" Don't you think we should put an end to this bloodshed?"
Selene's voice cut through the tense air of the pack clinic like a blade. The room smelled of blood and herbs, a bitter blend of violence and hopelessness. Around them, warriors moaned on thin cots, their injuries sutured hastily by the overworked healers.
Rylan turned to her, jaw tight. " You think surrendering to the Shadowfangs is the answer? "
Selene bristled. " I never said surrender. I said peace. An alliance with Alpha Kieran could — "
" No. " His voice was sharp, final. " I'll not bow to him. "
She clenched her fist. " This isn't about pride, Rylan. Ravena and her rogues are growing bolder. They struck in broad daylight, right at our borders. We lost five warriors today! How many more will have to die before you see that we need allies?"
Rylan's golden eyes burned with defiance. " We're strong enough. We do not need help from Kieran."
Selene inhaled deeply, forcing herself to stay calm. " Strong enough to do what? Keep throwing our people into battle until we've no one left? Kieran has been offering a truce for months. If we — "
" I said no. "
His voice was cold steel. The room seemed to shrink around them, the sounds of the wounded warriors fading into a dull hum.
Selene exhaled deeply, her heart
pounding. " Why? Because of some old grudge? Because you refuse to let go of the past? "
Rylan stepped closer, towering over her. " Because I don't trust him. And neither should you. "
She met his gaze, unyielding. " He's not our enemy, Rylan. The rogues are. "
He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. " You're too trusting, Selene. You always have been. That's what I love about you — and what will get you killed. "
His words stung. She only wanted what was best for the pack. If only he could listen and do what is right.
Selene held his bloodied arm, her face etched in concern. " Let me speak to him. Let me- "
Rylan's growl rumbled through his chest. "No".
Selene's nails dug into her palms. " You can't order me around, Rylan. "
He grabbed her wrist not rough, not gentle, but firm enough to shoot a clear message. His golden eyes darkened. " I can when it comes to your safety. And you won't go to Kieran. Promise me, Selene. "
She hesitated, heart twisting.
" Promise me, " he pressed, voice laced with something raw.
Selene swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat. " Fine. I promise. "
His shoulders relaxed slightly, but the tension between them still crackled like a coming storm. " I will meet with the elders tomorrow; I am certain they'll have a solution."
Selene scoffed. " Elders? Those old men do nothing but sit around to be worshipped like gods. What solution could they possibly offer?
His eyes burned with anger. " Do not say that, " he cautioned. " We've lived under their guidance, and I know they are powerful enough to stop Ravena and the rogues."
She breathed out in exasperation; there was no need to discuss the issue further.
Out of habit, out of love, she reached for his arm, her fingers brushing over the dried blood. " At least let me clean this up. You need — "
" No time. " He pulled away. " I can't sit here while my warriors suffer. "
Before she could argue, he turned and strode toward the other wounded fighters, leaving her standing there, fists clenched, frustration simmering beneath her skin.
She wanted to scream.
Instead, she threw herself into work. As Luna, she had a duty to care for her people.
Her heart arched, as the warriors groaned in pain. She helped some of the physicians to tend to the wounded warriors.
For how long will they keep fighting without the support of allies?
Rylan was wrong. They need allies to stop Ravena and the rogues she's leading to cause chaos.
And she feared he'd realize it too late.
Bending over a cot, she dipped a towel in a bowl of water. And began washing off blood from a warrior's face.
The warrior winced in pain.
And she flashed him a comforting smile. "Just a little moment, you'll be fine."
****
That night, Selene returned home exhausted. She forced herself into the routine — preparing dinner, setting the table, and waiting for Rylan.
But he never came.
Her phone buzzed on the counter. She snatched it up, eyes scanning the message.
Rylan: Not coming home tonight.
Selene's jaw tensed. She called him.
He picked up after the third ring. " What? "
Her chest tensed at his tone. " You're not coming back? "
" I have things to handle. "
She pressed her fingers against the counter, forcing herself to stay calm. " Rylan, you're still injured. You need rest. "
" I'll be fine. "
His dismissiveness made her grip the phone harder. " Where are you? "
Silence.
" Rylan — "
" Go to bed, Selene. "
Then the line went dead.
Selene stood there, staring at her phone, anger curling in her gut.
She wanted to throw something.
After everything that had happened today, after everything they had argued about — he wouldn't even talk to her?
She tossed the phone onto the table, rubbing her temples.
And then — she remembered.
Kieran's message.
Hours ago, she had ignored it. But now, it lingered in her mind like a whisper
She hesitated, fingers hovering over her phone.
Kieran had once been a close friend. Before Rylan, before she became Luna, politics and power made them enemies.
Rylan had demanded she sever ties with him, and she had. But Kieran had never truly let go.
She opened the message.
Kieran:We need to talk. Alone.
Her pulse pounded.
This was reckless. Dangerous.
But Rylan had dismissed her. Ignored her. He refused to listen to her.
Selene clenched her jaw.
Would one meeting really be a betrayal?
She exhaled, staring at the screen.
Her thumb hovered over the call button.
Should she?
Or should she listen to Rylan and let it go?
The choice lingered in the air, heavy, suffocating.
And then —
The phone buzzed again, a second message from Kieran: Time is running out.