Loving Me Will Kill Him

Chapter 5: I Will Not Leave

The whisper disappeared.

Silence swallowed the forest once more.

Selene stood perfectly still.

"...You heard it."

It wasn't a question.

Lucian nodded once.

"I did."

Neither of them spoke again.

The voice had not belonged to a wolf.

Nor to a human.

It had sounded ancient.

Patient.

As though it had waited a very long time for tonight.

A cold breeze slipped through the trees.

The silver thread between them pulsed once before growing dim.

For the first time since the bond appeared...

Selene wished it would disappear.

A branch snapped somewhere ahead.

Lucian's attention shifted instantly.

Every instinct sharpened.

The forest had become too quiet.

No insects.

No birds.

Even the wind seemed to avoid this place.

He took one slow step forward.

"Stay behind me."

Selene shook her head.

"I've hidden behind people my whole life."

Her voice was quiet.

"It never saved anyone."

She moved until she stood beside him instead.

Lucian looked at her for a moment.

Then gave the smallest nod.

Together.

The darkness moved.

At first...

Selene thought it was her imagination.

Then two golden eyes opened between the trees.

Another pair followed.

Then another.

Six wolves.

No.

Seven.

Large.

Scarred.

Silent.

Rogues.

They didn't growl.

They didn't bare their teeth.

They simply watched.

Waiting.

The largest among them stepped into a shaft of moonlight.

Its fur was streaked with old battle scars.

One ear had been torn almost completely away.

Its gaze settled on Selene.

It inhaled slowly.

As if memorizing her scent.

Then...

It lowered its head.

Not in respect.

Recognition.

A chill crawled down Selene's spine.

"They're looking for me."

Lucian never took his eyes off the rogues.

"I know."

Without a word, he removed his cloak.

He placed it over Selene's shoulders.

She stared at him.

"There are seven rogues."

"I counted."

"And you're giving me your cloak?"

"The night is cold."

She almost laughed.

Instead...

Her eyes filled with tears.

No one had ever looked after her so casually.

So naturally.

As though she deserved kindness without earning it.

The lead rogue took one step forward.

The others followed.

Not attacking.

Closing the circle.

Herding.

Lucian understood immediately.

"They don't want me."

Selene whispered.

"They want you."

The realization settled heavily between them.

Someone had sent them.

The first wolf lunged.

Silver light exploded through the trees.

Lucian shifted.

The enormous black wolf landed soundlessly before Selene, his amber eyes burning against the darkness.

Every rogue froze.

For one heartbeat...

No one moved.

Then chaos erupted.

The forest became claws.

Fangs.

Snarls.

Flying leaves.

Selene could barely follow the fight.

Lucian moved with terrifying precision.

Every strike had purpose.

Every movement protected the space behind him.

Protected her.

Within moments...

One rogue lay unconscious.

Two fled.

Another limped into the darkness.

The remaining wolves hesitated.

The scarred leader looked at Lucian.

Then slowly turned its gaze toward Selene.

Its lips pulled back.

Not into a snarl.

Into something that looked disturbingly close to a smile.

The rogues retreated.

Not defeated.

Satisfied.

As though they had learned exactly what they came to discover.

Moonlight settled over the clearing once more.

Lucian shifted back.

A thin line of blood traced across his ribs.

Nothing serious.

Selene saw it anyway.

Her breath caught.

Without thinking...

She reached toward the wound.

Her fingertips stopped inches away.

Fear hit her like a wave.

If I touch him...

Her hand trembled.

She pulled it back.

Lucian gently caught her wrist before she could.

He didn't pull her closer.

He simply stopped her from running again.

"Look at me."

Slowly...

She did.

His expression was calm.

Steady.

Unafraid.

"I'm dangerous."

"No."

"You don't know that."

"I know what I've seen."

She looked away.

"You've only known me for a day."

"I've known your character since the moment you risked your life for a child who was afraid of you."

The words broke through every wall she had spent years building.

She closed her eyes.

A tear escaped.

"I don't know how to believe you."

"You don't have to."

His voice remained quiet.

"You only have to let me prove it."

For a long moment...

Neither of them moved.

The silver thread shimmered softly between their hearts.

Then Lucian made a choice.

One that neither the Council...

Nor the elders...

Nor the Moon Goddess herself could undo.

"I will not leave you."

Selene felt the words settle somewhere deep inside her.

A place untouched by hope for many years.

And for the first time...

She wanted to believe someone.

Far above the clearing...

The old man watched from the cliffs.

His weathered hand tightened around an ancient staff carved with faded moon symbols.

"So..."

he whispered.

"The first seal has broken."

His eyes never left the glowing thread below.

"Now the others will awaken."