Marked By The Lycan King, Betrayed By Fate

CHAPTER 48

(Selene’s POV)

The blood on his face hadn’t completely dried when Lucian stood before me. His eyes were still filled with anger, but his arms—now wrapped around my waist—remained warm. Safe. As if the world could fall apart, and as long as I was in his arms, everything would still be alright.

“Lucian…” My voice was barely audible, choked by the flood of emotions surging inside me.

He lowered his head slightly, his eyes locking with mine, and in that gaze, I saw everything. Pain. Old wounds. But also love. For me.

“I’m okay,” he said softly. “Don’t cry, Selene.”

I didn’t even realize I was crying until he said it. My hand reached up to touch his bruised cheek, then traced the sharp line of his jaw. This man—the respected Alpha, the feared leader—had just gone to war with his own blood for me.

“I never asked for this,” I murmured. “I just wanted you safe, Lucian. I didn’t need any proof.”

“But I did,” he replied firmly. “I needed the whole world to know that you’re mine. And anyone who hurts you… will kneel or be destroyed.”

His words shook me.

I had lived in the shadows of rejection for so long. From Dexton. From the elders who saw me as a disgrace. From the females who whispered hatred behind my back.

But now… someone stood beside me. Someone who didn’t just acknowledge me, but fought for me, bled for me.

“Selene.”

I turned when Harper approached hesitantly, her eyes flicking to Lucian for a moment before settling on me. “You need to get him treated. His wounds—”

“I can walk on my own,” Lucian cut in, his voice heavy, though his shoulder sagged slightly.

I quickly supported him, and he didn’t resist. In fact, he held my hand even tighter.

We walked through the crowd. Those faces no longer looked at me with disdain. They looked down. Averted their eyes. Fearful, or perhaps finally… respectful.

But among the crowd, I saw him.

Dexton.

Sitting on the ground, his body slumped against a wooden pillar, breathing heavily. His eyes met mine, not with the fury from before, but hollow. Broken.

There was no more hatred in them.

Only ruin.

And for a brief moment, my heart nearly softened.

Nearly.

Because I could never forget how he treated me. How he rejected our bond, then shredded my dignity. And tonight—he dared call me “the trash he left behind.”

Lucian looked in the same direction. He knew.

“I’ll make sure he never bothers you again,” he said quietly, but with a sharpness like a blade.

I nodded and held onto his arm tighter.

We arrived at the mansion’s master bedroom. Harper immediately called for a healer, but Lucian refused.

“You’re all I need tonight,” he said as he sat on the edge of the bed, his breath ragged.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered as I sat beside him and began cleaning his wounds.

“You don’t have to say anything. Just being here is enough.”

I looked at him. The bruise on his temple was turning blue, and there was a long gash across his chest, near the mark of our bond.

Gently, I touched it.

The mark glowed faintly beneath his skin, warm under my fingertips. I felt the bond strengthening—whole, complete. Undeniable.

Lucian looked at me, and when he spoke again, his voice was softer. Fragile.

“Selene… you know this is only the beginning, right? Dexton may have given up, but the elders won’t stay silent. They’ll find a way—any way—to tear us apart… maybe even destroy you if they can.”

I took a deep breath, steadying the tremor in my chest.

“I’m not afraid,” I finally said. “As long as you’re by my side, I can face anyone.”

He took my hand, kissed it, and closed his eyes. “I swear, Selene. I’ll protect you, even if it means losing everything.”

My heart nearly crumbled.

This man… the one I once thought only used our bond for political cover… now had the courage to say he’d risk everything for me.

And when he looked at me again, I knew. There was no more doubt.

Lucian was mine.

And I was his.

But before I could lean in to kiss him, the bedroom door swung open with a loud bang.

Harper stood in the doorway, her face pale.

“There’s a problem,” she said quickly. “Someone at the gate—they claim to be a messenger from the royal family. They want to meet with Luna Selene. Now.”

I froze.

Lucian immediately stood, even though his wounds weren’t fully healed.

“What do they want?” he asked sharply.

“They said… it’s about Selene’s blood. About a past that… was never recorded.”

My eyes widened. My heart thundered.

Because there was only one thing I had buried deep in my memory.

One name I thought was lost forever.

Lucian turned to me, and for the first time… he looked uncertain.

“Selene… is there something you haven’t told me?”

I swallowed hard.

Met his gaze.

And knew that tonight, everything would change.

“Yes… and it will change everything, Lucian.”