ã€ŠGift of the Goddessã€‹


 Hunted

    The night air was heavy with the scent of pine and petrichor as she stumbled through the towering forest, her heart pounding in rhythm to her frantic footsteps. The echo of distant howls kept her sprinting, running as fast as her feet could take her.

    The full moon cast pale light through the branches, illuminating the way before her. But that meant she could also be seen. She tried once more to shift into her wolf form, but found herself unable to initiate the transformation.

    She tripped and stumbled, instinctively cradling her stomach and the new life inside, to protect it, but she did not fall. She picked up the pace one more and continued onward.

    Hours earlier she had stood within the grand hall of the Duskveil estate, surrounded by strangers with cold eyes and cruel whispers. The alpha''s rage had been swift and merciless, ignited by the revelation that she carried a child that was not his. His words, laced with venom, cut deep and chilled her to the very bone.

    "Betrayer!" His voice thundered through the chamber, his eyes burning with fury. "You have defiled this bonding with your treachery and deceit. You are no mate of mine, your pack is no ally of mine! Be gone from here!"

    He seized her by the arm and dragged her through the marble corridors, past the silent faces of those who dared not intervene. She had peered into every face, looking for the mother that had sent her to this wretched place, but she did not find her amongst the crowed. With brutal force, he cast her from the grand entrance and onto the wet, unforgiving stone of the courtyard.

    "Run, my dear Selene" he spat. "Run far and fast. For the hunt begins now, and there will be no mercy for you or the abomination you carry."

    As the heavy doors slammed shut behind her, the chilling sound of wolves howling pierced the night, signaling the hunt''s beginning.

    She fled into the darkness. An ancient forest had loomed in the distance, a labyrinth of shadows and whispers and she bolted for the tree-line.

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    Now she was the hunted in a forest that was not her own. Her limbs ached, her lungs burned, but she pressed on, driven by the instinct to protect the life growing within her.

    The howls grew ever closer, echoing through the trees, a terrifying chorus of vengeance. She knew his enforcers would stop at nothing to erase her from existence and from the blot of shame she had brought to their pack, to cleanse the stain of her perceived betrayal.

    The landscape had grown progressively more barren and sunken, deeper gullies, the trees more sparse, vegetation less dense. She was able to make her way more easily, but so to could the hunt, and she could tell now that they were merely toying with her, drawing out her escape.

    For a moment, a sensation of cold so intense it burned slid across her skin, all the way to her core, as if she had passed a curtain of ice and suddenly the forest completely disappeared leaving only sparse vegetation, cracked earth and fog.

    A root snagged her foot, sending her tumbling down a ravine she had not seen through the fog, and she curled into a protective ball. She tumbled and slid, feeling every slice, scrape, and bump from her fall until she landed on her back with a thud that took the wind from her. She scrambled to rise, the cold mud clinging to her hands and knees. Desperation clawed at her as shadows moved in the distance and the form of the hunt emerged from the misty darkness.

    "Goddess, protect me," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear. She could see the hunters move off slightly, further away, and she realized her scent had been dampened by the rain and now the fog. This was her chance.

    With renewed determination, Selene surged forward, away from the hunt and deeper into the barren lands. If she could survive the night, perhaps she would find sanctuary-perhaps, she might also find hope.

 The Suiter

    Selene Nyxbourne was the oldest daughter of the Nyxbourne pack, and by far the fairest. Unfortunately, she was also the most hotheaded.

    ¡°You¡¯re selling me off like a pig to slaughter,¡± she screamed from the window as her father slowly strode away. ¡°I''ve never even met him!¡±

    He gave a dismissive wave as he walked towards the large stable attached to the left-hand side of the large mansion. She knew he was getting ready to personally lead a small delegation to meet another pack. To accept the offer of Claim on her.

    ¡°Selene, calm down,¡± said a voice from the room behind her. Selene whirled around indignantly to face her mother, Matriarch Estrella, who was calmly, yet meticulously, going through the gowns in her closet, placing a few on the bed for consideration.

    Selene screamed inwardly.

    She had only attended a handful of this year¡¯s Mate¡¯s Moon Masquerades. It wasn¡¯t her fault none of those had produced the spark needed to know if someone was her True Mate. She just needed more time. She did not want, nay, refused to be one of those who settled for something less.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to be twenty this year,¡± Estrella continued, tossing a light blue gown covered in crystals onto the bed. ¡°You need to be thinking of your future¡ªof our future. Think of your sisters. Think of your brother.¡±

    Selene deflated a little, all the hot air of her anger and indignation dissipating and making her feel slightly empty. A knot of anxiety churned and ached within her. She doted on her siblings. She wanted the absolute best for them. But sacrificing her freedom for that, even if she understood the weight of her duties, seemed unbearable.

    The Nyxbourne clan was one of the Great Four, each touched by the divine and given the First Blessing that brought power, prosperity, and peace. But over the centuries, what had once been a golden age of abundance, harmony, and unity, had slowly devolved into animosity and darkness. The Solmere clan had mysteriously disappeared. The Dawncaller Clan had been completely wiped out. Only the Duskveil and Nyxbourne clans remained, and Selene knew it was only a matter of time before they too were targeted for elimination. Centuries of waning power now made them a vulnerable target for easy dispatching.

    That is, unless she accepted the claim of the man who had set his sights on her.

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    Lucien Duskveil.

