The redemption

Chapter 10 Selene’s family

Selene was twenty-one and of age to have had her first shift and yet she had still never shifted into her Lycan form.

She was beautiful in a way that seemed almost otherworldly—long silver hair with traits of amethyst running through it that cascaded down her back, catching the light like moonlit water. Her eyes shimmered with depth and quiet strength.

But beneath all of that something was stirring, she felt it constantly now, a pull, Cold Ancient. Calling from the north, was this Her destiny.

Selene…the voice echoed gently in her mind, Familiar, Steady Storm, Her Lycan.

“Why haven’t you come out yet?” Selene had once asked, her voice small in the quiet of her thoughts. Storm’s answer had been calm. Certain, “We are waiting, little one. Do not fear… we are here.”

She had told her father Merrick he had simply smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“When the time is right,” he told her softly, “she will come.” So, Selene waited, she learned all about shifting watched people shifting and prepared.

Her family had grown over the years. What had once been a quiet home on the edge of the woods was now alive with movement, sound, and a kind of warmth that never seemed to fade. Her mother, Mira, had given birth to twin boys—Aiden and Mason. One a Witch, the other a Werewolf. Opposites in nature yet bound together in a way that felt older than either magic or blood.

Selene often thought the forest itself had a hand in shaping them, that afternoon, the air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, the kind that clung to your skin and made everything feel grounded. Selene stood just beyond the treeline, a basket resting against her hip as she gathered herbs. Lavender, sage, a few stubborn sprigs of thyme that had survived the last frost.

The forest hummed softly around her—alive, watchful and then a crash Followed by laughter then a shout.

“Aiden, you’re going to get stuck again!” “I won’t—Mason, stop pulling the branch!”

Selene closed her eyes for a brief moment, a smile tugging at her lips before she even turned. Of course.

She followed the sound, stepping carefully over roots and low-hanging branches until she found them—exactly where she expected. Halfway up an old oak tree, Aiden clung to a thin, swaying branch, his fingers glowing faintly with unstable magic. Below him, Mason circled restlessly, barefoot and wild-haired, his movements too quick, too sharp to be entirely human.

“You said you could reach it!” Mason snapped, though there was no real anger in his voice—only excitement. “I can reach it!” Aiden shot back, stretching higher. The branch creaked ominously. Selene leaned against the trunk, folding her arms. “And what exactly is it?”

Both boys froze slowly; Aiden turned his head. “Selene.” Mason grinned, entirely unbothered. “We found a bird’s nest.” “There are eggs,” Aiden added quickly. “I was just going to look.” “From the top of a branch that looks like it might snap if a squirrel breathes on it?” Selene raised a brow The branch gave another long, warning groan Mason snorted. “It’s fine.”

It was not fine “Aiden,” Selene said calmly, “climb down.” “I’m almost—” The c***k split the air.

The branch snapped for a heartbeat, everything stilled Then—

Aiden yelped as he dropped, his magic flaring wildly in a flash of pale light. Mason reacted instantly, his body shifting—not fully, but enough. Bones adjusted, reflexes sharpened. He lunged forward and caught his brother just before he hit the ground, both of them tumbling into a heap of limbs and leaves, silence then laughter.

Bright, breathless, unstoppable laughter Selene exhaled, pressing a hand to her forehead as she walked toward them. “Are you hurt?” “No,” Mason said, still laughing as he pushed himself up. “Did you see that? I caught him!” “You dropped me,” Aiden shot back, though he was grinning just as widely. “I caught you first!” “You still dropped me!” Selene crouched beside them, brushing leaves from Aiden’s hair and checking his arms. “You’re both impossible.”

“And you love us,” Mason said without hesitation Selene paused, then smiled softly. “That, unfortunately, is true.” by the time they returned home, the sun had begun its slow descent, painting the sky in hues of gold and amber. The house stood warm and welcoming, smoke curling lazily from the chimney. Even before they reached the door, they could hear Mira inside—pots clinking, something sizzling, the low murmur of a song woven with old magic.

The moment they stepped in, the scent of food wrapped around them—rich stew, fresh bread, herbs Selene had gathered only days before, “And where,” Mira’s voice called from the kitchen, “have you three been?” “In the forest,” Mason answered immediately “Causing trouble,” Selene added “I was not causing trouble,” Aiden protested, kicking off his shoes.

Mira appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a cloth, her gaze sweeping over them with quiet, practiced care. It lingered on the boys—checking, always checking—before softening “You’re filthy,” she said, “We were exploring,” Mason corrected “You were climbing trees,” Selene said, “You fell out of a tree,” Mason added helpfully, Aiden groaned. “You’re the worst.” “And yet,” Mira said, a smile breaking through, “you are both still in one piece. That’s a success, as far as I’m concerned.”

Dinner was loud, as it always was voices overlapped, stories tumbled over one another, and laughter filled every corner of the room. Mason talked with his hands, nearly knocking over his cup twice. Aiden argued about something entirely inconsequential, his words quick and animated. Mira and Merrick listened, amused, occasionally correcting, occasionally just watching. Selene sat among them, quiet but content, her gaze moving from one to the other. This—this chaos, this noise, this unfiltered, untamed life—was everything.

Later, when the dishes were cleared and the house had settled into a softer kind of quiet, Selene stepped outside once more.

The night had come gently. The moon hung high, silver and watchful, its light spilling across the forest and weaving through the trees. The forest whispered again, just as it had earlier, but now it felt different—deeper, older.

Selene tilted her face upward, closing her eyes “Thank you,” she murmured.

To the Goddess.

To the land beneath her feet.

To the pack that protected them.

To the coven that guided them.

And to the family inside laughing, bickering, alive.

Behind her, the door creaked open.

“Selene?” Merricks’s voice, softer now, “Are you ok?” Selene turned to her father and replied, “yes father I was just giving thanks.” “Aiden and mason are going to bed and would like a bedtime story from their big sister” She turned, smiling as her father stood there looking at his daughter feeling so proud of his family.

Selene went to the boy’s bedroom and started to read them a story just as she had finished the brothers took hold of her hand and they both stared up at her “Selene you wont leave us will you” Selene looked down

“Never,” she said and she meant it.

But peace never lasts.