Chapter#51

Chapter#51
Selene’s POV

We’d been pushing hard for more than a day to return to Ironfang. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of blood and ash, and Rowan called for a halt. “We should all get some rest,” he gruffed. “Maybe stay the night here.”

“We should keep moving to reach the academy soon.” Liam interrupted, “And besides, this place isn’t safe to rest for the night.”

I was tired. I needed to sleep. 

“Rowan’s right,” I addressed the group, ignoring Liam, “We should get some good rest. We’re all tired and hungry.” My eyes caught a glimpse of a cave, not too far from where we were. “We can stay the night there.” I pointed in its direction, and everyone turned their heads to see it. “In that cave.”

My eyes met Liam’s, who was already staring at me. I felt his stare pinching me. 

What’s his deal?

We all walked toward the cave. Its mouth was a dark, yawning abyss framed by teeth-like stalactites. Inside, it was very cold.

We piled inside, and everyone dropped their packs, while Rowan set to work building a fire. The flames sputtered to life, casting a weak glow that flickered across the cave’s slick walls.

I stood apart with my arms crossed and my boots scuffing the dirt as I paced. My wolf snarled beneath my skin. Liam sat by the fire. He hadn’t spoken to me since the rooftop, and the silence between us was a blade. I had to know why he did what he did.

Frustration churned in my gut, which was a storm I couldn’t quell. And every time I looked at Liam, it gave fuel to my anger.

He was my mate. The man who’d sworn himself to me, who’d begged me to forgive him. And now he’d completely shut me down. 

Was there any love? Or was it just lust from the beginning? 

My hands balled into fists, nails biting my palms, and I caught Rowan’s gaze. “I’m fine,” I snapped. He didn’t press, just nodded and turned back to the fire.

I needed something… anything to quiet the chaos in my head. Dropping to my knees, I yanked open my pack, shoving aside torn cloth and a dented canteen. 

My fingers brushed something smooth and cool. It was a glass vial. Vitamins. I froze as I took them out of my bag.

I shot to my feet as my eyes darted around the cave. Where are you?

“Rowan,” I bent down to face him, and uttered high enough for only him to hear me, “I need a minute.”

He glanced up, and his mouth opened to say something, but I didn’t wait for a response. I stormed out of the cave. 

It was nighttime, and we were somewhere in between the Murkroot Veil, so naturally, the air was too cold. The moon hung low, showering its silver light through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. 

“Liam?” I called out, but got no response.

I trusted my wolf to guide me and then realised I had come a long way from the cave. I shook my head and let out a long breath, sighing.

“What are you doing, Selene?” I muttered under my breath. I glanced at the bottle of vitamins in my hand. “Why did you do this to me, Liam? Why?”

And then, my eyes caught a glimpse of a shadow. I focused my vision and took a few steps closer to it, then realised it was Liam, leaning against a gnarled oak. His head was bowed, and his hands were braced against the bark. Looking at him only ignited the fury I’d been holding back.

I marched toward him. He looked up, startled. “Kaelen…” he started, but I cut him off, shoving the vitamins against his chest.

“You thought these would make me want you?” The words spilled out, “I don’t need your pity.”

Liam flinched, his hands catching the vial as it slipped. “What?” His voice cracked, “Kaelen, I… I never gave you these. I didn’t even know you had them.”

I blinked, resting my hands across my waist. “What?” I raised an eyebrow, “But… you came to my room every night to…”

“Must’ve been your other lover…” Liam interrupted me. His tone was filled with sarcasm, “Because clearly, I’m just the idiot who brings you flowers and gets crushed for it.”

He grabbed my hand and placed the bottle against my palm. 

“So what?” I clutched the bottle in my hand and stepped closer, “You think that excuses you?”

His eyes met mine as he crossed his arms and spoke, “Excuses me from what, actually?”

“You used me, Liam!” I stepped even closer, as my finger jabbed his chest. I cried out, “You broke my trust… shattered it, and for what?”

“Your trust?” Liam let out a frustrated sigh. “Go back to the cave, Kaelen, and let me be.”

“My body?” The words escaped my lips as a tear rolled down my cheek, “That was all you ever wanted…”

His face crumpled. “Your body?” He laughed harshly, which echoed through the trees. “What is your body to me, Kaelen, when your heart screams for another?” His voice cracked, “You moaned his name. You moaned his name when I was deep inside you.”

The words hit like a blow, knocking the air from my lungs. I staggered back. My wolf howled inside me, telling me whatever Liam was saying was the truth. 

I do want Varian. My wolf has always wanted him more. But Liam… 

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head, “That’s not… true.”

“Is it not?” Liam grabbed my arm and hissed, “Look at me and tell me even when I held you, it wasn’t him you wanted!”

I looked up to face him. Tears rolled down my face. I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to tell him I loved him, I knew I loved him, but the words caught somewhere in my throat.

“It’s the truth. You love him. And I…” He swallowed hard, taking a step back, “Do you know the stories of the fool who told everyone that the moon gets its light from the sun? I’m that fool.”

The silence between us stretched. 

Without thinking, I reached for his hand. “Liam…” I whispered as tears streaked down my cheeks. “I’m sorry.” My voice cracked like thin glass. “I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t even realize…”

He didn’t pull away. Not immediately. His fingers stayed curled in mine, and for a moment, just one fragile heartbeat of a moment, I saw his anger fade. His shoulders slumped. His eyes softened. His thumb brushed across the back of my hand like he might hold on.

He leaned in. I did too. Our lips were almost touching when suddenly, he tensed again. He pulled his hand from mine, stepping back like he’d touched a flame.

“Don’t,” he said quietly.

I blinked, stunned.

“Don’t give me hope, Kaelen. Not when your heart has already chosen another wolf.” He looked away and turned toward the tree. “Go back to the cave.”

I hesitated. My feet didn’t want to move. My heart screamed to stay. But I nodded. “Okay.”

I wiped the tears from my face and turned around to walk back when his voice sliced through my ears. 

“When we reach the academy, I don’t want to see you near me again.”

I stopped but didn’t turn around to face him. I didn’t know if I was guilty or heartbroken or angry. I couldn’t put my finger on what I felt in that moment.

And right then, I made my decision. If he didn’t want me, if I was already too far gone, then I’d do what my wolf wanted. I’d let Varian claim me the moment I stepped into the academy. Let him take what my wolf already wanted. And maybe, it would silence this hollow in my chest.