Chapter 14 Chapter 14
The wolves raced through the forest, a blur of silvery shadows beneath the glowing moon. Rael ran beside Cedric and the others, the wind whipping through his white fur, the fresh scent of the woods alive in his heightened senses. They leapt over fallen logs, crossed cold rivers, celebrating the freedom and strength of their kind. There was no thought — only instinct, only the wild joy of running under the full moon.
After some time, they stopped on a hill overlooking the endless stretch of Ravenshade Forest. Cedric, in his wolf form, approached Rael and bowed his head — a gesture of recognition and acceptance. Rael felt the weight of the moment and lowered his head in return, acknowledging Cedric not only as his leader, but as an equal.
Hours later, when the celebration ended, the pack returned to the clearing. Cedric shifted back into human form, followed by the others — Rael among them. The night had been intense, a memory that would linger in Rael’s mind for a long time.
— You’re one of us now — Cedric said, his tone steady but warm. — A wolf among wolves. I hope you’ll continue to join us, Rael.
Rael nodded. — It would be an honor.
A final chorus of howls rose to the moon, echoing across the forest. Rael stood for a moment in the clearing, watching the others fade into the trees, each returning to their lives in the city. For the first time in years, he felt something he hadn’t known he was missing — belonging.
As he walked back to the hotel, his thoughts drifted to Selene. Things between them were becoming complicated. The call of the moon and the pack was strong — but her pull on him was even stronger, a mystery he couldn’t ignore.
When he reached his room, he collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion washing over him. The night had been a test, and he had passed. Now, he could rest — until tomorrow, when he would see Selene again and face whatever awaited them both.
Selene woke the next morning, her mind still tangled from the whirlwind of recent days. She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, thoughts of Rael, the clan meeting, and Diana’s warnings flooding her mind. Everything seemed more complicated than ever — yet there was an undeniable thrill in the danger that made her heart race.
She finally got up and took a quick shower, applying the potion Diana had given her — the one meant to mask any trace of wolf scent that might cling to her. Then she dressed for college, choosing something casual that contrasted sharply with her restless mood.
At the campus, she met Annalise — her best friend, the one person who tried to understand her. They sat together in the cafeteria, but it didn’t take long for Annalise to notice Selene’s distant expression.
— Okay, what’s going on? — Annalise asked, folding her arms, her tone teasing but curious. — You’ve been acting strange lately.
Selene shrugged, trying to play it off. — Nothing much. Just… family stuff, you know?
Annalise arched a brow. — Right. And since when does “family stuff” make you look this lost?
Selene laughed nervously, searching for a reply — but before she could, a shiver ran down her spine. She turned toward the entrance and froze.
Rael had just walked onto campus.
Conversations hushed as heads turned. There was something magnetic about his presence — a mix of confidence and quiet danger. Selene’s pulse quickened as he crossed the courtyard toward her.
Annalise smirked. — So it’s him, huh? The mysterious guy?
Selene didn’t answer. Rael stopped in front of them, offering Annalise a polite nod before turning his gaze fully on Selene.
— Ready to get out of here? — he asked, voice low, steady, and impossible to ignore.
Selene stood, feeling every pair of eyes on them. Around the courtyard, a few members of Cedric’s pack — also students — noticed Rael’s presence and greeted him with a silent nod. He returned it, the brief exchange not lost on Selene.
— You really like making an entrance, don’t you? — she said, trying to sound casual as they walked toward the exit.
Rael shrugged. — I just came to pick you up. Is that a problem?
She couldn’t help but smile. His charm was effortless — dangerous in its ease. When they reached the gate, she saw his motorcycle parked nearby, gleaming under the sunlight. Rael mounted it and handed her a helmet — the same one from last time.
Selene hesitated, aware of the eyes still watching, then sighed and took it. She slipped it on, climbed behind him, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
The engine roared to life. With a twist of the throttle, the world blurred. The wind tore through their hair as the campus disappeared behind them. Selene glanced back once, catching the stunned faces of her classmates, then turned forward and smiled.
Freedom.
They rode through the open road, the air alive with energy. Neither spoke, yet everything that mattered was said in silence — in the closeness of their bodies, in the rhythm of their breaths, in the way their hearts seemed to beat in sync.
For the first time in a long while, Selene felt alive — not trapped by fear, not bound by duty. Just free.
And as the road stretched before them, one truth settled in her heart:
even with all the chaos, all the danger, being with Rael was the only thing that made sense.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.