CHAPTER 4: THE PRICE OF SAVING HER
1686 Words
The question lingered between them.
"...What do you really want from me?"
Kael's gray eyes never left hers.
"You."
The word was spoken so quietly that it barely rose above the sound of the rain.
Selene let out a disbelieving laugh.
"You don't even know me."
"I know enough."
"No, you don't."
She shook her head.
"You know facts."
"You know my debts."
"My job."
"My mother's illness."
"But you don't know me."
For the first time since they'd met, Kael didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the rain-streaked windows overlooking the city.
"You're right."
Selene blinked.
"I don't know your favorite color."
"I don't know what music you listen to."
"I don't know what makes you laugh."
"I don't know your dreams."
He turned to face her.
"But I know your character."
"And that's far more important."
She frowned.
"My character?"
"You returned money that wasn't yours."
"You worked yourself sick rather than steal."
"You chose your mother's life over your own future."
His voice remained steady.
"People reveal who they are when life becomes unbearable."
"And you..."
"...chose kindness."
No one had ever described her that way before.
Most people simply called her stubborn.
Or foolish.
She looked away, suddenly uncomfortable.
"You make me sound better than I am."
"I don't."
"I simply pay attention."
---
Outside...
A black SUV remained parked across the street.
Its headlights were off.
Inside sat two men dressed in dark clothing.
One raised a pair of binoculars.
"She's still inside."
The other picked up his phone.
"Report to Alpha Ronan."
"The Nightshade King found her first."
A deep voice answered from the speaker.
"I expected as much."
"What are your orders?"
The voice chuckled.
"Watch."
"Do nothing."
"The moon chooses its own path."
The call ended.
The SUV quietly disappeared into the rain.
---
Back inside the restaurant...
Ethan approached Kael.
"Alpha."
"The car is ready."
Kael nodded.
Then he looked at Selene.
"Come."
She folded her arms.
"You really think I'm just going to leave with a stranger?"
"You already know my name."
"That's not the same thing."
"I suppose not."
She sighed.
"You keep asking me to trust you."
"But you haven't trusted me with a single answer."
Kael considered her words.
Then he reached into his jacket.
Selene stiffened.
Instead of another document...
He removed his wallet.
From it, he carefully took out an old photograph.
The edges were worn.
As though it had been carried for years.
He held it out.
"You asked for trust."
"Then this is where I'll begin."
Confused, Selene accepted the photograph.
It showed a little boy.
Perhaps ten years old.
Standing beside a smiling woman with long dark hair.
The boy's face was serious.
Even as a child.
But the eyes...
Those unmistakable gray eyes...
They belonged to Kael.
"Your mother?"
He nodded.
"Her name was Isabella."
"You said she died."
"She did."
Selene gently traced the faded photograph with her thumb.
"You've carried this all these years?"
"Every day."
She looked up.
"I know what it feels like."
He met her gaze.
"I thought you might."
For the first time...
The distance between them felt smaller.
Not because she suddenly trusted him.
But because she finally saw something beneath the cold exterior.
Grief.
---
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen.
Hospital Calling...
Her stomach dropped.
She answered immediately.
"Hello?"
"Miss Ashford?"
It was Dr. Harrison.
"Your mother collapsed a few minutes ago."
Selene's blood ran cold.
"What?"
"She's stable for the moment..."
"...but the surgery cannot wait any longer."
"When can you make the payment?"
Selene couldn't speak.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
She had no answer.
The doctor sighed softly.
"I understand."
"We'll do everything we can."
The call ended.
Selene lowered the phone.
Her entire body trembled.
The room blurred around her.
Kael quietly walked closer.
Without saying a word...
He placed a handkerchief in front of her.
She stared at it.
Then at him.
"You knew this would happen."
"I knew time was running out."
Tears finally spilled down her cheeks.
"I can't lose her."
Her voice cracked.
"I've already lost my father."
"I can't..."
"...I can't lose my mom too."
For the first time...
Kael reached out.
Not to pull her into an embrace.
Not to invade her space.
He simply rested one hand gently on her shoulder.
A quiet, reassuring gesture.
"You won't."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
"I gave you my word."
She searched his face.
There wasn't a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Only unwavering conviction.
Something inside her began to crack.
Not fear.
Not pride.
The wall she'd spent years building around herself.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
She didn't have to fight this battle alone.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak—
The restaurant doors burst open.
BANG!
A cold gust of wind swept inside.
Every light flickered.
The room temperature dropped so suddenly that several customers gasped.
Standing in the doorway was an elderly man in a charcoal suit, holding a silver cane.
His white hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp amber eyes settled immediately on Kael.
He ignored everyone else.
Including Selene.
His voice echoed through the silent restaurant.
"Your Majesty."
"I've come on behalf of the Moon Council."
Kael's expression instantly turned cold.
