Selene
The Shadowfang great hall thrummed with anticipation, its black stone walls swallowing the torchlight, casting jagged shadows across the long tables. The air was heavy with the scent of roasted venison, mead, and the sharp tang of wolf musk was a reminder that this fortress, for all its grandeur, was a den of predators. I stood in a side chamber adjusting the leather belt of my ceremonial attire, feeling the weight of the silver dagger at my hip grounding me. Tonight was no mere feast. Kaelen was coming, and I needed him to see me strong.
Draven stood nearby, his black leather tunic holding on for dear life as it stretched across his broad shoulders. His golden eyes were scanning a map of the neutral lands. He'd been all business since dawn, barking orders to his warriors about Kaelen's arrival. But now, as we waited to meet the Council of Elders, his gaze flicked to me, and he smirked. "You clean up well, huntress. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're the Luna."
I snorted, tightening the laces of my vest. "I'm in no mood for your endless flattery Draven. Save it for someone without a million problems on her mind."
He winked. "Oh, I'm saving plenty. As much as I'd love to stand here and drown in your endless charm, my beautiful queen, you'll need to somehow garner the elders' approval for this alliance to work." he added with a serious tone, "I may have the final say as Alpha, but the elders have the ability to throw a lot of problems our way if they so choose."
My jaw tightened. He wasn't wrong. As much as I hated the theatrics, Shadowfang was my only path to Dorian, so I needed to play along. But first, "What's the plan if Kaelen tries something? You've got spies in Bloodfang, fine. But how do we protect my son if this feast goes to hell?"
Draven folded the map, his expression sharpening. "My spies are already moving. They'll report Kaelen's troop positions by midnight. If he makes a move, we counter. As for Dorian, we'll wait for the perfect moment when Kaelen's distracted, then get him."
I took a step closer. "That's not good enough. I need details, Draven. Where are your spies? What's their cover? If Kaelen's got Dorian locked away, we need a fall back plan."
He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. "Trust me, I've got this handled, my beautiful huntress. Or do you want to lead the pack yourself?"
My pulse began to quicken at the close contact and I shoved him back. "Maybe. I'd probably be much better at it than you. Now keep your hands to yourself, or I'll remind you just why I'm a huntress."
His grin widened. "Damn, you look so sexy when you're threatening me."
I shot him a glare, then proceeded to the great hall. It was time to meet the elders.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We'd been there for barely thrity minutes before the chamber door swung open and a grizzled wolf in dark robes stepped through, flanked by three others. The Council of Elders, their faces carved with suspicion, their eyes boring into me like I was prey. The leader, an old woman with silver braids and a scar across her jaw, spoke first. "Selene, formerly of Bloodfang. You stand where Morwen should have."
The name hit me like a punch. Morwen.
I'd heard that name before. She was to be Luna of Shadowfang, which meant she was Draven's betrothed. My stomach twisted as the realization sank in. I'd taken her place, just as Lysandra had taken mine. The irony burned, a mirror of my own betrayal.
"Your union strengthens Shadowfang, Nightbane," the elder continued, "but she's no Morwen. Morwen was born of our blood and trained in our ways. This one reeks of Bloodfang betrayal."
My fingers grazed my dagger, but I kept my voice steady. "Judge me by my actions, not my past. I'm standing here, ready to fight and die for Shadowfang. Give me the chance, and I'll prove it."
The elders murmured, unconvinced, but one of them taised a hand and cut through the chatter, "The mating ritual has already been done so there's no going back on it." the murmurs rose but he kept talking, "However, you will have to prove you are worthy to be called Luna of this great pack."
The room quieted down and all eyes remained fixed on me. "Like I said, elders... I am ready to do anything to prove my worth. This pack is my home now and I'm ready to die protecting it."
"Good," he continued, "because as I'm sure you're aware, an Alpha can have multiple mates. If at any point we deem you unworthy, you will be replaced just as quickly as you arrived."
With that, the elders filed out, their glares lingering on me. As soon as the door closed, I rounded on Draven. "You didn't think to mention you were already promised to someone else?"
"It didn't seem relevant at the time."
I couldn't believe my ears. "Didn't seem... Can you even hear yourself?! It didn't seem relevant to mention the fact that I'd be putting another woman through the very same thing I went through at the hands of Kaelen?!"
Draven's jaw tightened, but his tone stayed calm. "Morwen's gone, Selene. She chose to leave the moment I arrived with you. It's already done."
"Done?!" I stepped closer and narrowed my eyes, "You let me walk into this blind, Nightbane. I am not your pawn, and I am not here to clean up your messes."
His eyes flashed, but he kept his voice low. "Tell me, Selene, at what point was I to mention Morwen, huh? Was it when I was helping you scare off rogues? Or during the mating ritual that happened the second we got back? Oh no... maybe it should've been when we were strategizing on how to take down your clown of an ex husband the very next day?!"
He paused, took a step closer and kept his voice low as he said, "You want your son? This is the cost. Morwen's no threat, but Kaelen is. Now stay focused.."
