Chapter 118
Elowen's POV
My eyes locked on Selene. Her silver hair moved like water in a breeze that didn't exist. Those pale gold eyes watched me, patient and ancient.
I took a deep breath. My chest hurt. My hands shook.
"I want Alpha Austin alive," I said. My voice echoed in the vast emptiness. "And I want Ethan alive too."
The words hung between us. I waited. My heart pounded so hard I thought Selene must hear it.
She tilted her head. Silver hair fell over her shoulder. "Both of them?"
"Yes." I clenched my fists. My nails dug into my palms. "Both."
Selene's expression didn't change. She stood perfectly still, like a statue. "To bring back two lives requires an enormous price. Even knowing this, you would accept?"
Fear crawled up my spine. Cold. Sharp. But I didn't look away.
"I'll pay it," I said.
"Tell me why." Selene's voice softened just a little. "Explain your reasoning."
I started pacing again. Faster this time. The light moved under my feet like smoke.
"Casper and Cassian need their father," I said. My words came quicker. "They're not ready to lead the entire pack."
Selene listened. She didn't interrupt.
"The pack members need time," I continued. "Time to see that Casper and Cassian have changed. Time to understand that they're good leaders. But right now?" I shook my head. "Right now they're drowning in grief. They can't give the pack what it needs."
"And what of the other one?" Selene asked. "Ethan?"
I stopped pacing. I turned to face her fully.
"If Ethan dies on Thornwood Pack territory, it will start a war," I said. "Starfall Pack will blame us. They'll want revenge. And innocent people will die for something that wasn't their fault."
Selene took a step closer. "So you would save Ethan first? Before Alpha Austin?"
"No." I swallowed hard. "I mean—yes. But—" I pressed my hands against my temples. "I can't choose. That's why I'm asking for both."
"Why not?" Her golden eyes bored into mine. "Why can't you choose?"
My voice cracked. "Because saving Austin helps Casper and Cassian. It helps the pack. But if it means sacrificing an innocent life?" I shook my head hard. "That's not the answer. That's not how things should work."
I felt tears building. Hot. Angry. I blinked them back.
"Drake poisoned everyone at that ball," I said. "He and my mother plotted this. They're the ones who should pay. Not Ethan. Not Austin." My voice rose. "Not the people who did nothing wrong."
Selene studied me for a long moment. Then she nodded slowly.
"I can bring them both back," she said. "But you must make a sacrifice."
"I will." The words came out instantly. No hesitation.
"You don't even know what I'll ask."
"I don't care." I stepped toward her. "Death wasn't their choice. Drake and my mother—Jessica—they made this happen. They planned it. They executed it." My hands clenched into fists again. "I won't let their evil win. I won't let them take away the people I love."
Selene's expression shifted. Something flickered in those golden eyes. Respect? Approval?
"Elowen," she said softly. "Do you understand what you're agreeing to?"
"No." I met her gaze. "But I'm agreeing anyway."
I stood straighter. My body trembled but my voice stayed firm.
"I agree to pay whatever price you ask," I said. "As long as it brings them back. As long as Austin and Ethan live."
The white light around us pulsed. Just once. Like a heartbeat.
Selene smiled. It was a sad smile. A knowing smile.
"Actually," she said, "Ethan is already healing."
I froze. "Really?"
"I needed to know if you truly understood your choice." She moved closer. "Before you make a final decision, you must discuss this with your mates. With Casper and Cassian."
"But—"
"This sacrifice will not only affect you." Her voice turned serious. Hard. "It will impact them as well. Deeply. If, after full consideration, you still wish to save Alpha Austin, I will help you. But only after you've spoken with them."
I wanted to argue. To demand she just do it now. But something in her eyes stopped me.
"Why?" I whispered.
"Because I am not cruel," Selene said. "And because the consequences of this choice will echo through your entire life. You deserve to make it with open eyes."
My legs felt weak. I wanted to sit down but there was nowhere to sit.
"Thank you," I managed. The words felt small. Inadequate.
Selene's smile turned bitter. "Don't thank me yet, child. You will curse my name before the month ends."
Cold fear washed over me. "What do you mean?"
"The path ahead is treacherous." She looked at me with something that might have been pity. "You will face trials that test everything you are. Everything you believe. Everything you love."
My throat closed up. I couldn't speak.
Selene reached out. She didn't touch me, but I felt warmth spread through my chest anyway.
"You asked if I'm happy," she said quietly.
I nodded. I remembered asking that.
"Sometimes," Selene admitted. "When I meet someone like you. Someone who surprises me. It makes the loneliness bearable for a while."
"I always believed in you," I said. My voice came out small. Shy. "I never doubted you existed. I just—" I paused. "I thought you would have golden hair."
Selene laughed. Actually laughed. The sound was like bells. Like music.
"Why would you think that?" she asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. The moon is golden sometimes. When it's full. I just pictured—" I gestured vaguely at her silver hair.
"The moon reflects light," Selene said. "It doesn't create it. Silver suits me better."
We smiled at each other. For just a moment, it felt normal. Like talking to a friend.
Then a door appeared behind me. Made of light. Glowing.
I looked at it, then back at Selene. "If I need to contact you again—"
"I'll be watching you, Elowen." She stepped forward. She raised one hand and pressed it gently to my forehead.
Warmth flooded through me. It started at the point where her finger touched my skin and spread outward. Down my neck. Through my chest. Into my arms and legs. It felt like sunlight. Like hope.
"Don't forget," she whispered. "I am always here."
The warmth settled into a steady pulse. I realized she had left something behind. A mark. A connection.
"Thank you," I said again. This time it felt right. True.
Selene stepped back. "Go now. Your mates are searching for you. They're worried."
I turned toward the glowing door. My hand trembled as I reached for it.
At the threshold, I stopped. I looked back over my shoulder.
Selene stood in the white light. Her silver hair floated around her. Her golden eyes held mine. She looked sad. Ancient. Beautiful. Lonely.
"Selene?" I called.
"Yes?"
"I won't forget," I promised. "What you did for me. What you're doing. I won't forget."
Her smile was small but genuine. "I know you won't."