Marcus sidled up, muttering, "You're distracted. If Shadowfang gets embarrassed tonight because of this "
Michael's wolf snarled, silent and dangerous. "Watch it."
Marcus zipped it, smart guy quick. He could feel the storm brewing.
Michael let out this shaky breath, like his whole body was knotted up and pulling in twelve directions. She's mine. But nope can't have her. Not now. Not like this. Timing's a cruel joke.
The crowd finally scattered, blurry and buzzing, and Selene slipped away toward her tent, Maren hauling her along like a drill sergeant on a mission.
"Stay inside. Shut your trap. Let the night roll over you and pretend none of this ever existed," Maren snapped, not messing around.
Selene tugged free, hair wild, voice a little lost in the dark. "How am I supposed to forget when every single breath is just screaming his name?"
Maren's tough act cracked for a second, her voice all raw and desperate. "Then fight it, Selene! Or it's gonna swallow you whole and spit you back out!"
Selene just whispered, shaking, barely there. "I don't know if I can."
And then, a blast of heat. Like a spotlight found her in the dark, burning straight through.
She turned around.
Michael, watching her. Only for a second, just long enough for her wolf to wake up, wild and howling.
Then he turned away, dissolving into shadow.
Something inside her snapped, sharp as broken glass.
Maren's voice drifted through the dark, gentle as a ghost: "You see? He walked away. That's your answer."
Selene shook her head, tears blurring everything. "No. That was just the beginning.
Drums started up before the sun could even finish dipping below the trees. Low, heavy, like the earth itself was thumping along. Every beat? Selene felt it squeezing her chest tighter and tighter.
"They're here," someone whispered, barely more than a gust of wind.
The Moonveil wolves spilled into the clearing torches popping up everywhere, casting weird shadows. Red lanterns swayed from the branches, glowing all creepy under that rising blood moon. Wolves pressed in so close you could probably taste their breath in the air.
Selene hung back, fists knotted in her cloak. She couldn't get her heart to chill out.
"You're shaking," Maren muttered, nudging her.
"I'm fine," Selene spat out, maybe a little too quickly.
"Yeah, right. You look like a ghost. Selene, if you faint in front of Shadowfang "
"I won't." She cut her off, trying to sound tough. Her eyes were traitors, though, snapping everywhere, searching for what, exactly?
And then. There they were.
Shadowfang wolves streamed in, every one of them moving like a well-oiled nightmare. Their black-and-silver cloaks shimmered in the torchlight, every step screaming power. And at the front Michael.
Selene forgot to breathe.
He was taller than she remembered, broad-shouldered, all command and dark shine. His hair, his presence it was like gravity itself bent around him.
The Moonveil wolves started whispering, some awed, others definitely not fans. Selene barely registered any of it.
Her chest burned. All those stolen glances at border fights? Child's play compared to this.
Maren elbowed her, hard. "Selene. Stop staring."
"I can't."
"Then close your mouth, at least, before someone sees."
Selene pressed her lips together, eyes still betraying her at every turn.
Michael moved like the night itself smooth, unhurried, dangerous. His pack trailed behind him, a river of shadows. Then he stopped. Just halted.
He looked straight at her.
Selene froze, lightning and wildfire hitting her all at once. The bond snapped awake, burning through her veins. Her wolf inside went wild howling, leaping. Mate.
She staggered, breath ripped from her chest.
Michael's golden eyes went wide; his mask slipped. His wolf slammed against him, hungry. Ours. Claim her. Now.
Selene's lips parted, heart screaming his name no sound came out.
"Selene!" Maren grabbed her, shaking her. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Selene's hands shook so badly that she could barely speak. "He he's…"
"What?"
Her voice cracked into pieces. "He's my mate."
Maren's eyes went wide. "No. No, no, no. Don't say that out loud!" She yanked Selene into the shadows, voice desperate. "Do you want to die right here?"
Selene's eyes burned. "I feel it. The bond. The Goddess chose him."
Maren shook her again, panic in her voice. "She cursed you, Selene. Michael Vale's Shadowfang's Alpha! Do you even know what that means?"
Selene grabbed her chest, heart thrashing like a wild animal. "I don't care. He's he's mine."
Across the clearing, Michael's fists clenched. His wolf roared inside, demanding, clawing. Take her!
But Michael's mind was a steel wall. Not here. Not now. If I claim her now, she's done for. We're both done.
Marcus, his Beta, leaned in. "Why are you staring at that nobody in the back? Don't tell me she's caught your eye."
Michael's glare shut him up quick. Too late, though. Eyes started turning, whispers spreading. Selene shrank back, melting into the shadows.
Moonveil's Alpha raised his hands, voice booming. "Tonight, beneath the blood moon, we honor the Goddess who gave us wolves, bonds, and strength!"
Everyone howled, the trees joining in. Selene bowed her head, whispering the prayer, but her mind was a tangled knot of Michael.
And he was still watching her.
The bond flared again, so sharp it nearly knocked her over. She wobbled, clutching Maren's arm.
Michael's wolf went feral. She's weak. They hurt her. She doesn't belong here. Take her!
Michael forced his eyes away, the bond snapping.
Selene gasped, pain tearing through her like claws. Tears blurred her vision.
Maren hissed, "See? He's already rejecting you. Here's your answer. Forget him."
Selene shook her head, voice raw. "You don't understand. I can't forget. My wolf, my heart, it's him."
Maren squeezed her shoulders. "Then you're doomed."
The ceremony dragged on chants, offerings, all washing over Selene like static. All she could feel was Michael's gaze, the empty ache when he looked away.
Finally, the last howl faded. Wolves sc
attered to feast, drink, and dance. Selene tried to vanish toward her tent, but the bond yanked her up short.