CHAPTER TWO
SELENE`S POV
“How ungrateful are you Selene?" I read for the second time.
It was from Ethan Duskbane- The mate I rejected.
The only one who had saved me and never saw me as a rogue when others did.
He chased me for six full seasons. I nearly chose Ethan years ago……..I thought Julian was the best option for me when the Moon Goddess let me choose between both.
Immediately, his call came in, my jaw dropped, I never expected I would get to speak with him again after betraying him four years ago.
I could have rejected the mate bond with Julian to be with him, but I didn`t, he was too powerful and feared by all.
I lowered my face, expecting silence, for four years I had declined his calls and blocked him on all socials.
“Selene?” His tone was low. Dangerous.
“I have saved you Twice, firstly from the evil spell of your foster parents, secondly from the rogues, yet you haven`t thanked me for any”.
Hearing that, my face fell, the lone wolf who saved me was Ethan.
“You were masked,” I quickly snapped.
“I wasn`t masked when you chose Julian, he snapped, now look at you, your Alpha can`t save you. He would have preferred you get eaten by those rogues.”
“Enough Ethan” I yelled.
“You don`t have to defend him anymore Selene, Once the Moon rises, I will take you away from him.”
I stayed silent, no words came, my voice filled with guilt at the moment.
“Ethan is right, Julian preferred I was being eaten by the rogues.”
He spoke cutting through the silence
“Four Six full seasons, you iced me out like I never existed. While you pined after Julian like a lost pup, I stood in the shadows and waited. And now, after four years, just like that,I would have heard you were dead, if I wasn`t right on time to save you?”
“I`m sorry. Forget I did anything. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“You have until the Severing moon,” he snapped.
“End it with him. Or I`ll come take what was mine from the beginning”.
Immediately, he ended the call.
I sighed deeply.
Ethan meant every single word he said.
Feared and respected by everyone he is the only one that would replace Julian`s bond.
My lips curved into a warm smile “Ethan will replace Julian's bond perfectly”.
That night, Julian didn’t return to the den.
I waited the next day, just like always and he still didn`t return.
I spent hours in silence, clearing drawers, folding old cloaks, stripping luna emblems from my armors.
I pulled out the neatly folded cloth pouch, which contained the jade necklace Julian gave me in our first year of marriage. Then I felt so loved that I jumped in his arms.
“Close your eyes,”Julian had said. I was still tired from training, dirt smudging my cheeks.
I obeyed,and when I opened them, the jade pendant hung around my neck.
“It belonged to my grandmother,” he said, his voice soft and tender. “Now it`s yours. My luna”
I had worn it every time he rode off into battle and everytime, I prayed to the Moon Goddess to bring him back safely. Now the jade pendant meant nothing to me as he chose his beta over me.
Next, I pulled out a sack of folded notes, each tied with a ribbon. My fingers brushed over the paper. Letters I had written and sent to Julian through pack messenger whenever he was away, every word filled with love and hope.
I unfolded the topmost one, my eyes fell as I carefully read through again.
My Dearest Julian
I hope the meeting ends soon. I want to hear your voice again. I miss you.
Your Luna Always.
Selene.
He never replied. Not even once.
Still I kept writing. Every single time he was away.
Hot tears pinched the corners of my eyes as I placed them gently back into the drawer, this time I pulled out one of the letters and placed it on top of the drawer.
“If he didn't get to read the previous ones at least this would be visible enough for him to notice” I whispered.
When the sun set, the front door creaked open.
Julian entered, still wearing his previous cloaks.
“I guess the meeting was held for a day and a half,” I said.
But he ignored as he pulled his cloaks and hung on the shelf
“What are you doing?” he asked, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the pile of packed items.
“Just getting rid of some garbage that no longer serves their purpose.”
“You call these… garbage?”
“Old gifts, old clothes,” I said lightly. “They take up space. I thought I’d donate them under your name so some kids in the pack could use them. Might even earn you a good reputation.”
Hearing the last line, Julian`s thin straight lips slightly curved. “Well, you know better.”
Seeing that he believed, I breathed a sigh of relief, I also couldn't be fooled.
Julian didn’t push further. He rarely did anymore.
But what came next cut sharper than any blade.
“I almost forgot,” he said casually, grabbing a waterskin. “We had a council vote last night.”
I paused.
“The Luna patrol grounds the southern ridge? I reassigned it.”
I turned. My face filled with desperate answers “To who?”
“Aria”
He said it without flinching.
“She’ll be leading all female guard rotations. Starting today.”
I blinked slowly.
That ridge wasn’t just any terrain. It was sacred and marked, the territory where Julian`s mother had once defended the pack alone during the Black Fangs siege. As the present luna, It was mine.
Symbolically, emotionally, soulfully.
“You didn’t consult me,” I said.
Julian shrugged. “You’ve been distracted. I figured you’d appreciate the help.”
My face fell as I stared at him, then smiled softly.
“Of course. I’ve always appreciated your…... decisions.”
