28

The world had never felt this wrong.

Selene stood in the center of the battlefield, her silver eyes wide as the storm raged around her. The First Wolf stood at the edge of the ruins, his presence vast, his power pressing down on the earth like the weight of the heavens themselves.

But all she could see was Alec.

He was there, standing between her and the First Wolf, his golden eyes steady, his breath even despite the impossible force pressing down on him.

Selene’s heart pounded. “Alec—”

He didn’t turn.

Didn’t look at her.

Because he already knew what she would say.

And he had already decided.

The First Wolf tilted his head slightly. “You cannot stop this.”

Alec exhaled slowly. “You always did talk too much.”

The First Wolf’s silver gaze flickered with something like amusement. “And you always did fight battles you couldn’t win.”

Alec’s smirk was brief, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Then, before anyone could move, he shifted.

One second, he was standing still. The next, he was a blur of golden light, his body moving faster than Selene had ever seen, faster than anything should be able to move.

He struck.

The ground shook.

The First Wolf barely flinched as Alec’s attack landed, his claws slicing deep, golden energy flashing like lightning.

But then—

The First Wolf simply laughed.

Alec gritted his teeth, twisting sharply, landing another blow. Then another.

But it wasn’t enough.

The First Wolf’s power swelled, rippling outward, and with a single effortless movement—

He struck.

Alec flew back, his body slamming into the stone ruins with a sickening crack.

Selene’s breath vanished.

She ran.

She didn’t think. Didn’t hesitate.

Her hands were already reaching for him before she even registered the distance between them.

Alec coughed, blood slipping from his lips, but his golden eyes were still burning.

Selene dropped to her knees beside him, her fingers pressing against his chest, against the wound that hadn’t been there seconds ago.

No.

No, no, no.

She wasn’t losing him again.

She pressed harder, her magic flickering, trying to knit the wound together, trying to hold him together.

But the power was slipping through her grasp.

Alec let out a soft breath. “Selene.”

She shook her head. “Don’t.”

His golden gaze softened. “It’s okay.”

Her chest cracked open. “No, it’s not.”

Kael and Lucian appeared beside them, their expressions stricken, their eyes dark with grief and fury.

Kael dropped to his knees, his jaw clenched. “This isn’t happening.”

Lucian exhaled sharply, his emerald eyes unreadable. “Alec, don’t do this.”

But Alec smiled.

That infuriating, reckless, stupid smile.

And Selene knew.

She knew exactly what he had done.

What he had given up.

Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “You don’t get to do this.”

Alec’s fingers brushed against her cheek, his touch warm, grounding. “You always said I was a terrible listener.”

Selene let out a broken breath. “You always come back to me.”

Alec exhaled. “And I always will.”

Selene swallowed hard, shaking her head. “Then don’t go.”

Alec’s golden eyes softened. “I don’t have a choice.”

The First Wolf stepped forward, his gaze unreadable. “He does.”

Selene turned sharply, her silver eyes blazing. “You don’t get to speak.”

The First Wolf watched her. “I didn’t do this.”

Selene shook. “No.” Her voice cracked. “He did.”

Alec let out a weak chuckle. “Yeah. That sounds about right.”

Kael growled, his storm-gray eyes burning with barely contained fury. “What the hell did you do?”

Alec sighed, shifting slightly, his breath shaky.

Then—

He looked at Selene.

And only her.

“I gave it back.”

Selene’s heart stopped.

“What?”

Alec’s golden gaze held hers, unwavering.

“You lost your power.” His voice was softer now, slower. “The gods took it. The world took it.” He inhaled shakily. “So I gave it back.”

Selene froze.

Because she could feel it now.

The power inside her.

The connection that had been severed was now whole again.

Alec had given it back to her.

At a cost.

At a devastating cost.

Selene’s voice broke. “No.”

Alec’s fingers curled around hers. “You’re gonna win this, Selene.”

Her vision blurred. “Not without you.”

Alec let out a weak chuckle. “You don’t need me.”

Selene let out a shaking breath. “Yes, I do.”

Alec exhaled slowly. “Then come find me.”

Selene’s throat closed.

Because she knew what he meant.

His body was fading, golden light flickering along the edges of his form.

Lucian clenched his jaw. “Alec—”

Kael let out a choked sound, turning away, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Selene grabbed Alec’s hand, holding onto him as hard as she could.

But it wasn’t enough.

He was slipping through her fingers.

Selene’s voice was desperate, shattered. “Please.”

Alec smiled.

And then—

He was gone.

Light flashed, golden and blinding.

Then—

Nothing.

Selene’s breath vanished.

The world was silent.

Kael whispered, “No.”

Lucian stood frozen, his emerald eyes dark with grief.

And Selene—

Selene shattered.