Selene
Selene stood frozen, stunned by how quickly the blood sprayed the moment Lucian shifted into his wolf form. The other Lycans followed instinctively, tearing through men, women and even children. Screams filled the air, drowned only by the sound of bones snapping and flesh being ripped apart.
She ran toward a row of benches where children cried, their mothers torn in half before their eyes.
"Get under the table!" she shouted, pushing them beneath the wooden frame, her voice cracking. "Don't look, just close your eyes!"
A massive wolf lunged at her. In a swift motion, she pulled the dagger hidden in her heel and slashed its throat the instant he was about to pounce on her, shielding the child behind her. Hot blood splattered across her skin.
Her heart pounded like war drums. She'd heard stories of battles, but nothing prepared her for the raw, unfiltered horror before her.
Then a voice, familiar and desperate cut through the chaos.
"Selene! Get under the table!"
Her head snapped around. Valamir. Her father.
She turned, eyes darting. Blood and bodies everywhere. Screams blurred into growls, steel against fang. Everything was painted in red.
Where was he?
Where was her mother?
If only Sebastian were here…
Her body trembled, knees weak, hands shaking, but still she stood, forcing herself to scan the carnage.
Then, she saw him.
Lucian's massive wolf form was on top of her father, claws buried deep in his chest.
Her mind went blank with fear.
She had already lost her brother in the last battle. And now, her father?
No. Not again.
She moved before she could think, rushing forward and shoving herself between the beast and Valamir's bloodied body. Her hands pushed against Lucian's chest, trying to move him, trying to save what was left.
He growled, low and guttural, fangs bared inches from her face. But something in his eyes flickered, restraint. His claws retracted, just slightly.
Before she could process any thoughts or make another move, she was sent flying across the room, and her eyes went shut.
*******
"Selene!! Are you okay? Can you hear me?" A familiar voice called, bringing her back to consciousness.
Her eyes flickered open slowly. The wavy glistering black long hair falling off broad shoulders. She was being carried by someone. She could feel the pump of his arms and a slightly strong grip on her thighs and shoulder as he moved. Her eyes fluttered shut as darkness claimed her
*******
Selene's eyes opened slowly. The faint sound of someone sobbing reached her ears.
"We need to wake her up! If we don't do something, he'll die soon," came a female voice—urgent, strained.
Die? Who would die?
She sat up in bed, blinking at the unfamiliar heaviness in her limbs. She was in her chambers… but the air reeked of blood.
"Who's there? What's going on? Who would die?" Her voice cracked, each word trembling from her lips.
The door burst open.
"Selene!" her mother cried, face swollen and blotched from tears. She rushed forward, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"My baby girl…"
Selene froze. Baby girl? When was the last time anyone had called her that?
She leaned back, searching her mother's eyes. Something wasn't right.
"Who would die?" she asked again, more firmly this time, pulling out of her mother's arms.
"You need to help him, Selene. You need to help your father," her mother said, eyes already swollen with grief, like the man was dead.
Wait—that's right. She'd tried to stop Lucian, but the bite had already been delivered before she got to him.
"How long have I been out?!" Selene screamed, jumping down from the bed. Her head rang instantly, and she collapsed to her knees. Her legs couldn't hold her. Her right leg was tightly wrapped in cloth.
"Careful, Selene," came that familiar voice again as he rushed to her side, catching her just before she hit the ground.
The grip. It felt familiar.
She looked up.
Cassian.
She pulled away from him, fast. "How long have I been out?!" she screamed again, this time at him.
"Just a day, my princess," came the voice of a woman from outside as she opened the door.
Selene pushed herself up, shifting all her weight to her left foot. "Take me to him," she demanded, eyes locked on Cassian.
He picked her up like she weighed nothing and headed toward the door.
"Please, Selene. Please!" her mother cried behind them.
"What happened while I was out? Where have you been?" she asked Cassian as he carried her down the corridor toward her father's chamber.
"Let's not talk about this, Selene. Not now," he said, his voice soft.
"You weren't there for the wedding. I didn't see you during the chaos either. Where were you, Cassian?!" Her voice rose, pushing through her frustration.
He moved instantly, faster than she could process. Then he stopped.
"We're here," he said calmly as he gently set her down.
She turned to him, shocked. "What is wrong with you, Cassian?" Her heart pounded from the speed of his movement—too fast, too silent.
"Selene."
A voice called from inside the chamber. Her head snapped toward the door as it opened.
Lady Isolde, Lord Alaric Thornfell, and a few council members stood solemnly before a body on the bed.
The stench of rot filled the air.
Before she could turn to look back—Cassian was gone.
She limped forward, slowly, her body trembling as her eyes fell on the almost lifeless figure. "Father!" she cried, tears slipping down her cheek.
He lay pale on the bed, skin drained of blood. His neck—nearly torn open. His heart beat faintly in the open wound in his chest.
"Why isn't he healing?!" Selene's voice roared through the chamber.
"He doesn't have much time, Selene. We need the blood of the Lycan King," Lord Alaric said, his gaze heavy.
She turned to him, seething. "What do you mean? Hasn't he caused enough destruction?"
"Calm down, my princess," Lady Isolde said.
"We need the blood of the Lycan King to save your father… or he will be lost." Her voice was cold, steady.
Whispers began to ripple through the chamber.
"Wait! What makes you think he would help? He just tried to kill us all. Don't you think?!"
Selene's voice thundered as she lunged, grabbing Lady Isolde by the throat.