65

The silence in the Darkfang war room was deafening. Selene stood rigid, staring at the maps spread across the massive wooden table. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows against the stone walls, giving the space a foreboding air that mirrored the weight pressing against her chest.

Lucian sat at the head of the table, fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood. His golden eyes studied her, his expression unreadable. “They’re moving closer,” he murmured.

Elias, Darkfang’s most trusted warrior, leaned forward, eyes dark with concern. “Scouts report that Bloodmoon’s numbers are swelling. Kieran’s forces have grown by at least thirty percent in the last few weeks. He’s gathering allies.”

Selene tightened her grip on the table’s edge. She wasn’t surprised. Kieran had always been strategic, meticulous in his planning. He wouldn’t just wait for Darkfang to strike—he would be preparing for war.

“Then we adjust,” she said firmly, lifting her gaze to the warriors surrounding her. “If Bloodmoon is growing stronger, so must we.”

Lucian exhaled slowly, studying her. “You sound so certain.”

Selene met his gaze without hesitation. “Because I am.”

Lucian leaned back, arms crossing over his chest. “And what if I told you that this isn’t just about power? What if Kieran isn’t the one pulling the strings?”

Selene’s stomach clenched. “What are you saying?”

Elias exchanged a wary glance with Lucian before answering. “We intercepted a message meant for one of Bloodmoon’s elders. It mentioned an outside force backing them.”

Selene frowned. “What kind of outside force?”

Lucian’s lips pressed into a thin line. “A rogue faction.”

The words settled heavily between them. The room went still, the tension crackling like a live wire.

“Rogues?” Selene repeated.

Elias nodded. “Not just any rogues. These are trained, organized. Someone is leading them.”

A slow chill crawled up Selene’s spine. “Who?”

Lucian’s eyes darkened. “That’s what we don’t know yet.”

Selene inhaled sharply, her mind racing. This changed everything. If Bloodmoon had outside reinforcements, it meant this war wasn’t just between two packs—it was something much bigger, something far more dangerous.

“They want to break us before the war even begins,” Elias murmured. “They want to see us fall from the inside.”

Selene’s hands curled into fists. She wouldn’t let that happen.

Lucian was still watching her, his expression carefully blank. “You have a choice to make, Selene.”

Her jaw tightened. “I’ve already made it.”

Lucian’s gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through his expression. “Have you?”

She straightened. “I fight for Darkfang.”

Lucian studied her, his golden eyes narrowing. “And what about Kieran?”

A sharp pang shot through her chest, but she forced herself to stay composed. “He made his choice,” she said, voice like steel. “And I’ve made mine.”

Lucian didn’t look convinced.

Before he could press further, the door burst open. A young scout rushed in, panting heavily. “Alpha,” he gasped. “We have a problem.”

Lucian’s expression hardened. “What is it?”

The scout swallowed, glancing at Selene before answering. “Kieran’s crossed into Darkfang territory.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Selene’s heart lurched. No. He wouldn’t.

Lucian’s face darkened. “How many men?”

The scout hesitated. “He’s alone.”

Selene’s breath caught. Alone?

Lucian’s expression was unreadable as he slowly turned toward her. “Looks like your past isn’t quite finished with you yet.”

The night air was thick with tension as Selene stepped into the clearing. The moon hung high above, bathing the land in a silver glow. The Darkfang warriors stood at a distance, their presence a silent warning.

And there, standing in the center of it all, was Kieran.

His dark hair was tousled from the wind, his shoulders tense beneath the weight of his presence. His sharp blue eyes locked onto hers the moment she appeared.

Selene’s breath hitched.

He looked different.

The Kieran she remembered was always in control, always composed. But now… he looked raw. Frayed at the edges.

But she couldn’t let herself feel. Not now. Not ever.

She forced herself forward, her boots crunching against the earth. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Kieran didn’t move. “I needed to see you.”

Her throat tightened. “Why?”

He exhaled, his gaze never leaving hers. “Because I can’t stay away anymore.”

The words sent a jolt through her chest. She clenched her fists. “That’s not my problem.”

Something flashed in his eyes—something dangerous. “Isn’t it?”

Selene’s pulse pounded. “You’re the Alpha of Bloodmoon. And I’m Darkfang’s Luna. We’re enemies now, Kieran.”

His jaw tightened. “Is that really what you believe?”

She hesitated. Just for a moment.

But it was enough.

Kieran stepped closer. “Selene.”

She stiffened. “Don’t.”

He didn’t listen. “Do you honestly think I wanted any of this?” His voice was rough, pained. “Do you think I wanted to reject you?”

Something inside her cracked, but she forced herself to stay strong. “It doesn’t matter what you wanted.”

His gaze darkened. “It matters to me.”

She swallowed hard. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to be here, wasn’t supposed to look at her like she was still his.

“I don’t care anymore, Kieran.” The words tasted like a lie on her tongue.

Kieran’s expression twisted. “You really expect me to believe that?”

Selene forced herself to meet his gaze. “Yes.”

He studied her for a long moment, his chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths. And then, softly—**too softly—**he whispered, “You’re lying.”

Selene’s heart slammed against her ribs.

She turned sharply. “Go back to Bloodmoon.”

But before she could walk away, his hand wrapped around her wrist. Not forcefully. Just enough to make her stop.

The warmth of his touch burned through her skin.

Kieran’s voice was rough when he spoke. “Do you feel nothing?”

She squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t break. Don’t break.

“Tell me, Selene.” His voice was softer now. Almost pleading. “Tell me you feel nothing and I’ll leave.”

Her breath hitched.

Because she couldn’t.

She could never say those words.

The silence stretched between them, heavy and unyielding.

Kieran exhaled, his grip loosening. “That’s what I thought.”

Selene yanked her arm free, stepping back. “This changes nothing.”

Kieran’s lips twisted into something bitter. “We’ll see.”

She turned, walking away before he could say anything else.

And with every step she took, she felt the weight of his gaze on her back—as if he was watching the one thing he was never supposed to lose.

But it was already too late.

Because they were both too far gone.