Chapter 48

Chapter 48
Selene’s POV

“Selene,” a gentle voice whispered in my ear, warm and soft, like the brush of sunlight through clouds after a storm.

My eyelids fluttered open, and for a brief moment, I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or awake. The air around me shimmered faintly, glowing with a silver light that seemed to hum with life. Then my surroundings came into focus, and my breath caught in my throat.

I knew this place.

It was the meadow where Rose and I used to play when we were young. The place where we had built forts from wildflowers, chased each other through the tall grass, and laughed until our sides ached.

Back then, whenever Mother’s scolding became too much, we would run here—into this safe haven that seemed to exist outside of time. It wasn’t part of the human world, nor truly part of the world of our kind. This was the Other World of the werewolves.

A sacred realm, untouched by pain or bloodshed.

Now, it was a place visited only by those who had passed on.

And it was where my mother had gone after she died.

My heart squeezed painfully. Am I dead? My hand instinctively reached toward my chest, half expecting to feel nothing but cold air. “Why am I here? Did I—?”

“No, baby, you’re not dead.” The voice came again, rich with tenderness and power. “You’re still alive—you’re here because I wanted to talk to you.”

I turned toward the sound and felt my throat tighten. My head was resting on the lap of the Moon Goddess—my true mother.

She was just as I remembered. Her long hair flowed like strands of silver spun with moonlight, and her eyes held the kind of warmth that could melt even the deepest sorrow. The soft glow of her skin bathed me in comfort.

I sat up quickly, my breath hitching, and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around her neck. “I’m sorry, Mother… I’m so sorry…” The words broke from me like a dam bursting. Tears blurred my vision as I clung to her. “I failed to protect Rose. I promised you I would always take care of her, that we’d always look after each other… but I couldn’t.”

She held me tightly, her hand stroking my hair, her touch exactly as I remembered—gentle, patient, forgiving.

“Shhh, my baby… there’s nothing to apologize for.” Her voice was a balm to my wounded spirit. “Rose is still alive. But she needs you and your brother now more than ever. She will soon face a great trial, and all you need to do is find her… and stay by her side.”

Her words sank deep into me, stirring both fear and determination.

I remembered the many times she had brought Rose and me here. It didn’t matter how furious our fights had been—once we stepped into this realm, our anger melted away. Within minutes, we would be laughing again, sitting in the grass, sharing berries we’d picked.

Those memories were my anchor now.

“I promise, Mother,” I whispered, my voice trembling but resolute. “I won’t stop searching for Rose. Not until the three of us are together again.”

I tilted my face upward, gazing at the endless twilight sky of the Other World. Stars shimmered there, but they were not like the ones in the human world—they pulsed gently, almost alive. The air was heavy with the perfume of flowers that could not exist anywhere else: sweet, clean, intoxicating. Even the grass beneath us felt different—thick, vibrant, soft enough to cradle you.

“I know you will, Selene.” Mother’s eyes shone with quiet pride. “You are one of my children. And my children never give up.”

A familiar presence stirred within me. We promise, Dawn, my wolf, murmured in my mind, her voice steady and sure.

I smiled at Mother, my tears slowing.

She helped me rise to my feet, her touch lingering as if she wasn’t ready to let go. She hugged me again, pressing a kiss to my forehead before her hand drifted down to rest lightly on my stomach.

“Take care of my grandchildren,” she said, her smile widening with joy.

My breath caught.

Then she leaned forward and blew a gentle breath toward me. It wrapped around me like a warm wind, and suddenly I was drifting backward, the meadow fading as if pulled away by unseen hands.

“I love you forever, my daughter,” she called as her figure grew smaller in the distance. “Tell your siblings that for me—once again.”

I wanted to answer, but the current of this realm was carrying me away too quickly.

As I floated farther, I glimpsed other familiar faces—people from our past, from the days when Rose and I had been young and lost. The ones who had taken us in, given us shelter, taught us how to survive in a world that could be both beautiful and cruel.

They had been our parents in the human world. They smiled at me now, waving, and I mouthed “thank you” with all the love in my heart before the vision vanished completely.

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When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my own bed. The familiar scent of the pack house surrounded me. Relief poured through me in a wave.

Rose was still alive. And if she was alive, then I would find her.

Slowly, I sat up, adjusting my blanket and scanning the room. Dwight’s scent was faint—he must be downstairs, likely checking on things or giving orders.

But my mind wasn’t on Dwight.

It was on Mother’s last words.

Take care of my grandchildren.

The meaning struck me fully now. My lips parted in shock before curving into an incredulous smile. Could it be…?

My hand pressed to my stomach. I could feel it—not with my body, but with my soul. Twins.

Mother was right. My pups were twins.

A soft laugh escaped me, almost giddy, but I quickly covered my mouth. Everyone else was still resting, and I didn’t want to wake them. This would be my secret—for now. I would tell no one until they were born.

I let myself imagine it: two tiny, beautiful pups running down the halls of the pack house, their laughter echoing in the air. I pictured Dwight trying to look stern while secretly spoiling them, the pack members doting on them, the safety of knowing Logan was gone and the threats had diminished.

For the first time in so long, my heart felt truly light.

But my joy wasn’t complete—not yet.

Not until I could see my sister again.

I would make sure she was there to meet my children. I wanted them to know their Aunt Rose, to feel her love the way I had all my life. And I knew, deep down, she would love them as fiercely as she had always loved me.

She would adore them… the same way she had once adored Darren.

And so I made another promise that night—one as strong as the one I had made to my mother.

I would find Rose. No matter the cost. No matter how far I had to go.

Even if it took days. Even if it took years.

Because family… was worth everything.