The forest was quiet, an eerie calm settling over Kael's territory. Selene couldn't shake the tension that had been building since Rylan's outburst the night before. The pack was on edge, and Kael had grown more withdrawn, his focus entirely on uncovering the traitor in their midst.
Damon had been tasked with watching over Selene, and though his usual sarcasm lightened the mood, she could tell even he was worried.
"Any chance we're blowing this whole 'spy in the pack' thing out of proportion?" Selene asked as they walked along the edge of the territory.
Damon snorted. "Not likely. Kael's instincts are rarely wrong, and the fact that Magnus's wolves are getting bolder doesn't exactly scream coincidence."
Selene frowned, hugging her arms to her chest. "So what do we do?"
"We wait," Damon said, though the tightness in his voice betrayed his frustration. "Kael's playing the long game, which means keeping you safe until we know who's feeding Magnus information."
Selene didn't respond. She hated the idea of waiting, of sitting on the sidelines while Kael and the pack bore the brunt of Magnus's attacks.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of movement in the trees. Damon froze, his head snapping toward the sound, his body tense.
"What is it?" Selene whispered.
Damon held up a hand, signaling her to stay quiet. Moments later, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
It was Rylan.
Selene's stomach twisted as she saw the scowl on his face.
"Relax," Damon said, though his tone was far from friendly. "You lost?"
Rylan ignored him, his eyes fixed on Selene. "Kael's looking for you," he said curtly.
Damon's brow furrowed. "Funny, he didn't mention that to me."
"I'm not talking to you," Rylan snapped.
Selene took a step back, unease prickling at her skin. Something about Rylan's tone was off—his usual hostility toward her was sharper, more focused.
"Damon," she said quietly, her eyes darting toward him.
Damon caught the warning in her voice and stepped between them. "If Kael has something to say to her, he can tell me himself."
Rylan's lip curled into a snarl. "You're always in the way, aren't you?"
Before Damon could respond, Rylan lunged.
---
The fight was fast and brutal. Rylan shifted mid-leap, his hulking wolf form slamming into Damon. The two tumbled to the ground, teeth and claws flashing in the dim light.
Selene stumbled back, her heart racing as she watched them struggle. Damon was holding his own, but Rylan's attacks were ferocious, driven by a rage that bordered on madness.
"Run!" Damon barked, his voice muffled by the clash of jaws.
Selene hesitated, torn between staying and fleeing. But before she could make a decision, another wolf appeared—a rogue, its dark fur bristling as it emerged from the shadows.
Selene's blood turned to ice. This wasn't just an attack—it was a setup.
The rogue's eyes locked onto her, and it lunged. Selene scrambled back, her hands searching for something—anything—to defend herself. Her fingers closed around a jagged rock, and she swung it with all her strength, striking the wolf across the snout.
The wolf yelped, but it didn't stop. It circled her, its movements predatory, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Damon, still locked in combat with Rylan, growled in frustration. "Kael!" he roared.
---
The sound of snapping branches and pounding footsteps filled the air as Kael burst into the clearing, his silver fur gleaming under the moonlight. He didn't hesitate—he launched himself at the rogue, his jaws clamping down on its neck with terrifying force.
The rogue crumpled under the weight of Kael's attack, its body limp as Kael tossed it aside.
Rylan froze, his golden eyes wide as he realized he was outnumbered.
"Shift," Kael commanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Rylan hesitated but obeyed, his wolf form melting away to reveal his human one. He stood with his hands raised, blood trickling from a gash on his temple.
"You betrayed us," Kael said, his voice cold.
Rylan sneered. "You betrayed us first. You put her above the pack." He jabbed a finger at Selene, his eyes filled with hatred.
Kael's growl rumbled in his chest, but Selene stepped forward, her heart pounding. "If it's me you want, then take me," she said, her voice trembling.
Kael turned to her, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief. "Selene, no—"
"This is about me, isn't it?" she continued, ignoring him. "Magnus wants me because of the bond. If giving myself up will stop him from hurting anyone else, then I'll do it."
"No," Kael said fiercely, his eyes blazing. "I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself for this pack."
"This isn't your choice," Selene said, meeting his gaze. "I won't let anyone else suffer because of me."
"Selene—"
"I'm not worth losing everything for!" she shouted, her voice breaking.
Kael's expression softened, his anger giving way to raw emotion. "You are," he said quietly. "You're worth everything."
Selene's breath caught, her resolve wavering. But before she could respond, Rylan let out a bitter laugh.
"Touching," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "But it's too late for that."
Kael's growl deepened, but Rylan turned and bolted, disappearing into the trees before anyone could stop him.
---
Back at the den, Kael paced furiously, his hands clenched into fists. Damon leaned against the wall, his usual humor replaced by grim determination.
"He'll run straight to Magnus," Damon said. "It's only a matter of time before they strike again."
Kael's jaw tightened. "We need to prepare."
"And Selene?" Damon asked, his gaze flicking to her.
Kael stopped pacing, his blue eyes locking onto hers. "She stays close," he said firmly.
Selene's chest tightened. "Kael—"
"No," he said, cutting her off. "I won't lose you, Selene. Not to Magnus. Not to anyone."
The raw conviction in his voice left her breathless.
As the pack prepared for the inevitable battle, Selene couldn't shake the feeling that her decision to stay might change everything.