Lady Isolde's feet left the ground as Selene lifted her. Nobody dared to move.
"I almost lost a limb because of him," Selene roared, her grip tightening. "They killed women, even children without mercy. They don't want peace. They want us dead!" Her rage surged through her arms as Lady Isolde struggled in vain.
"Selene…"
A low, lifeless voice cut through the tension.
She turned, loosening her grip on Lady Isolde's throat.
"Dad?" she responded, limping to his bedside.
"You need to calm down. This is a crucial time," he said, voice cracking as he wheezed, fighting for breath.
"It's your choice, Selene… but you have to save the kingdom," he continued.
She saw the fear of death in his eyes. Their relationship had never been close, but he was still her father and she would not let him die.
"Duty," Selene whispered, sobbing.
She felt the weight of the council's gaze on her.
"My princess, please!" Lady Isolde called out.
Selene turned toward her, eyes dark, enraged that she could still speak.
"Until you're crowned Luna, the throne is vulnerable. If the king dies, Lucien has every right to take the citadel. You must act before we lose everything." Lady Isolde pleaded.
Those words sent chills down Selene's spine.
"I know what to do, Lady Isolde," Selene said, her voice dead cold.
"Leave us," she commanded. The council members obeyed without hesitation, filing out of the room.
"Selene…" her father spoke again, clutching her hand.
"You need to respect the council, child. You can't rule alone."
"I know what to do," she repeated, letting go of his hand.
Stay alive," she said quietly, eyes locked on his. Even if her hands trembled and the thought of Lucian made her bones ache. Duty was louder than fear.
*******
As Selene stepped out the door, her gaze met Cassian's. What was he doing here now? Why is he being so sneaky? What was his game? she thought to herself as she walked towards him.
"Are you okay?" his deep voice came in.
"I'm fine, Cassian," she replied, trying to limp past him.
He caught her and lifted her up. "I know what you need to do. I'll accompany you to Nightfang Vale," he said, heading for her room.
"You don't need to do anything," she said, her voice firm.
"You're not healed. Let me help," he continued, trying to sway her.
"I said I'm fine," she repeated, letting herself down from him. She placed her injured foot firmly on the ground, and the sharp sound of bone fitting into place echoed in the hallway.
"Careful…" he started, but Selene cut him off.
"I know how you feel, Cassian. But I can sense something else in you. Sort yourself out," she said, noticing how awfully calm he was, like a tragedy hadn't occurred in less than two days.
"When you let go of what's making you act differently, you know where to find me," she said finally, walking away from him without looking back.
*******
"Get a horse ready for me, Louisa. I need to reach Nightfang Vale before dawn," Selene said, fastening her cloak as she moved around her room.
"Yes, Your Highness," Louisa replied, bowing slightly before slipping out the door.
Selene turned to the bed, where her mother had finally cried herself to sleep. She stood beside her, watching the gentle rise and fall of her breath. For a moment, the weight of it all—the grief, the pressure, the fear—pressed down on her.
She had to make this right. She had to restore peace, even if it cost her everything.
A voice broke her thoughts.
"Selene…"
She turned toward the door. Cassian.
"I told you—" she began, but he stepped forward and dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry, Selene," he said, his voice low and steady.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. Sorry I wasn't there when you needed me." His eyes met hers, unflinching. "I'm better now. I will be better. Please… let me be there for you."
She stood still, arms crossed behind her back, watching him carefully. There was a strange stillness inside her—uneasy, but not cold.
Cassian had been her friend long before he was her betrothed. Through everything, he had been there—until recently.
If she could trust anyone now… it was him.
"Fine," she said softly, stepping toward him and offering her hand.
Without hesitation, he took it and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm.
It was their old ritual—one they hadn't shared in a long time.
"Thank you, Selene. Thank you," he said, a flicker of a smile tugging at his lips.
"We need to leave now. We must reach Nightfang Vale by dawn," she said, her voice calm but resolute, motioning for him to rise.
********
Cassian
Their horses came to a sudden halt as Lycans emerged from the shadows, surrounding them. A low, collective growl rumbled through the air.
"Bloodsuckers," one of them spat.
"You don't belong here," another voice added, stepping forward from the pack.
Cassian dismounted, landing with practiced ease.
"I am Cassian Duskmoor," he announced, his voice steady. "I come with Princess Selene Valamir of the Valamir Citadel."
He walked to Selene's horse and positioned himself protectively in front of her.
The man who had stepped forward straightened his shoulders. "I am Hadrian Ironman, Beta to King Lucian and head of the Kingsguard," he said, signaling the Lycans to lower their stance, though their growls didn't stop.
"Haven't your kind done enough damage?" Hadrian sneered. "You're lucky I'm the one standing here. Otherwise, you'd already be a corpse."
"Enough," Selene's voice rang out, firm and clear.
"I need to speak with your king," she said, tone calm but commanding.
"Careful, Princess," Hadrian snapped, his voice now edged with anger. "You have no power here. You are not our Luna."
Cassian didn't move. His gaze swept the Lycans, calculating. The stench of them clawed at his senses, making his skin prickle and his blood boil.
A burning sensation crawled up his chest. Whispers slithered into his mind. He could feel the taste of blood in his mouth.
The world dulled around him.
"You would protect her?" a voice mocked from the depths of his mind.
"I made you strong, you have power now! Prove yourself!" The voice continued.
Stop, he whispered to himself, pressing his claws into his palms, trying to ground himself. But it was too late, his eyes had already turned, bloodlust seeping through.
"I am not here to shed blood," Selene's voice cut through the haze. "I need to speak to your king."
Cassian turned toward her voice, trying to hold on to it.
Hadrian took a step closer to Cassian, brow furrowed. "Are you—unwell?" he asked, sniffing at him.
"Stay away from me!" Cassian growled, and in a flash, he shoved Hadrian to the ground and drove his claws into his neck.
"Cassian! What are you doing?" Selene screamed as she leapt off her horse.
The Lycans roared, lunging toward him.