Selene's boots crunched on frozen leaves as she hurried through the forest. The moon hung like a silver eye in the sky, watching her every move. Something felt wrong.
The night air was too quiet. No birds sang. No insects buzzed. She froze, holding her breath. The hairs on her neck stood up. I'm being watched..
A twig snapped behind her. Selene spun around, her silver eyes searching the darkness. Nothing moved, but she knew better. Wolves were patient hunters. "I know you're there," she called out, her voice stronger than she felt.
"Show yourself!" A deep chuckle came from the dark. "Brave for someone so cornered." The man who stepped into the moonlight made Selene's heart skip. Tall and strong, with midnight-black hair and storm-gray eyes that pierced through her. A sharp scar curved along his neck - the mark of a curse. She didn't need to be told who he was. Alpha Kael Thorne.
The most feared wolf in all the countries. He moved with deadly ease, circling her like prey. "The last Ruby Wolf. Finally." "I'm not who you think I am," Selene said, backing away slowly. Her hand inched toward the knife at her hip. "Don't," Kael warned. His eyes flashed dangerously. "My dogs surround us. You won't make it three steps."
As if called by his words, shapes emerged from the trees. Wolves with hungry eyes and war scars. One stepped closer - a strong man with sandy blond hair and hate in his green eyes. "This is her?" the man growled. "This little girl killed an Alpha?"
"I killed no one!" Selene snapped. Fire rushed through her blood. The air around her shimmered with power she couldn't control. Kael raised an eyebrow. "Your eyes tell a different story, Ruby Wolf." Selene touched her face, confused. In the mirror of Kael's eyes, she saw her own - silver with red flames dancing inside them. Her power, waking without permission.
"What do you want from me?" she asked. Kael stepped closer. The moonlight cast half his face in shadow. "You have two choices. Come freely to face trial for your crimes against my kind, or" "Or what?" Selene challenged. "Kill me now? Many have tried." A strange smile twisted Kael's lips. "Or bond with me to break my curse." Selene's blood turned to ice.
"Bond? With you?" The blond wolf growled. "Cian, guard the perimeter," Kael directed without looking away from Selene. When they were alone, Kael pulled down his collar. The scar on his neck glowed with dark magic. Black lines spread from it like poison. "This curse is killing me," he said quietly. "The omen says only a Ruby Wolf's bond can break it. You're the last one." Selene shook her head. "I don't know how to break spells. I don't even know how to control what's inside me."
"Learn fast," Kael said coldly. "Because if I die, my wolves will tear you apart." Fear and anger clashed inside Selene. "So either way, I'm your prisoner. " Think of it as safety." Kael's eyes softened slightly. "The Syndicate is hunting you. They've doubled the prize on your head." Selene's mind raced. The Syndicate had found her trail again. She thought of the young witch, Elara, who she'd saved last week. The girl had said something about Alpha Kael's pack being strong enough to stand against the Syndicate.
"And if I choose trial?" she asked. "Then you face werewolf justice for killing an Alpha twelve years ago," Kael said. "Few survive such trials." Selene's fists clenched. "I was a child! I didn't kill anyone!" Something flashed in Kael's eyes - doubt, perhaps. "Then prove it. Come with me either way." A howl cut through the night. Cian ran back into the clearing, weapon drawn. "Syndicate killers! At least five, approaching fast!" Kael cursed.
"Time's up. Choose now, Ruby Wolf." Selene felt movement in the trees. The Syndicate had found her again. If they caught her, death would be a kindness compared to what they'd do. "Fine," she whispered. "I'll go with you. But I'm not bonding with anyone until I know more." Kael nodded sharply. "Fair enough." He grabbed her arm, his touch sending electric heat through her body.
"Stay close." Five black-clad people burst from the trees. The leader pulled back his hood, showing auburn hair and hazel eyes that widened at the sight of Selene. For a moment, those eyes seemed familiar. A memory flickered - a boy's laughter, a secret hiding place, small hands clasped together in promise. "Lysander?"
The name fell from her lips without thought. The assassin's face went pale. "How do you know my name?" Before she could answer, Kael shoved Selene behind him and changed into his wolf form - massive and black as midnight. His dogs followed, surrounding her in a protective circle. The fight erupted in a blur of claws and blades. Selene watched in fear as Lysander fought with inhuman skill, his eyes never leaving her face.
There was confusion there, and something else - recognition. "Enough!" Kael yelled, shifting back to human form. Blood dripped from a cut on his cheek. "Fall back!" Cian grabbed Selene's arm. "Move, Ruby Wolf!" They ran through the bush, wolves flanking them on all sides. Behind them, Selene heard Lysander shout: "This isn't over!" Kael's fortress rose from the mist like a mountain of stone - the famous Crimson Hold. Guards stood at attention as their Alpha neared.
"Take her to the east tower," Kael ordered. "Post guards. No one enters without my approval." Selene jerked away from Cian's grip.
"I'm not your prisoner. I came willingly." "You're under my protection," Kael corrected. His eyes swept over her, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine.
"And my watch." As guards led her away, Selene glanced back at the forest. The killer with the familiar eyes was still out there. Lysander. Why did that name feel like a forgotten piece of her soul?
In her tower room, Selene paced like a caged animal. The door was locked, the windows barred. Outside, the moon cast silver light across the land. She pressed her palm against the cold glass and closed her eyes. A soft knock made her turn. Kael entered, cleaned of fight but still imposing. He brought a tray of food and set it down carefully.
"You knew that assassin," he said. It wasn't a question. Selene turned away.
"I don't know how. The name just... came to me." Kael stepped closer. "The Syndicate's top killer knows you. That makes you either very important or very dangerous." "I'm neither," Selene whispered.
"I'm just trying to survive." Kael's hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, turning it over. The moonlight showed a small crescent birthmark. "The mark of the Ruby Wolf," he muttered. His touch was surprisingly gentle. "Legend says your kind can break any curse... or cause unimaginable destruction." Selene pulled her hand away. "I don't believe in legends."
"You should," Kael said softly. "Because they believe in you." He moved to leave but paused at the door.
"Rest tonight. Tomorrow we discuss your choices. Trial or bond - either way, your old life ends here." When the door closed behind him, Selene sank to her knees.
The mark on her wrist burned like fire.
Outside, a wolf howled, a sound of challenge and warning. And miles away, in the darkness of the forest, Lysander touched the similar crescent mark hidden on his chest.
Memories flickered like dying flames - a girl with silver eyes, a promise made in blood, a bond that passed time.
"Selene," he whispered to the night. "I've found you at last."