The forest was no longer silent.
Wind moaned through the trees like a wounded animal. The dim light from the moon could be barely seen because of the giant trees which slightly blocked the light , shadows cast in jagged patterns along the forest floor. And in the centre, stood the two souls who longed for each other. They were close enough to see the breath mist from the other's lips, yet divided by something far crueler than distance.
Selene knew what was going on but Mingi had no idea. "What's this–what's going on?". Selene's lips gave out a smirk which showed how pissed she was. Not because of the wall but because Sorenna had stepped on her ego.
"It's a boundary".
Between them laid a veil it was translucent, breathing like living mist. Not air.
Not wind.
A spell. Ancient. Wild.
" Normally I would go through this but some strange spells have been included in this." with the smirk still on her face . "Even better. Return to your home." She said as she left.
Selene's heart pounded in her chest as she walked through in the moonlit clearing, the wind whispering through the trees. Her wolf sat uneasily beneath her skin, and she felt her fangs struggle to find their way out. The separation between her and Mingi was palpable—like an invisible wall stretched across their fates. She had never felt so alone.
"Damn it," Selene mumbled under her breath, fists clenched as she raised her hand gently to her mouth as if wanting to concentrate and think properly. This wasn't the first time Sorenna had been in her way. Sorenna was like the witch that had been placed to interrupt her life But, she had to rid herself of this bond. The very idea of being connected to him—of being forced to acknowledge it—made her blood boil. She didn't want it. She couldn't want it.
She glanced around, her eyes scanning the trees, looking for a sign of the witch. Sorenna Duskbane had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared, but Selene knew she was going to return. A lingering darkness clung to the air, suffocating, like the aftermath of a storm.
"How dare she?" Selene's voice was low, the words a sharp hiss. She could totally understand why Sorenna would do this, but why would she put a bond between her and Mingi in the first place. It wasn't just the magic that angered her—it was the humiliation, the control over her fate.
Without thinking, she turned sharply on her heel and began walking toward the direction of the pack's border. She had to get away, and had to clear her mind. She had never admired anything about humans but it was at that one moment, she wondered what her life would have been like had she been one or what if she was just a mere werewolf like everyone else .
Selene pushed the thoughts away as she moved, each step carrying her closer to the pack. She couldn't afford to be led astray by her thoughts or anyone including Mingi.
Not after it had taken her so much for her to forge the alliance with the Greek park and not after there was finally peace between the parks.
Her mind was set. She would break the bond.
Hours later, Selene arrived at the heart of the Greek territory, the maleficent buildings with the priceless towering stones . She moved past the halls to the rest house of the Alpha. Her heart was heavy as she approached, knowing what awaited her. Lucian,her Alpha would be there, and they would discuss everything—the marriage, the treaty, the future of their packs.
She entered the hall quietly, her eyes scanning the room for familiar faces. Lucian was already seated, his sharp features illuminated by the flickering torchlight. He looked up as she entered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Selene," he greeted her, his voice deep and smooth as always. But there was something else she could perceive from his voice. Doubt?. "It's good to see you."
"Lucian," she replied in a very blant voice, taking a seat at the large, oak table.
She kept her gaze steady, her face unreadable as the Alpha leader, the one who ruled her pack, entered the room. His presence was commanding, dark eyes scanning the room with authority. His very posture demanded respect. He was older, wiser, and far more ruthless than she had ever hoped to be.
The tension between them had become as thick as a blanket, but Selene kept calm with a steady face which gave off a very confident vibe. Betraying none of the ache inside her. This meeting had nothing to do with the bond Sorenna had created between her and Mingi. Not yet.
"Selene," the Alpha spoke in his low, attractive voice, "we need to talk about marriage. You understand the importance of this alliance."
She nodded silently, trying to suppress the frustration building within her. The last thing she wanted was to discuss a marriage with Lucian. But duty called, and she had to play her part.
"Yes," she replied, her voice tight. "Tell me what I don't know".
Lucian exchanged a glance with his Beta , his eyes flicking back to Selene. "This is more than just a union of two people. It's a matter of consolidating power between our packs, securing our future. The treaty must be signed at the ceremony. It's essential for both packs' survival."
"Of course," she replied coolly, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes flicked to Lucian. Their intentions were clear—this wasn't about love or choice. It was about control. About power.
"You seem troubled," Lucian observed, his voice carefully measured. "Is there anything you want to say?"
Lucian has heard the rumors and was expecting her to propose calling off the marriage or something.
Selene shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The bond with Mingi weighed heavily on her—every moment spent near him felt like an eternity. But she knew what Lucian wanted. He didn't have feelings for Selene either.
"I'm fine," she said firmly, though she could feel her pulse quicken. "The marriage is important. We all understand that."
"Good," the Alpha said, nodding. "We've agreed to move forward with the preparations. We'll discuss the details further in the coming days. But for now, we must focus on the state of our territories."
The conversation shifted then to matters of the pack—borders, patrols, and future strategies. Roman and the Alpha spoke with the intensity of leaders, and Selene listened, her mind wandering despite her best efforts to focus.
Alia arrived a few hours into the meeting. " I'm sorry I'm late." I had to finish some work for my alpha.
Then one of the pack warriors arrived and whispered a few words to the Alpha.
"I'll handle it," Lucian said, his tone dismissive as he stood. "You can leave, Selene."
She stood, Alia quickly following her, making her exit with little more than a nod to the Alpha . But as she walked down the hall, a gnawing unease settled in her stomach.
She kept thinking on how to completely stop Sorenna from always having a say in her life.
But deep down, she knew it wouldn't be that simple. No spell ever was.
Mingi stood in the quiet of his room, the journal Cassian had given him spread out before him. The words on the pages seemed to blur, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. The bond that connected him to Selene was still fresh, still raw. Every time he tried to focus, his mind drifted back to her—the way her eyes had flashed when she'd looked at him. The way she tried to push him away, but he could feel her heart beating in rhythm with his.
"Why can't I stop thinking about her?" Mingi murmured, raking his hair with his hand.
Cassian's voice came from the doorframe. "You're not supposed to. You're the Moonborn, Mingi. Your destiny is entwined with hers, whether you like it or not."
Mingi clenched his jaw, frustration building. "You always speak in parables. I never seem to understand anything you say."
"You're both bound by fate," Cassian said softly. "And magic. You can't fight it forever."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air as Mingi stared down at the journal, knowing deep in his gut that there was no escape. Not from the bond. Not from Selene.
As Selene made her way back to her quarters, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. That something was coming, something she couldn't stop
She wasn't done yet.
And neither was the magic.
Was she going to let the magic keep the boundary betwe
en herself and her fated mate or was she going to keep her pride and challenge Sorenna.