Selenes POV
The moment the Bloodlink with my father—Alpha Redfang—faded,I yanked an old leather pack from the wardrobe and began stuffing it with what little I still called mine.My hands trembled,but I forced them to move.
If I stopped,the grief would crush me.
Tunics,cloaks,weapons—anything useful went inside.Then my fingers brushed a soft white gown.Jasmine’s favorite.
“Mommy,you look like a Moon Princess,”she had said.
My throat tightened.I folded it gently,tucked it at the bottom,and swallowed my tears.Not now.Not yet.
The door creaked open behind me.
“Selene?”
Lucians voice.
I turned,masking my fury with a brittle smile.“Just cleaning the wardrobe.”
His golden eyes scanned the room,sharp,suspicious.He opened his mouth—but another voice followed him in.
“Hey,Selene.”
My blood went cold.Maris.
She stepped in behind him,her scent filling the space—my daughter’s scent.My wolf bristled,fangs pressing against my gums.I wanted to leap,to tear the stolen heart from her chest.But I forced myself still.Not here.Not yet.
Then I noticed the two travel trunks behind Lucian.My stomach twisted.
“What’s that?”
He smiled like a man doing me a favor.
“Maris will be staying here for a while.”
I blinked slowly.“What?”
Before he could explain,Mariss laugh rang out,airy and sweet.
“Didn’t you hear?I’m pregnant.”
She cradled her stomach like a fragile treasure,waiting for my gasp,my blessing.
Instead,I raised an eyebrow.“And?”
Her smile faltered.She tried again,softer this time.
“I thought you’d be happy for me…after everything we’ve been through.”
Happy?
The word clawed through my chest like a blade.
Before I could answer,Lucian snapped,“Selene,what’s wrong with you?She’s your closest friend.You should be happy for her,not act jealous and bitter.”
Jealous.Bitter.
I turned to him slowly,letting the cold in my voice cut the air.
“Jealous?Why on earth would I be jealous?”
He hesitated,then muttered,“Because she’s carrying a pup—and you—”
He stopped,but it was too late.The words were silver-tipped arrows straight to my heart.
Because I lost mine.Because he killed mine.
I inhaled sharply through my nose,forcing calm.
“Then tell me,Lucian,”I said quietly,pointing toward Maris,“why does she suddenly need to stay in my den?”
He stepped closer,trying to sound righteous.
“Because she shouldn’t be alone right now.She needs us—our protection,our support.That pup needs stability.”
“Us?”I repeated.
Maris nodded quickly,lowering her lashes.
“It’s just until things settle.I thought you,of all wolves,would understand.”
“She’s pack,”Lucian said firmly.“She’s family.”
I laughed bitterly.
“She’s not my pack.”
Maris flinched;Lucians expression hardened.
“Why are you so petty,Selene?You sound pathetic.”
Pathetic.
The word rang in my skull like a whip crack.
I tilted my head,lips curling into a half-smile.
“Then tell me,Alpha,”I murmured,“is it your pup?”
The room went dead quiet.
Maris froze.Lucians jaw flexed,his eyes flashing gold.
“Don’t be ridiculous,”he snarled.“Of course not.”
“Really?”I asked softly.“Then why are you defending her like she’s your Luna?”
He bared his teeth.
“Because she’s alone,Selene!What kind of monster would turn away a pregnant she-wolf?”
A monster who killed his own pup,I thought.
But I didn’t say it.
Instead,I turned back to my pack and zipped it shut with deliberate calm.
“Now,if you’ll excuse me,”I said flatly,“I’d like to finish cleaning my den.”
Lucian muttered something to Maris,and together they left.
The moment the door closed,my smile fell.My hands shook so violently the bag’s strap nearly tore.
My wolf’s voice rose inside me,low and vicious:
He took our child.He brought her killer into our den.The Moon will demand blood.
And this time,I didn’t silence her.
