From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Chapter 7

SELENE

I waited until the library was quiet in the late afternoon. Most students had gone for dinner or training. I walked between the tall shelves with steady steps until I spotted Kael.

He stood in a corner near the back, pulling a thick book from the top shelf. His dark shirt stretched across his shoulders as he reached up.

I took a deep breath and walked straight to him. "Kael," I called.

He turned around slowly. His sharp eyes met mine and for a second, his body went still. Then he placed the book back on the shelf and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Selene," he replied, his voice low. "I thought I told you not to follow me."

I stepped closer, close enough to see the small frown between his eyebrows. "I need to talk to you. You can't keep avoiding me forever."

He looked around to make sure no one else was nearby. His jaw tightened. "You should stay away from me. For your own safety."

"Why?" I asked, refusing to move back. "What are you so afraid of? Is it Calder? Or is it something about you?"

Kael rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. His dark eyes looked troubled. He took a small step closer, and I felt that strange pull in my chest again, something about him made the air feel thicker.

"You don't understand," he said quietly. "Getting close to me right now is dangerous. I carry things you don't need in your life. Especially with Calder watching your every move."

I lifted my chin and looked straight at him. "I can handle Calder. What I can't handle is you pushing me away every time I try to get close. We used to fight in every class. At least back then you looked at me like I existed."

His eyes softened for just a moment. He uncrossed his arms and let them fall to his sides. "That's exactly why you should stay away. Things are different now. I'm different. If you keep coming near me, you might get hurt."

I felt a warm pull toward him instead and this was stronger than before. My eyes moved to his lips, then back to his eyes. "Maybe I don't want to stay away," I said softly.

Kael's body tensed. He took one step back and shook his head. "Don't say that. You have no idea what you're asking for." His voice became harder. "Go back to your dorm, Selene. Focus on your own problems. Leave me out of them."

He turned away from me and walked deeper into the shelves. I stood there for a few seconds, my heart beating fast. The pull I felt toward him was real, but he had shut me down completely.

I left the library with heavy steps. The sun was already setting when I reached the cafeteria. I picked up a tray and found an empty table near the window. I had just started eating when a shadow fell over me.

Calder.

He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down without asking. His broad shoulders filled the space. Several students at nearby tables turned to watch us. His silver-gray eyes locked on my face.

"We need to talk," he said, his deep voice firm.

I put my fork down slowly. "There's nothing to talk about, Calder."

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "I sent you flowers. You left them on the bench. Why do you keep fighting this? Our families need this alliance. I need this."

I looked at him carefully. His jaw was tight and his hands were clenched on the table. The old me would have felt happy that he was finally paying attention, the new me only felt tired.

"I already told my parents no," I said clearly. "I don't want to marry you. I don't want any alliance."

Calder's eyes flashed with anger, but there was something else there too, something almost like hurt.

"You humiliated me in front of everyone. You kissed Voss right in front of me, and now you think you can just walk away?"

I kept my voice calm. "Yes. I do."

He reached across the table and grabbed my wrist gently but firmly. His touch felt warm, but it no longer made my heart race like it used to. "You are mine, Selene. The Moon Goddess paired us. You can't change that."

I pulled my hand free and stood up. "Watch me."

I left my tray on the table and walked out of the cafeteria. I could feel his eyes burning into my back the whole way.

Later that night, when the dorm grew quiet, I slipped out again, the moon was bright overhead. I found a hidden spot behind the east dorms, far from the main paths, tall trees surrounded the small clearing. I took off my jacket and stood in the cool grass.

I closed my eyes and tried to practice shifting control. I let my claws come out slowly, then pulled them back in.

My wolf felt restless inside me as I remembered the ropes from the warehouse and the blade cutting my skin, the memory gave me strength.

I practiced for over an hour. Sweat ran down my back. My arms and legs burned from the effort. Every time I felt like stopping, I thought about my baby and the pain I had felt and I pushed harder.

By the time I finished, my body felt tired but my mind felt clearer. I pulled my jacket back on and looked up at the moon.

The first Lunar Trial was coming soon, a control trial under the full moon. I needed to be ready. I could not afford to be weak.

As I walked back toward the dorm, I thought about Kael's words in the library. He wanted me to stay away, but I could not do that because something inside me kept pulling me toward him.

I slipped back into the dorm quietly and closed the door to my room. Elara was already asleep. I changed into my night clothes and lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

Tomorrow I would keep trying and I would not stop until Kael listened to me. I had already lost everything once. I refused to lose myself again.