At Vulfen

I stepped outside to get some fresh air, but Damien quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me

back inside. My heart stuttered, and for a moment I wondered if he’d sensed the storm of

emotions inside me. Moments later, two wolves knocked on the door. Damien opened it, and the

moment they stepped in, they caught the scent of my blood.

“Is a Bloodmoon wolf in this building?” one of them asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“No. No, no, no, no,

” Damien replied quickly, his tone calm but firm.

Bloodmoon wolf into my home?”

“Why would I welcome a

“Well, you’re right,

” one of them said, though I could see the curiosity lingering in their eyes.

Damien excused himself, went to the kitchen, and returned with a bottle of red blood wine. But

before serving them, he handed me a small jar.

“Take this jelly,

” he whispered, his fingers brushing mine.

“Rub it all over your body.

”

I hesitated for just a heartbeat, then obeyed. The coolness of the jelly spread over my skin,

masking my scent. He then poured the drinks, chatting casually with his friends, the room filled

with the low hum of laughter. I stayed in Damien’s room, doing nothing, until they finally left.

“They’re gone,

” Damien called softly.

I walked out, frowning.

“Why did you give me that jelly to rub on my skin?”

He smiled, a faint curve of warmth that reached his eyes.

“My mom once told me that

Bloodmoon wolves can walk anywhere without being detected by other packs if they apply that

jelly. Your father didn’t teach you that?”

I shook my head.

“No no he didn't. I envy your mom, Damien.

”

His expression softened.

don’t ever feel bad. I’m here for you.

”

“Listen, I know your mom is gone. I don’t know exactly how it feels, but

I looked at him, protective, strong, and calm. Something inside me eased.

mom said your grandfather was a Bloodmoon wolf… why is she here, then?”

“I remember your

Damien leaned back against the wall, the dim lantern light tracing the edges of his face.

“No one

in this town knows she’s a Bloodmoon wolf because she always applies that jelly before

stepping outside. Her father, an Alpha, wanted her to marry the son of his friend, but the

Moonlight Goddess paired her with someone else. She couldn’t reject him, she’s a female, and

rejections work differently for females. Her father and brother made her life a living nightmare.

She ran away, leaving no trace. I still wonder why her brother never came looking for her.

”

I swallowed hard, the pieces clicking into place. Adrian’s father, Roderick, is Clara's brother.

That meant Damien and Adrian are cousins. My heart lurched with a mix of disbelief and

apprehension. I love Damien, but the Moonlight Goddess had paired me with Adrian. Was I

destined to end up in the Alpha’s family no matter what?

Damien noticed my distraction.

“Selena, what are you thinking about?”

I couldn’t tell him. All I said was,

“You told me you’d support me… so I’ll support you too.

”

He kept looking at me, and I avoided his gaze shyly, until he gently lifted my chin. His eyes

locked on mine, his hand warm against my cheek. My chest fluttered, every heartbeat pounding

in my ears.

It happened slowly. Soft howls of the forest outside, gentle touches, his claws brushing mine,

and then his lips meeting mine. He tasted like strawberries. Every nerve in my body alight, every

fear melting away into trust.

We mated that night, in his house, on his bed. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, soft

and golden, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. For the first time, I felt

completely seen and cherished, yet an undercurrent of uncertainty tugged at my mind. Would he

act differently after this… or stay the same?

Back at Lupinia

Meanwhile, Luna seethed.

“Why do you hate me? Why don’t you want me to be your mate?

Why can’t you even look at me?” Her voice trembled with anger and hurt.

Adrian’s reply was cold.

“You’re twenty, Luna. Don’t you think there’s a reason the Goddess

didn’t give you a mate? And now you want to do what? Force yourself to be mine?”

Her eyes flashed, glinting with fury.

life like I do!”

“What do you even see in her? She doesn’t have a perfect

“She doesn’t,

” Adrian admitted, his gaze steady.

given a mate by the Goddess. And you think it’s going to be me?”

“But you, who have everything, still weren’t

Luna stormed away, fuming, and immediately called her father, Leo. Leo immediately called

Roderick with a warning saying,

“If Adrian doesn’t marry Luna, there will be war in Lupinia”

.

Dora, Adrian’s sister, overheard the tension and ran to their mother.

called. When Dad hung up, he looked… angry.

”

“Mom, Luna’s dad just

Nivienne didn’t waste a second. She hurried to Roderick’s study.

“What happened?”

Roderick’s tone was heavy, controlled but tight.

will be war.

”

“Leo says if Adrian doesn’t marry Luna, there

Before she could respond, Fenris burst in, shouting with barely contained fury,

“I have been

loyal to your family! You should have allowed your son to be my daughter’s mate. Now I haven’t

seen her for a week! Alpha Roderick, find my daughter!”

Roderick’s face was unreadable, but he barked orders to three guards without hesitation,

“Arrest

him”

.

“Why did you do that?” Nivienne demanded, her voice edged with alarm. But Roderick left

without another word, the weight of his authority pressing down like a shadow.

Meanwhile, Dora asked Adrian quietly,

“Any trace of Selena yet?”

“No,

” he whispered, tension knotting his shoulders. He wanted desperately to find her, but with

his father against him, his hands were tied.

Luna decided to act herself, interrogating my friends to gather information, but no one knew

where I was. That is, until she found Rowena.

“I don’t know where she went,

” Rowena said, shaking her head.

Lupinia border.

”

“But I saw her crossing the

Luna smirked, anticipation gleaming in her eyes. She’s in another town, beyond our reach.

By evening, Roderick had announced the wedding to the entire town. Adrian didn’t speak, not to

object, not to agree. He only smiled faintly, a shadow of frustration and determination flitting

across his features. His plan was falling into place, but he would not let it stop him.

Days passed. Damien and I grew inseparable. Clara’s initial coldness melted into warmth as she

watched us together. Damien shared everything with me, his day, his thoughts, his worries. He

made me feel safe in a way my own father never had.

One morning, I tried to extend my claws, testing my body as I moved through the sunlit room.

Nothing happened. Again, I tried, focusing all my energy. Still nothing.

That’s when I realized.

I was pregnant.

It had only been one night. Only one night, and yet my body told me a story I couldn’t ignore. My

pulse quickened, my mind raced with questions, Would Damien want children? Would he want

to raise a child whose mother was a Bloodmoon wolf? And what about Adrian… the mate the

Goddess had chosen for me?

The uncertainty gnawed at me, a delicious terror that made every heartbeat feel both heavy and

alive.

I clutched my belly gently, whispering to myself,

“What am I supposed to do now?”

Damien appeared behind me, I was a bit scared that he had known I was pregnant for him, until

he said,

“Selena, what are we having for dinner ”

I let out a shaky breath with words saying,

the kitchen with thoughts in my head.

“I prepared porridge rice and dried meat”

. I went into

And for the first time since the Moonlight Ceremony, I felt… ready.