Selene pov

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to steady my breathing. My heart was racing. “Why did she have to be exchanged for you?”

Kael lifted a hand, his voice low but firm. “Calm down and listen.”

I clenched my fists under the table.

“Two days before I found you,” he continued, “Moonshade Pack reached out. They had Elara… but they weren’t willing to let her return for nothing. It’s called a life trade.”

I stared at him, stunned. “And you just ...