67

The warmth of Kieran’s fingers against hers sent a shock through Selene’s system.

She should have pulled away.

She needed to pull away.

But for a fleeting second, she allowed herself to feel it—the dangerous heat between them, the echo of what they once were.

Kieran’s breath hitched, his thumb grazing her knuckles as if testing a boundary neither of them should cross.

His voice was low, rough. “Tell me you feel nothing.”

Selene’s heart pounded.

She wanted to lie. She needed to lie.

But the words wouldn’t come.

Her silence was all the answer he needed.

Kieran’s fingers tightened around hers, his grip both desperate and restrained. His blue eyes searched hers, pleading for something she couldn’t give.

And just when the air between them grew too thick, too heavy—

A sharp voice cut through the moment.

“Step away from her, Bloodmoon.”

Selene jerked back as if burned.

Lucian.

He stood at the edge of the clearing, his golden eyes burning with barely concealed rage. Behind him, Darkfang warriors had their hands on their weapons, ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

Kieran’s expression darkened, but he didn’t release her immediately.

“Selene,” he murmured, as if waiting for her to choose.

But there was no choice to be made.

Selene took a step back.

She had to.

Kieran’s jaw clenched, but he let her go, his hands falling to his sides.

Lucian stepped between them, his presence an unspoken warning. “You shouldn’t be here, Kieran.”

Kieran didn’t even glance at him. His focus remained on Selene.

“We’re not done.”

Selene exhaled shakily, forcing herself to find her voice. “Yes, we are.”

A muscle ticked in Kieran’s jaw.

Lucian took another step forward, his posture unwavering. “Leave. Now.”

For a long, agonizing moment, Kieran didn’t move.

Then, with one last look at Selene—**a look that made her stomach twist painfully—**he turned on his heel and walked away.

Selene didn’t watch him go.

She couldn’t.

The walk back to Darkfang’s stronghold was suffocating.

Lucian didn’t speak, but his presence was heavy.

When they entered the war room, he finally turned to face her.

“What the hell was that?”

Selene’s throat tightened. “It was nothing.”

Lucian’s golden eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me.”

Selene exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “It doesn’t matter, Lucian.”

“It does.” His voice was quieter now, but no less sharp. “I need to know where you stand, Selene. Because what I saw back there?” His jaw tensed. “That wasn’t nothing.”

Selene’s hands curled into fists. “I told him to leave, didn’t I?”

Lucian studied her, as if searching for cracks in her resolve.

“Do you still love him?”

Her breath caught.

Lucian didn’t look away. He didn’t let her escape the weight of the question.

Selene forced herself to meet his gaze.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Lucian’s expression darkened. “That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only answer you’re getting.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he didn’t press her further.

Instead, he exhaled sharply and turned toward the door.

“Just be careful, Selene.” His voice was quieter now, almost reluctant. “Kieran might regret the past, but that doesn’t mean he won’t destroy you all over again.”

And then he was gone.

The next few days passed in a blur.

Selene buried herself in work, focusing on her duties as Beta.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the memory of Kieran’s touch.

Of his voice.

"Tell me you feel nothing."

She hadn’t said a damn word.

And that silence haunted her.

Elias found her late that night, sitting outside the training grounds.

“You look like hell,” he observed, dropping onto the bench beside her.

Selene let out a humorless laugh. “Thanks.”

Elias leaned back, watching her. “Lucian told me what happened.”

Selene tensed but didn’t respond.

Elias exhaled. “Do you want my opinion?”

“No.”

He ignored her. “You’re playing with fire, Selene.”

She turned her head, glaring. “I didn’t ask for this.”

Elias held her gaze. “Maybe not. But you didn’t walk away fast enough, either.”

Selene clenched her fists. “I did what I had to do.”

Elias studied her for a long moment, then sighed.

“You think you’ve buried it, but you haven’t,” he murmured. “And Kieran knows it.”

Selene looked away.

Elias shook his head. “I just hope you figure it out before it’s too late.”

Selene didn’t sleep that night.

Because deep down, she knew Elias was right.

She hadn’t buried anything.

She was still bleeding.

And Kieran?

He knew.

He always knew.

And that terrified her more than anything.