"I told the Council never to interfere in my affairs."
The old man lowered his head respectfully.
"I know."
"But this matter cannot wait."
His gaze slowly shifted toward Selene.
For the first time...
His calm expression faltered.
His eyes widened ever so slightly.
"...Impossible."
He whispered.
"The Moon Goddess..."
"...she truly chose her."
______
The restaurant fell into complete silence.
The elderly man's words lingered in the air.
"The Moon Goddess... she truly chose her."
Selene frowned.
"...What?"
The old man didn't answer.
His amber eyes remained fixed on her as though he were looking at a ghost.
Kael stepped between them.
"You've seen enough."
The old man lowered his head.
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
"But the Council demanded confirmation."
"You have it."
"There is nothing more to discuss."
The old man hesitated.
"There is one matter..."
Kael's expression darkened.
"Speak."
"The other packs already know."
A tense silence followed.
"They're moving."
"They believe if they find her before the coronation..."
"They can change the prophecy."
Selene's eyebrows knitted together.
"What prophecy?"
Again...
No one answered.
She clenched her fists.
"I am standing right here!"
"You keep talking about me like I'm not even in the room!"
Kael looked at her.
His expression softened—just slightly.
"I'll explain."
"When?"
"When you're safe."
"I don't need protection."
"You do."
"I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself."
The old man let out a quiet sigh.
"Miss Ashford..."
"If you knew what hunts you..."
"...you would never walk these streets alone again."
A chill crept down her spine.
Before she could question him further—
Kael's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
Only one sentence appeared.
Movement detected at Saint Mary's Hospital.
His eyes instantly turned icy.
"Ethan."
The assistant was already beside him.
"Our men?"
"They're engaging the intruders."
Selene's heart stopped.
"The hospital?"
Kael didn't waste another second.
"We're leaving."
He grabbed her wrist.
Not roughly.
Firmly.
Purposefully.
Selene pulled back.
"My mother!"
"Exactly."
They rushed out of the restaurant into the pouring rain.
---
The black limousine sped through the city.
Rain hammered against the windows.
Selene couldn't sit still.
She kept checking her phone.
No new messages.
No missed calls.
Nothing.
The silence frightened her more than bad news.
She turned toward Kael.
"What if we're too late?"
"We won't be."
"You can't know that."
"I do."
His confidence frustrated her.
"How?"
"Because no one reaches your mother before my men."
She stared at him.
"Your men?"
"How many people work for you?"
He looked out the window.
"Enough."
She rolled her eyes.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Despite herself...
She almost smiled.
He was impossible.
---
The limousine suddenly slowed.
Ethan frowned.
"Alpha."
Kael looked up.
"What is it?"
"We have company."
Three black motorcycles appeared behind them.
Then another.
And another.
Six in total.
Their headlights cut through the rain like glowing eyes.
"They've been following us for three blocks."
Selene looked through the rear window.
"They're getting closer."
One of the riders pulled something from beneath his jacket.
Ethan's voice hardened.
"Weapon."
The next second—
BANG!
A gunshot shattered the rear windshield.
Glass exploded across the back seat.
Selene screamed instinctively.
Kael immediately pulled her down beside him, shielding her with his body.
Another shot rang out.
BANG!
The bullet struck the armored door.
It didn't penetrate.
Ethan spoke into a radio.
"Code Black."
"Protect the Alpha."
Within seconds...
Two black SUVs emerged from side streets, positioning themselves between the limousine and the motorcycles.
The escort vehicles moved with perfect coordination.
One biker accelerated.
He tried to squeeze through the gap.
A security SUV swerved smoothly, forcing him back without causing a collision.
"They're trying to separate us," Ethan said.
Kael remained calm.
"No."
He looked through the cracked rear window.
"They're testing us."
The lead motorcyclist removed his helmet.
Even through the rain, his silver eyes gleamed unnaturally.
He smiled.
Then, without warning...
He leaped.
Not from one motorcycle to another.
From the moving bike...
Onto the roof of Kael's limousine.
THUD!
Selene gasped.
"...That's impossible."
The man crouched on the roof like a wild animal.
His fingers...
Were ending in long, black claws.
He slammed one clawed hand into the metal roof.
The steel dented inward.
Once.
Twice.
A third strike...
And the roof began to tear.
Selene's breathing became ragged.
"...What is he?"
Kael's gray eyes flashed for the briefest moment.
Something ancient stirred behind them.
"He isn't human."
The clawed man laughed from above.
His voice echoed through the storm.
"Kael Nightshade!"
"Our Alpha sends his regards!"
"And he wants the girl!"
Another deafening blow struck the roof.
The metal ripped open.
Rain poured into the limousine through a jagged hole.
For one split second...
The attacker's glowing silver eyes locked onto Selene's.
He grinned.
"We've finally found you..."
- Writer
