Ronan didn't know how to feel seeing Selene again. A storm of emotions clouded his thoughts. Should he be angry, knowing she had been working with the enemy all along?
Should he hate her?
Should he kill her?
She was Elliot Wynter's daughter, after all. She had been sent to kill him. Shouldn't he strike first—end her before she had the chance?
But then why did his heart flip at the sight of her? Why did his body, injured and aching, suddenly feel weightless? Why did the searing pain in his chest and shoulders seem to fade the moment their eyes met?
She stepped toward him, dropping silently to her knees. Her gaze was soft as she reached up and gently cupped his face — a touch so tender it disarmed him.
"I'm so glad you're alive," she whispered, and before he could process her words, her lips brushed his.
Soft and incredibly gentle.
He stiffened.
Her scent—jasmines and wild lilies—wrapped around him like a memory he'd tried to forget. His hands clenched the mat beneath him.
He didn't kiss her back.
Travis stood awkwardly for a moment before quietly excusing himself. "I'll be outside," he said, his voice gruff with emotion, and left them alone.
Ronan didn't speak. He just stared at her, searching her face, searching for answers. For truth. For a lie.
Selene knew something was wrong. But she couldn't guess what.
"You must be in so much pain," she murmured, her eyes drifting to the spear still embedded in his chest. "We need to get you back to the castle. But first, let me take the spear out. I'll ask the villagers for more bandages and cloth. You'll bleed, but I can stop it, I can—"
Her words vanished as Ronan seized her face and kissed her.
This time, it wasn't gentle.
It was fierce. Starved. Punishing.
Selene let out a muffled sound of shock, her body frozen against his. He kissed her like a man clinging to life, like someone dying of thirst finally tasting water. There was nothing sweet about it. It was need Rage. Possession.
She gasped against his lips, stunned by the force of it. She tried to pull away, but his hands held her firmly in place, surprisingly strong despite his wounds.
When he finally released her, her breath came in shallow bursts. Her heart thundered in her chest.
"I've missed you, Wife," he began, voice raw. "And I don't care who you are. All that matters is that you came to me willingly."
Then his tone dropped, his eyes darkening.
"Now, I'm never letting you go."
Selene's breath caught in her throat.
There was something in his voice that made her spine stiffen.
She stared at him, stunned to her very soul. Her lips parted, unsure of what to say. His words confused and scared her..
But before she could speak, Travis burst through the door, breathless.
"You have visitors."
***********
"Where is King Ronan Dain!" Klaus roared, standing at the heart of the village, his voice echoing like thunder across the quiet village. Villagers backed away in fear, clutching their children, while the royal army immediately stepped forward, swords drawn.
"We know he's here," Klaus went on, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Bring him out, and we might just spare the rest of you. We only want the King."
Melisse stood beside him, calm and amused. She tilted her head, eyes glinting with evil as a slow, unhinged smile spread across her face.
"If I were you…" she said, her voice silky, dangerous, "I wouldn't draw those swords." Her lip curled. "You'll only die faster."
The soldiers stood their ground, but unease rippled through their ranks like a chill wind.
At that moment, the door to the healer's hut creaked open, and Selene stepped out, sword at her side. Travis followed, tense and alert.
Melisse's eyes landed on Selene and her smile widened with delight.
"Well, well," she purred. "So the chosen one is a traitor. Master Thaddeus will not be very happy about this."
Travis frowned and turned to Selene. "What is she talking about?"
Selene didn't answer. She stepped forward, gaze locked on Melisse.
"I told you," Selene said coldly. "The next time we met, I'd kill you."
Melisse threw her head back and laughed. "Not if I kill you first."
Selene unsheathed her sword in one clean motion. She moved closer, boots crunching against the dirt, her expression cold.
Melisse grinned wider, raising her hands slowly.
"Listen," she whispered, voice low but ringing with power. Her eyes began to glow, bright red. "Listen to the words of Melisse—"
Around them, villagers stiffened. The Soldiers also. One by one, their eyes began to glow too. Hands trembled. Blades wavered in the soldiers' grips.
"Kill yourse—"
A sound split the air.
Thwip.
The heavy whistle of something fast—cutting through the wind.
Ronan's spear, hurled from the doorway with all the strength he could muster, spun through the sky like a silver blur. It struck Melisse square in the chest, punching through her with brutal force.
Her eyes went wide.
No words. No scream.
Just silence.
She crumpled to the ground, dead before she hit it.
The glow vanished from the villagers' and soldiers' eyes. Everyone gasped, some collapsing in relief. A ripple of disbelief passed through the crowd.
Ronan stood in the doorway, swaying slightly, blood staining his chest. He looked like death, yet somehow—like a king.
He met Klaus's eyes with a hard, cold stare.
"Try me next," Ronan growled.
"No!" Klaus roared, voice breaking with rage as he rushed to Melisse's side.
But it was too late.
The spear had pierced straight through her chest—Melisse was gone. Her eyes were still open, lips parted like she was about to speak. But there was nothing. Just stillness.
Klaus dropped to his knees beside her, cradling her lifeless body, trembling with fury. His hands were soaked in her blood.
Then he looked up.
His gaze locked on Ronan, on Selene, on the stunned villagers and soldiers around them.
"I'll kill you all," Klaus growled, his voice raw with grief and venom.
His body began to convulse violently.
Cracking.
Splitting.
Twisting.
People screamed.
Bones snapped as his limbs stretched unnaturally, muscles bulging, skin tearing and reshaping into thick, matted fur. His mouth elongated into a snout full of jagged fangs. His hands turned into claws. His eyes burned bright gold with primal rage.
Gasps and horrified whispers rippled through the crowd as Klaus grew taller… larger… monstrous.
Within moments, standing where Klaus once knelt, was something out of nightmares.
A direwolf.
Towering. Massive. Foaming at the mouth.
Fur as black as midnight. Eyes blazing like wildfire.
The beast threw back its head and let out a blood-curdling howl that shook the earth.
Villagers ran for cover.
Soldiers hesitated, unsure whether to fight or flee.
Ronan didn't move.
Selene stepped in front of him, sword drawn, her face pale but steady.
Travis swore under his breath. "We're going to die, aren't we?"