The clearing was silent, save for the crackling of dying embers from the fire Rowan had lit earlier. Selene's gaze didn't waver from Kian as his sharp, golden eyes bore into her, demanding an answer she wasn't ready to give. The weight of his question settled heavily between them, as if the air itself had thickened in defiance of her composure.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Selene," he said finally, his voice low, steady, but with a rough edge that spoke of tightly held restraint.
The past few weeks of careful maneuvering, subtle manipulations, and desperate attempts to alter her fate had led to this moment. For the first time in countless loops, she felt truly exposed. Kian wasn't Rowan—his perceptive nature and refusal to play into her schemes made him a more formidable force than any adversary she'd faced.
"What game am I playing, exactly?" she replied, her voice cool despite the storm brewing inside her.
Kian stepped closer, his presence an unspoken challenge. "You're hiding something," he said. "I see it in the way you watch everyone like a hawk. You calculate every word, every move. Whatever it is, you're walking a tightrope, and I need to know if you're going to drag me down with you."
The truth hovered on the tip of her tongue. She wanted to tell him everything—the loops, the betrayals, the curse. But the memory of Rowan's smirk, the sting of his betrayal, and the cold touch of death held her back. Trusting Kian meant risking more than her plans; it meant risking herself.
Instead, she tilted her chin up defiantly. "I didn't ask for your help, Kian. If you feel like I'm dragging you down, you're free to walk away."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Kian's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable, and then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the forest.
Selene exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging as tension she hadn't realized she was holding began to ebb. She had expected anger or more questions, not his quiet retreat.
She turned toward the embers, crouching beside them as her mind raced. There wasn't much time before Rowan's plans for the Caelum estate unfolded. His schemes were intricate, and while she had knowledge of their outcomes, the specifics still eluded her. Every detail mattered now.
The distant howl of wolves snapped her from her thoughts. The sound wasn't unfamiliar, but it carried a foreboding note that set her nerves on edge.
"Kian," she murmured under her breath, already rising to follow the sound.
The forest seemed alive with shadows, the canopy above blocking out what little moonlight there was. Selene moved swiftly, her senses heightened. Every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves made her pause, her heart pounding as the looming presence of danger closed in.
When she reached the edge of a rocky ridge, she froze. Below her, a group of figures gathered near a shallow cave. The flickering light of torches illuminated their faces—faces she recognized.
Tobias Vance stood at the center, Rowan's Beta, his posture rigid with authority. Beside him was Rhea Blackthorn, her crimson hair gleaming in the firelight like spilled blood. The sight of her sent a fresh wave of unease coursing through Selene.
Rhea and Tobias were dangerous on their own, but together? They were deadly.
Selene crouched low, straining to hear their conversation.
"Rowan is growing impatient," Rhea said, her voice sharp and cutting. "If she doesn't deliver soon, he'll move to... alternative measures."
Tobias snorted. "She doesn't know what she's playing with. Let her dangle a little longer—it'll only make her easier to crush."
Selene's hands clenched into fists. This wasn't the first time she had overheard Tobias speaking about her as if she were nothing more than a pawn to be discarded, but the venom in his tone struck a nerve every time.
"Keep the pressure on her," Rhea continued. "But don't make your moves too soon. If she catches wind of what's really happening, the entire plan could fall apart."
Selene's heart skipped a beat. What did they mean by what's really happening?
She shifted slightly, trying to get a better angle without drawing attention to herself, but a loose rock gave way beneath her foot, clattering noisily down the slope.
Both Tobias and Rhea snapped their heads up toward the sound.
"Who's there?" Tobias barked, his hand already going to the dagger at his side.
Selene pressed herself flat against the ground, her mind racing. If they found her, it would be over—whatever advantage she had gained through secrecy would be lost.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the woods, and she tensed. Then, to her astonishment, another figure emerged from the shadows.
It was Kian.
"Looking for me?" Kian's voice was calm, almost lazy, as he stepped into the light of the torches.
Selene bit back a gasp. What was he doing here?
Rhea's lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, the rogue Alpha. What brings you to our little gathering?"
"I could ask you the same," Kian replied smoothly. "Plotting something fun, are we?"
Tobias narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious. "What do you want, Draven?"
Kian shrugged, his nonchalance both infuriating and impressive. "Just taking a stroll and heard some familiar voices. Thought I'd join the party."
Selene's heart pounded as she watched the exchange. Kian was buying her time, distracting them, but how long could he keep it up?
Rhea took a step closer to him, her smirk widening. "Careful, Kian. You might find yourself in over your head."
Kian's smile didn't falter. "I've been in worse situations."
As they continued their verbal sparring, Selene's mind raced. She needed to use this distraction to her advantage, to uncover more about their plans or find a way to escape without drawing attention.
Then, Tobias said something that froze her in place.
"She won't live long enough to figure it out," he sneered. "By the time we're done, the Caelum brat will be begging for death."
The cold certainty in his tone sent a chill down her spine. Whatever they were planning, it was worse than she had imagined.
Kian's eyes flickered, the golden hue darkening with barely restrained fury. "You'd better be careful with threats like that," he said quietly. "You never know who might be listening."
For a moment, silence fell over the group, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Then, without warning, Rhea lunged at Kian, claws bared.
Selene's breath caught as chaos erupted below her.
Currently Selene caught between her fear of discovery and the growing urge to intervene as the fight below escalates, the knowledge of Tobias and Rhea's plans burning in her mind. If she waited too long, it might be too late to save Kian—or herself.