Just then, one of the maids coughed, cutting through our tension. We both looked over to see a young maid standing there, her face red with embarrassment.
"The preparations are in order, my lord." she said.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair and looked at me. "Fine. After the feast, we'll talk. But tonight, we face Kaelen together. Deal?"
I nodded, my chest tight. "Deal. But don't think I'm forgetting this."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The great hall was a chaos of sound and scent as the feast began. Tables groaned under platters of meat, barrels of mead lined the walls, and musicians plucked at lyres, their notes sharp against the roar of voices. Shadowfang wolves mingled uneasily with a handful of neutral pack envoys, their eyes darting to me, the outsider Luna.
I stood on the dais beside Draven, my red hair braided tight, the ceremonial dagger gleaming at my hip. He leaned close, adjusting the blade's sheath, his fingers brushing my waist longer than necessary.
"Careful, Nightbane," I muttered, my pulse betraying me. "I'm armed, and not in the mood."
He chuckled, and his smile widened. "You're always in the mood for a fight, my queen. Which is exactly why I do it."
Before I could retort, a commotion at the hall's entrance silenced the crowd. Kaelen strode in, flanked by six Bloodfang warriors, their armor gleaming with red sigils. His dark hair was swept back, his eyes locking on mine, cold and burning all at once. The mate bond surged then, so strongly that it nearly buckled my knees. I gripped the dais, forcing myself to stand tall, Draven's presence a steady anchor beside me.
Kaelen made his way to where we stood and stopped, then smiled at me. "I heard congratulations are in order, my love."
Turning to Draven, he added, "If I knew you had a thing for my sloppy seconds, Nightbane, I'd have sent over more than a dozen other ladies of the night that I've used to... entertain myself."
My blood boiled, but I kept my voice even. "Ofcourse you'd know a thing or two about whores, Kaelen, seeing as you're married to their queen. How's Lysandra's crown fitting?"
His smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened, the bond pulsing with his anger. "Careful, Selene. You're playing a dangerous game with a pup who can't protect you."
I opened my mouth but Draven stepped forward before I could say anything else. "Speak one more word to her again, and see just how much of a bite this 'pup' has." then the most lethal smile I'd ever seen crossed his lips, "Go on, Clegane, I dare you."
The hall was deathly quiet and tense, wolves gripping their tankards, ready for a fight. I placed a hand on Draven's arm, a silent signal to hold back. Kaelen's gaze flicked to the gesture, and his jaw tightened.
Then smiling, he said, "Enjoy your new throne, huntress. It won't last." and walked away.
The feast resumed, a strained dance of laughter and clinking cups, but the air crackled with danger. I scanned the crowd, spotting Veyra near a table, her scar stark in the torchlight. She'd been glaring at me all day, and now she was approaching. . "Bloodfang spy," she spat, loud enough for nearby wolves to hear. "You think you can waltz in and wear our crown?"
My hand hovered over my dagger, but I didn't draw it. Instead, I stepped into her space, my voice low and sharp. "Call me a spy again, Veyra, and I'll pin you to the floor in front of your pack."
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't back down. Draven nodded to a nearby sparring ring, a glint of amusement in his gaze. "Settle it, then. Show them, Selene."
The crowd parted, forming a circle around the ring. From the corner of my eye, I could see Kaelen stepping closer to see what the commotion was about.
Veyra lunged first, her movements swift, but I was faster. I dodged her strike, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her, forcing her to her knees. The crowd gasped, some cheering, others growling. I leaned close, my voice a whisper. "I'm your Luna now. You will learn to respect me, or the next time I won't let go until your blood paints these floors."
Veyra grunted, and I released her, stepping back as the crowd murmured. Draven clapped, his grin wide. "Well that was over quite fast. Anyone else want to test my queen?"
No one spoke. I returned to the dais, my heart pounding, and spotted Kaelen's gaze burning into me from across the hall. I ignored him and focused instead on the wolves now watching me with new eyes.
As the feast wore on, Draven leaned close, his voice a playful murmur. "You're fiercer than half my pack, my little spit fire. Keep that up, and I just might begin falling for you."
I smirked. "You say that like you aren't already."
His laugh was genuine and warm, and for a moment, the weight of Kaelen's presence lifted. But it didn't last. Suddenly, a Shadowfang scout burst through the doors, his face pale, his voice urgent as he whispered to Draven. I caught the words "ambush" and "Kaelen's forces," my blood running cold. Kaelen's attendance wasn't just a taunt, it was a trap.
I grabbed Draven's arm, my voice sharp. "What the hell is going on Draven?"
Draven's eyes met mine, his expression grim. "The west entrance to the palace has been attacked and breached. My guards were overwhelmed. They say it was an ambush."
The hall erupted into chaos as warriors scrambled, weapons drawn. I looked over and saw Kaelen already looking at me, his smile widening from across the room. He raised his glass in a mock salute and before I could blink, we were drawn into a battle