SELENA’S POV

The pack territory was nothing like I had imagined.

Rogues were supposed to live in filthiness, in tattered camps with the lingering scent of death and desperation hanging about in the atmosphere. But this place—this hidden haven—was something else entirely.

The forest opened to reveal a sprawling village nestled in a valley. Neat, and well-maintained houses arranged on the winding paths, their wooden exteriors blending harmoniously with the surrounding trees. The air smelled of pine and fresh earth, not the stench of decay I had expected. The people—wolves, I reminded myself—moved about with purpose, their faces curious but not too unkind.

It was... beautiful.

Kai led me down a narrow path, his broad figure cutting through the crowd with ease. His presence was majestic, commanding, and wherever he passed, people bowed their heads in respect, murmuring greetings that spoke of both reverence and admiration.

“Alpha.”

The title followed him like a shadow, spoken with awe from their pack members. It was clear that Kai was more than just a leader to them. He was their protector, their guide. And yet, as I walked beside him, casually at that, I felt none of the respect they seemed to feel for him.

The silence that has been since the time in the forest, remained between us until I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Am I being too disrespectful?” I asked, enduring that there was teasing lilt in my voice. “I mean, walking beside you like this, not bowing or groveling like everyone else?”

Kai glanced at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Do you feel like you should be groveling?”

I laughed softly. “No. But it seems like everyone else does.”

He slowed his pace, turning to face me fully. “Being held in high regard can get... boring sometimes.” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “But don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.”

I arched an eyebrow, trying to suppress a stifling laughter from echoing out of my mouth. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it, Alpha.”

He chuckled out a rich and genuine sound, and for a moment, the weight that my inner wolf had been carrying since the fight seemed to lift, leaving but of us light. It was easy to forget who he was—what he was—when he was like this: playful, almost carefree.

We continued walking, and Kai pointed out various landmarks. There was a training ground where wolves went into combat with one another, their movements fierce. There was a gathering hall that looked more like an ancient temple, its stone walls looked rough but strong. And finally, there was a marketplace where vendors sold everything from fresh produce to handmade jewelry.

Despite everything I had heard about rogues, this place felt... alive. There was a sense of community here, of belonging, that I hadn’t expected.

“This isn’t what I thought a rogue territory would look like,” I admitted.

Kai glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “We’re not like the stories they tell,” he said simply. “We’re not mindless killers.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I let my gaze sweep over the village, taking in the warmth and vibrancy of it all despite it being in the night. It was far too peaceful, too serene, to fit the image I had in my head.

Kai led me to a small house at the edge of the village, its exterior simple but welcoming. “This will be your home for now,” he said, opening the door.

I stepped inside, the scent of pine stronger here. The interior was modest but cozy—wooden floors, a stone fireplace, and a bed that looked far more comfortable than anything I had slept on in weeks.

“You’ll be safe here,” Kai said, his tone softer now.

Safe. The word felt foreign to me. I hadn’t felt safe in a long time and I had no reason why.

“Thank you,” I said, meeting his gaze with my grateful ones.

Kai nodded, but there was something in his eyes—something unreadable—that made me uneasy. He stayed at the entrance for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but then he turned and left, leaving me alone in the quiet.

I sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling slowly. My muscles ached from the fight, but it was a familiar pain, one I could handle. It was the other pain—the one lurking in the corners of my mind—that I feared.

And then, the memories came in flashes.

I wasn’t sure when they started—probably, I must've dozed off sometime—but they hit me like lightning bolts, sharp and sudden. Images of betrayal, of blood and extreme pain. A voice screaming—not my own voice, but mine at the same time. And always, always, the sensation of a blade plunging into my chest. They all played so real in my head.

I gripped the edge of the bed, my nails digging into the wood as the memory consumed me.

It wasn’t like the dreams I have had before, the ones where I watched from a cold angle. This time, it was real.

I felt the blade.

I felt the searing pain as it tore through my flesh. Damn, I felt the warmth of my own blood spilling over my hands. I gasped, my body curling inward as if it could shield me from the memory.

The room blurred, the walls spinning as I tried to breathe through the pain. But it was useless. It hurt—it hurt so much.

And then I screamed.

The sound tore from my throat, raw and loud filling the small room. It wasn’t just the pain of the past—it was the fear, the betrayal, the agony of reliving it all over again.

And it felt so real.