From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Chapter 11

SELENE

The morning after the Lunar Trial felt tough. I woke up with a sharp headache pounding behind my eyes. My body ached all over, but the pain in my head was worse.

It felt like someone had pushed too many feelings inside my mind and left them there. I sat up slowly in bed and rubbed my temples, the room spun a little. I took deep breaths and tried to push the discomfort away, but it stayed with me.

I got up carefully and walked to the bathroom, the cool water from the sink felt good on my face. When I looked in the mirror, my eyes looked tired. Dark circles sat under them. I splashed more water on my skin and hoped the headache would fade soon.

The whole day was meant to be a recovery day. No classes or training. Just rest after the hard trial. I changed into comfortable clothes and decided to stay in the dorm for most of the morning. Elara had already left and the room felt quiet without her.

By afternoon, the headache had grown stronger. Emotions I did not understand kept flashing through my mind. Random feelings of sadness, anger, loneliness. They came and went like waves. I lay on my bed with my eyes closed, trying to make them stop. My wolf felt restless inside me too.

A soft knock sounded on the window. I sat up quickly. The sound came again and I walked over and pulled the curtain aside. Kael stood outside on the small ledge, looking careful. His dark eyes met mine through the glass and he put a finger to his lips, asking me to stay quiet.

I opened the window slowly. Cool air rushed in. "What are you doing here?" I whispered.

Kael climbed inside with smooth movements. He landed lightly on the floor and straightened up. His tall body filled the space. He wore a simple dark hoodie and jeans. His hair looked messy, like he had been running his hands through it.

"I came to check on you," he said quietly. "You did not look good after the trial yesterday. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

I closed the window and turned to face him. My heart beat a little faster. This was the first time he had come to me like this, secretly.

"I'm fine," I said, even though my head still hurt. "Just a bad headache."

Kael studied my face and his eyes moved over me with real concern. He stepped closer and gently touched my arm. "You are not fine. I can see it. Sit down."

I sat on the edge of my bed. Kael sat beside me, leaving a small space between us. The room felt smaller with him in it, his scent wrapped around me.

"Tell me what is happening," he said softly. "After the trial, when I touched your arm, you looked like something hit you hard. What did you feel?"

I looked down at my hands. "I do not know how to explain it. When people touch me lately, I feel things that are not mine. Strong emotions, pain, jealousy and sadness. It comes suddenly and leaves me feeling tired, like right now. My head hurts and my heart feels too full."

Kael stayed quiet for a moment. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, his shoulders looked tense. "You are going through something real. It is not easy. But you are strong, stronger than you think."

I turned my head to look at him. The moonlight from the window lit up his face. His dark eyes looked softer than usual.

"Why did you come here tonight, Kael? You keep telling me to stay away from you. Yet here you are."

He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a slow breath. "Because I can not stop thinking about you. Even when I try. That kiss in the courtyard, the way you fight back against Calder. The way you look at me like you see something more. It is messing with my head."

My heart beat faster. I felt that warm pull toward him again. "Then stop pushing me away," I said softly. "Talk to me. Be honest with me."

Kael turned his body toward me, our knees almost touched. He looked deep into my eyes. "I have watched you for a long time, Selene. Even during our rival days. You worked harder than anyone. You never gave up. But I stayed back because I knew getting close to you would bring trouble. Especially now with Calder losing control."

I reached out and touched his hand lightly. "I am not afraid of trouble anymore. I have already been through the worst."

For a moment, the air between us felt charged. Kael leaned in closer and his eyes dropped to my lips. My breath caught. We stayed like that, faces close, hearts beating fast. I could feel the heat from his body.

Then he pulled back suddenly. He stood up and walked to the window, his shoulders rose and fell with deep breaths.

"I should go," he said, his voice rough. "Before someone sees me here."

I stood up too. "Kael...."

He turned back to me. His eyes looked conflicted. "Be careful tomorrow. Calder is getting worse. I can see it. Stay safe, Selene."

Before I could say anything more, he climbed out the window and disappeared. I stood there for a long time, touching my lips with my fingers. That almost moment felt so real, so close.

The next day at lunch, the cafeteria was full. I carried my tray and looked for an empty table. Before I could sit down, Calder appeared with three of his friends and he walked right up to me in front of everyone.

"Selene," he said loudly, his voice carrying across the room. Many students turned to look. "I have made my decision. You will be my mate. I am claiming you here and now. No more games, no more running to Voss."

His friends stood behind him with serious faces. Calder stepped closer. His silver eyes burned with strong emotion. His body looked stressed, like he was barely holding himself together.

"You belong to me," he continued, louder this time. "The Moon Goddess chose us. Stop fighting it, stop embarrassing me in front of the whole academy."

I felt all eyes on us and my cheeks grew warm, but I lifted my chin and looked straight at him.

"I do not belong to you, Calder," I said clearly. "I make my own choices, and I choose not to be with you."

Calder's face darkened. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You will change your mind. I will make sure of it. You are mine, Selene. Whether you accept it today or tomorrow, it does not matter. I am not letting you go."

He turned and walked away with his friends. The cafeteria stayed quiet for a few seconds before whispers broke out everywhere. I sat down at an empty table with my tray. My hands shook a little as I picked up my fork.

Calder was getting more aggressive and unstable. I could see it clearly now.

I ate slowly, thinking about Kael's visit last night and Calder's public claim today. Everything was moving faster, but I was not going to break.

I would keep fighting, for myself and for the future I wanted, even if it meant facing both Calder's obsession and whatever strange new power was waking up inside me.