The morning was thick with mist, the forest muted and gray. Wolves moved cautiously, ears twitching at every sound, noses sniffing the chill air. Something was coming—Selene could feel it in her bones, the pull of danger threading through the bond like an electric current.
Damon was tense beside her, muscles coiled, fangs glinting. "The Council is planning something," he murmured, low and dangerous. "I can feel it. A new predator, stronger than the last."
Selene's heart raced. The fire inside her stirred, bright and wild. "Stronger how?"
"They've learned from their mistakes," Damon said, eyes narrowing. "And they'll use every shadow they can muster."
The packs gathered near the clearing. Wolves whispered among themselves, the memory of Selene's fire still fresh in their minds. They had hope now, but it made her cautious. The Council could see that fire as a threat… and they would strike with precision.
By noon, a lone figure emerged from the mist—a wolf larger and more formidable than any she had faced before. His eyes glowed a deeper, unnatural red, and the shadows swirling around him seemed almost alive, writhing with malice.
Selene's stomach tightened. This wasn't just another marked wolf. This was a weapon born from the Council's darkest intent.
Damon growled low, fangs bared. "Stay behind me," he warned.
Selene shook her head, stepping forward. "No. This isn't just about fighting. It's about freeing him… if I can."
The wolf's gaze fixed on her, and Selene felt the cold tendrils of shadow snake toward her mind. You cannot stop me. You will fail. You are human.
Selene's chest heaved, but she pressed her hand to the bond on her wrist. Heat blazed through her veins, igniting the fire that had saved others before. She could feel Damon's presence beside her, strong and protective, grounding her in the storm.
"I am fire," she whispered, firm and unyielding. "And I will not fail."
The wolf lunged, faster than any Council warrior she had faced. Damon intercepted him, claws tearing through the air. But the shadows weren't just in the wolf—they seemed to flow into Damon, a test of both their strength.
Selene placed both hands on the wolf, letting her fire surge. Darkness screamed, clawing at her, twisting her vision, suffocating her. But Damon's hand found hers, steadying her, grounding her. Together, their bond flared, a conflagration of heat and light that seared through the shadows.
The wolf howled, convulsing as the darkness burned away. His eyes slowly returned to normal, amber and alive. He fell to the snow, trembling, free from the Council's chains.
Selene collapsed beside him, shaking. Damon wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. "You're unstoppable," he murmured, awe and relief in his voice.
"No," she whispered, exhausted but alive. "We're unstoppable—together."
The packs gathered around, murmuring in awe. Some bowed, some pressed forward, their respect mingled with fear and hope. Selene realized that each victory made the fire within her brighter—and heavier. She was no longer just Damon's mate. She was the beacon for the entire pack.
Damon's golden eyes softened as he watched her. "You're carrying so much," he said quietly. "And I can't shield you from all of it. But I'll try."
Selene pressed a hand to his chest. "You don't have to. We're a bond, Damon. I have your strength, and you have mine. Together… we can face whatever they send."
The wolf she had freed shook, looking at her with grateful eyes. "Thank you," he whispered, voice raw. "I… I feel myself again."
Selene smiled softly. "Then go home," she said. "Be free. That's all I want."
Later, Aria approached, her gaze sharp and unreadable. "Impressive," she said. "The Council will be more cautious next time. Or reckless. You've proven fire can burn shadows. And fire always draws attention."
Selene swallowed. "I don't want attention. I just want to protect…"
Aria's lips curved. "Protecting is one thing. Leading is another. The Council will escalate. You must be ready."
Selene's chest tightened. She loved Damon. She wanted to be his mate, his equal, his fire. But now she understood that the bond had made her more than just human. She had become a weapon, a savior, and possibly, a target.
That night, Selene and Damon sat together outside the camp. The snow had stopped, leaving a blanket of silence over the forest.
"They'll come again," Damon said quietly. "And it will be worse."
"I know," Selene whispered. "But I'm ready… if you're with me."
"I'm always with you," he said, holding her close. "But remember—this fire isn't just yours. It belongs to us, to the pack, and… maybe to something bigger. You have to decide what you're willing to risk."
Selene pressed her forehead to his, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Then I choose fire," she whispered. "And I choose you. No matter what comes."
The bond on her wrist pulsed, warm and alive, as though acknowledging her resolve. The packs slept nearby, some murmuring in dreams, some still alert. But Selene knew one truth: the Council would not rest, and neither could she.
The shadowed intentions of their enemies were far from over. But now, Selene's fire burned brighter than ever, unyielding, unstoppable, and shared with Damon—the Alpha who loved her fiercely, who fought beside her, and who would not let the bond be broken.
Author's Note:
🔥❄️ Selene faces the Council's most dangerous marked wolf yet, testing the limits of her fire and bond with Damon. Every victory strengthens her—and the expectations surrounding her grow heavier. Will love and power survive together, or will the weight of destiny pull them apart? Comment below and vote with Power Stones to guide Selene's next battle! ❤️