Chapter 10
698 Words
The night air carried the scent of damp earth and pine. The battle was over. The rogues were
defeated. Noctara was safe again.
Selene stood near the edge of the Blackwood estate, staring at the vast forest beyond. She had
spent so long running—from the truth, from her past, from herself. But now? Now, there was
nothing left to fear.
Footsteps approached behind her, slow and deliberate.
“Selene,
” Lena’s voice was soft, careful.
Selene turned to face her mother—no, her adoptive mother. Even after everything, it was hard
to think of her that way. But the warmth in Lena’s eyes never changed. It never wavered.
“You lied to me,
” Selene murmured, her voice not angry, just… tired.
“My whole life, you lied.
”
Lena sighed, stepping closer.
“I didn’t lie to hurt you. I did it to protect you.
”
Selene crossed her arms, waiting.
Lena took a deep breath.
“You are not just any werewolf, Selene. You were born of a powerful
bloodline. Your real mother was one of the Moon Blessed—wolves chosen by the Moon
Goddess herself. That’s why Damon wanted you. That’s why the Moonstone reacted to you.
”
Selene’s stomach tightened.
“And you never told me because…?”
“Because if you had known, you would have been hunted. The moment your abilities awakened,
Damon would have come for you. And I couldn’t let that happen.
”
Selene looked away, exhaling sharply.
“So what now? What am I supposed to do with this?”
Lena reached out, tucking a strand of Selene’s hair behind her ear like she used to when she
was younger.
“You don’t have to do anything, my love. You don’t have to be what anyone
expects. You just have to be you.
”
Selene swallowed the lump in her throat.
“You are my daughter, Selene. You always have been,
” Lena whispered.
“And no matter what
you are or what you become, I will always be proud of you.
”
The weight in Selene’s chest loosened, just a little. She nodded, barely speaking,
“Thank you.
”
Lena smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Selene’s forehead.
Then, footsteps approached again—heavier, steadier. Ronan.
Lena gave her one last knowing look before stepping away, leaving them alone.
“You’re quiet,
” Ronan noted, standing beside her.
Selene sighed.
“I just… it’s a lot.
”
Ronan huffed a small laugh.
“That’s an understatement.
”
She turned to face him.
“What now?”
His gaze softened.
“That’s up to you.
”
Her heart clenched at the sincerity in his voice. This was different. It wasn’t about the bond
forcing them together. It was about choice.
Selene took a slow step closer.
“What do you want, Ronan?”
His throat bobbed.
“You.
”
One simple word. But it stole her breath.
She placed her hand against his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin.
“I want you too.
”
His eyes darkened, and then he pulled her into him. Their lips met, slow and deep, like a
promise. Like home.
When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
“Come on,
” he murmured.
“There’s
something I want to show you.
”
He led her into the forest, hand in hand. The wind whispered through the trees, the moonlight
spilling in patches over them.
Then, in the clearing, he stopped.
“Shift,
” he said softly.
Selene hesitated. Her first shift had been painful. But now? Now she wasn’t afraid.
She closed her eyes and let go.
Heat spread through her limbs, but this time, there was no pain—only energy. When she
opened her eyes, the world was sharper, clearer. She wasn’t standing on two legs anymore.
She was free.
A deep growl rumbled beside her. Ronan, in his wolf form, nuzzled her, his warmth familiar even
now.
Then, without warning, he took off.
Selene huffed a wolfish laugh before bounding after him, the wind rushing past her.
For the first time in her life, she wasn’t running away.
She was running home.
- Writer
