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Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: The Choice That Isn't Mine

Selene stood at the balcony of the east wing, hands gripping the stone railing, hair blowing in the cold wind. Below her, the forest was dark and endless, but she didn't fear it.

She feared what waited inside her — the pull, the ache, the heat that grew every time one of them came near.

She hadn't slept since the Council meeting.

The thought of speaking before the entire Summit — of choosing between Daxon and Cian under the gaze of wolves who would gladly tear her apart — made her stomach twist.

She was supposed to be free now. Unbound. A widow of fate.

And yet here she was… again, marked by the Moon.

Behind her, the door creaked open.

"I'm not in the mood," she said, not turning.

"You should be."

The voice was smooth, teasing. Cian.

Selene sighed as he came up beside her, a cloak in his hand. He draped it over her shoulders without a word, his warmth lingering longer than it needed to.

"Always trying to be the good one," she muttered.

"I'm not trying," he said softly. "I am."

She rolled her eyes, but her body leaned toward him anyway — traitorous and tired.

"I didn't come here to fight," he said.

"Then what did you come for?"

"To ask what you're going to say."

Selene's heart thudded.

"To the Summit?" she asked. "I don't know yet."

"You'll have to choose."

She turned to him. "Why? Why does it always come down to that?"

Cian's jaw tightened. "Because power has to land somewhere. Because this world doesn't know what to do with a woman who holds more than one throne."

Selene looked away. "Then maybe I'll choose neither."

He didn't answer. He just stepped behind her, arms lightly grazing her waist. Not possessive. Just present.

"I would wait forever," he whispered into her hair. "But I won't lie. If you choose him… I'll leave. I won't watch you love someone else."

Her eyes burned.

"Don't make me feel guilty," she said.

"I'm not," he replied. "I'm making you feel."

She turned and walked away before she could do something foolish — like kiss him again.

Later, she wandered the west wing, half in a daze, needing air and distraction. The guards barely glanced at her. She passed council members, omegas, even young wolves from the training school — all whispering in her wake.

She was a myth walking.

And she hated it.

In the archive chamber, she found Vaughn seated among towers of scrolls and leather-bound tomes. The room smelled like parchment and old ink. It was peaceful. Sacred.

"Researching another way to tie me down?" she asked, stepping in.

Vaughn glanced up, a rare flicker of amusement in his tired eyes. "Trying to untie you, actually."

That made her pause.

He gestured for her to sit, then passed her an old book — brittle, faded, but still readable.

On the cover: The Luna Prophecy.

Selene blinked. "This can't be real."

"It's forgotten," Vaughn said. "Buried. But real."

She opened the book slowly. Symbols danced across the page. At the center of a rough sketch — a wolf with two shadows, both reaching for her throat.

"Two mates," she whispered.

"The prophecy speaks of a Luna born twice," Vaughn said. "Marked not once, but again. Death would touch her, and still she would rise."

Selene's throat closed.

"That's not power," she murmured. "That's punishment."

Vaughn looked her dead in the eye. "It's both."

She stared at the image again. Her fingers brushed the edges, and the page pulsed — just for a moment.

"It's you," Vaughn said.

She closed the book.

"Why show me this?" she asked. "Why now?"

"Because the prophecy doesn't end with you choosing a mate," he said. "It ends with you choosing war or peace."

Selene stood slowly. "What if I choose myself?"

"Then let's hope the world survives it."

That night, she didn't wait for them to come to her.

She went to them.

Daxon's quarters were at the highest point of the Keep — surrounded by shadow, protected by his elite guards, and somehow always open to her.

She didn't knock.

She walked in.

Daxon stood by the fireplace, shirtless again, because of course he was. His back was turned, and for a moment, she simply watched him.

The way he held himself — like the world bowed to him or broke.

"I needed quiet," she said.

He didn't turn. "You chose the wrong room."

Selene smiled faintly. "Then I'll speak over the noise."

He looked over his shoulder, dark eyes gleaming. "Careful, Luna. You're starting to sound like me."

She walked toward him, stopping inches away. The fire danced in his eyes, reflecting something deeper — something broken.

"Why do you want me?" she asked. "Really?"

He turned fully now. "Because the moment I met you, I knew I'd never want anyone else."

"That's not enough."

"It's all I have."

Selene reached up, fingertips brushing the scar across his ribs. He stilled, letting her touch him.

"You were wounded."

"You were the one who left the scar."

She looked up. "Me?"

"The day I watched you marry someone else."

Silence stretched between them.

Selene's fingers dropped.

"I don't know who I am when I'm with you," she whispered.

"Then let me help you remember."

He moved closer, slowly, giving her time to flee. She didn't.

His hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks.

"You're fire," he whispered. "You're fury and fate. And you're mine — even if you never say the words."

Their lips met.

This kiss wasn't like Cian's — gentle and pleading.

This one burned.

Selene let herself fall into it — into Daxon's mouth, his breath, his strength. She tasted need and hunger and the war he fought every second to keep from claiming her.

But then…

She pulled back.

"No," she said, voice trembling. "Not yet."

He didn't argue.

He just nodded.

And that terrified her more than anything.

The next morning, the final day arrived.

The Summit's closing ceremony loomed.

The Keep was dressed in silver and blood-red banners. Wolves from every region gathered in the great hall. Cian and Daxon stood on opposite sides of the chamber, eyes fixed on her.

And Selene?

Selene stood at the center, crownless but radiant — a Luna with no mate, no mark, and no master.

Vaughn stepped forward.

"The Luna will speak."

Selene looked at the crowd — so many wolves. So many expectations.

She looked at Cian. He smiled. Soft. Sure.

She looked at Daxon. He said nothing. But his gaze said everything.

And then she spoke.

"I am Selene Laurent," she said, voice ringing out. "Luna of the fallen Moon Court. Bonded twice by a fate I did not choose."

Gasps. Whispers.

"I was told I had three days to decide. To claim one. To reject one. Or both."

The crowd leaned in.

"But I have made a different choice."

She raised her chin.

"I will not belong to either of them. Not until I decide who I am."

The crowd broke into chaos — shouting, confusion, even laughter.

"She defies the bond!"

"She spits on the Goddess!"

"Kill the prophecy!"

Vaughn raised his cane. "Silence!"

Selene held her ground. Her heart thundered, but her spine stayed straight.

"I am not here to be passed between rivals," she said. "I am not a prize. I am a Luna reborn. And I will not be rushed."

She turned — eyes locking on Daxon, then Cian.

"If you want me… wait."

And then she walked away.

The chamber erupted behind her.

But she didn't look back.

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