Chapter 5
539 Words
Sleep didn’t come easily for Selene. It hadn’t since the night her world shattered. She lay on the
bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, trying to process everything. Noctara city had always felt off
to her, like a place she wasn’t meant to belong in—but now, she wasn’t sure she belonged
anywhere at all.
Her body still ached from the last fight, the bruises fading faster than they should have. Another
reminder of what she was.
Not human.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to will away the thoughts, but they came anyway. The way
Ronan looked at her, like she was some puzzle he was trying to figure out. The way Damon
spoke her name, as if he knew something she didn’t. And then there was the pull—stronger
now, like a thread tied between her and Ronan, one she didn’t want but couldn’t cut.
A knock at the door made her jolt. Before she could respond, it swung open, and Mason walked
in.
"Jeez, ever heard of knocking?" she muttered.
He grinned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"You need to come. Now.
"
Selene sat up.
"What is it?"
Mason didn’t answer. That was enough to set her on edge.
She followed him out, the halls silent except for the distant murmur of voices outside. A cold
breeze hit her as they stepped into the open air, where a group had gathered in the moonlit
clearing.
At the center stood Ronan. His broad shoulders were rigid, fists clenched at his sides. The
moment Selene saw what was at his feet, her breath caught.
A torn, blood-stained piece of fabric.
Her stomach twisted.
"What—what is that?"
"A message,
" Ronan said. His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it.
Mason swore.
"It’s from Jonas.
"
Selene’s chest tightened. She didn’t know Jonas well, but she’d seen him around. He was one
of the scouts, one of Ronan’s most trusted.
“Damon took him?” she asked.
Ronan nodded.
"This is what he left behind.
"
Selene swallowed hard.
"So what do we do?"
Ronan exhaled sharply, like he was trying to keep his temper in check.
"We do nothing. I'll
handle it.
"
Selene’s fists clenched.
"No, you don’t get to decide that. This started because of me, didn’t it?"
Ronan’s eyes flickered with something unreadable.
"It’s not your fight.
"
Selene took a step forward.
"The hell it isn’t.
"
Silence stretched between them. Mason shifted uncomfortably, and a few others exchanged
wary glances, like they were waiting for one of them to snap.
Finally, Ronan spoke.
"You don’t even know what you are yet.
"
"Then teach me,
" Selene said. Her voice was steady, despite the storm inside her.
Mason’s brows lifted. Even Ronan seemed caught off guard at the moment .
Selene took another step closer, her gaze locked with his.
"You keep telling me I’m not safe
alone. Then make me strong enough to stand my ground.
"
For a long moment, Ronan didn’t respond. Then, he said “you're gonna need some training “
, he
turned and walked away.
Selene exhaled shakily, her heart still hammering.
This wasn’t over. Not even close.
- Writer
