened.A terrible truth dawned on me.

Eight years ago,my father brought Verra to our pack.He raised her beside me.

But even before then,Caelan had always disappeared on this very day every year.He said he had to learn the pack business.

My breath caught.

So it was not recent.It was not a mistake.He had been with her all along.From the very beginning.

For eight years,while I thought she was my sister,she was taking my mate.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

It was clear now.It had always been Verra.

Later that night,I was trying to rest.

Then I heard doors pushed open.Verra's terrified voice.

"Something is wrong!The pup…the pup is not breathing!"

Everything moved fast after that.

Caelan rushed to my room with Verra and the pup.

"What did you do?"he shouted.

"I did nothing…"

"You were the only one here with him when we went out!"he snapped.

"I would never…"

"Confess!"he roared."You have always been jealous because your pup died and hers survived."

I stared at him.My chest tightened at his words.

"So this is what you think of me.You think I am capable of this?"

Verra started crying."Please,sister.Hurt me.But spare my pup."

I scoffed."I am not like you,Verra.I would never hurt an innocent pup."

Caelan's face was red with anger.He glared at me.

"Enough of your cruelty.I warned you to behave.Maybe a few nights in the dungeon will teach you a lesson.Pray nothing happens to my son."

He called the pack guards.They put iron chains on my wrists.They took me to the dungeon.

Even as I screamed that I was innocent,he ignored me.

The cell was cold and damp.I curled up in a ball and tried to sleep.Then I heard a noise,everything happened fast.

Three female wolves broke into my cage.They beat me.Until I could not cry out anymore.

Then one of them pulled out a sliver blade.The sharp end glinted in the dark.She grinned at me.

"Verra paid us to kill you.She must really dislike you'’.

Before I could speak,the blade went into me.

I let out a scream.My body jerked.Warm blood spread beneath me.

Heavy footsteps and voices sounded around me.But everything blurred.

My eyes wanted to close.

I was rushed to the healers den.

The healers kept yelling that I should not close my eyes.

I drifted in and out.But I heard bits of conversation.

Caelan was shouting."All healers should attend to my son."

"But Alpha,"one healer said."A prisoner was stabbed.She is badly hurt.She could die."

"What is a prisoner's life compared to my son?"Caelan said coldly."Save my son.The prisoner's life is worthless."

Even now.He still chose to save Verra and her pup.He tossed me aside again.

I was left to bleed.

One healer felt sorry for me.She bandaged my wound with herbs and cloth.

My vision blurred.I reached for my protection stone.

"Uncle Aldric…"

My voice was barely a whisper.

"Come get me…"

By the time the door burst open,I was fading.

Uncle Aldric stood there.His guards filled the room.

"Selene!"he shouted."Stay with me!"

He lifted me gently.

I forced my eyes open.I grabbed his hand.

"I do not care anymore,"I whispered."Release everything.I want them ruined."

The last thing I saw was Uncle Aldric nodding.

Then darkness