    ¡°Are you listening to me?¡±

    Selene stiffened and the world came sharply into focus. Estrella had been speaking to her. She glanced at the dress in her mothers hand, a long, asymmetrical dark blue gown with silver accents. The strappy kind that hugged her body in uncomfortable ways and revealed more than she was willing to give.

    ¡°I said you can wear this dress with the moonstone earrings and necklace your grandmother gave you for your birthday last year. We¡¯ll do your hair up with silver ribbons; they¡¯ll contrast each other nicely.¡±

    Selene touched a lock of her midnight hair, the very same shade as her mothers, minus the shock of white that cascaded from the older woman¡¯s temples. She gazed at Estrella, noticing the fine lines that had started to crease her eyes and mouth. Her mother loved to laugh, and her daughters had inherited her dry and sometimes dark humor. Would she remember her if they never saw each other again? What if she was never allowed to visit? What if her siblings couldn¡¯t come see her either? A lump rose in her throat and her stomach clenched, the knot of anxiety winding itself more tightly. What if she never saw any of them ever again?

    She wasn¡¯t ready. She didn¡¯t want to let go of the life she led now. It was comfortable. Familiar.

    Estrella set the dress gently on the bed and walked over to stand in front of her. She put her hands on both Selene¡¯s cheeks and smiled down at her daughter.

    ¡°You¡¯ll always be my little girl, Selene, no matter where this life takes you,¡± she said.

    Selene moved in and hugged her mother tightly, who held her firmly in return. Burying her face into the soft fabric of her dress she smelled jasmine and sandalwood¡ªwarm and grounding. Somehow her mother always had a sixth sense of how she was feeling, how any of them were feeling, and was as quick to give comfort as her children were to seek it.

    Selene loosened her arms and backed away from the warmth, sniffling slightly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll always be here for you,¡± her mother reassured.

    Selene nodded, pulling herself up to her full height, which was still several several inches shorter than her towering mother.

    ¡°Now lets get your outfit picked out before he gets here tonight.¡±

    Selene gulped. ¡°Tonight?¡± she said, managing not to shriek the words in panic.

    Selene knew her family would be bringing Lucien here for the initial bonding ceremony, but she had no idea it would be so soon. That it would be tonight.

    With a deep breath and a sigh, she grabbed the dress from the bed and began her preparations.

 Dinner Guest

    Selene sat across from what she felt was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on. His hair was so black it seemed to absorb all the light around it and it was just long enough to frame his silver green eyes in such a way that they stood out against the darkness like tree leaves bathed in moonlight. The darkness of his hair made his pale skin seem almost ethereal.

    She played with a lock of her own black hair, noting its dullness, even against the myriad of silver ribbons that cascaded down from the braided half-updo her hair had been coaxed into. But her own ice blue eyes could see the cold regard with which he seemed to hold everyone. His smile did not reach his eyes, nor did his laugh.

    When he arrived, his carriage had been gaudy and ostentatious. Black with gold trim, and matching black carriage horses and gold tack. He had barely waited for the thing to stop moving before he stepped out of it. Brushing himself off and tugging at his coat before he sauntered over to her, grabbing his hand and raising it to his lips. A smile tugged at his mouth, but to Selene, it felt less of a smile in greeting, and more of a smile in victory. Something tugged at her, something unnamed and instinctual, but it felt like a warning.

    "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Selene," he said. His voice was deep and commanding, at total odds with his chilly eyes, each word feeling like a warm caress, sensual and enthralling.

    She didn''t like it.

    But she dismissed the feeling and swallowed all her misgivings. She smiled up at him demurely whenever he addressed her, despite him never asking her a direct question.

    "And then tomorrow we''ll hold the first part of the ceremony," Lucian said to Selene''s father, Calix, while gesturing towards a man at the other end of the large table. "This is my witness, Tavian Ironclaw. His pack has served mine for generations and his family is the most trustworthy I know. He also serves as the captain of my guard."

    Calix nodded and glanced over at his wife who sat at the head of the table. She smiled serenely and said nothing, her chin resting on the back of her hands as she took in the conversation. Selene had noticed the scrutiny with which her mother watched the conversation. Lucien had not acknowledged her status as Matriarch of the pack since his arrival, instead conversing with her husband instead.

    Selene didn''t know what to make of this slight. Normally her mother would have corrected such audacity, but she remained silent.

    "The preparations have been complete, it will be held in the gardens behind the estate. Estrella has assured us that the weather will be fine and everything will go smoothly. While it''s not quite as powerful as generations back, she has quite the knack for clairvoyance."

    Lucien''s expression shifted subtly at the mention of Estrella''s gift and he turned slightly to face her nodding in acknowledgment.

    "That''s truly a wonderful talent," he said, his voice slow and calculated, before turning back to the woman sitting across from him. "What about you, my dear Selene? Do you also have the gift?"

    She balked under his intense gaze, suddenly aware all eyes were on her. She had not inherited her mothers powers beyond a sharp instinct and sensitive sixth sense, but these she had never shared with anyone. She bowed her head slightly but kept eye contact, despite wanting to look away.

    "No sir, not to my knowledge."

    His eyes narrowed slightly and an expression of irritation flickered across his face for a moment before he composed himself. Selene felt a chill run through her body.

    "That''s unfortunate," he said, and she looked away. Lifting his glass of wine, he let out a hearty chuckle. "Well, let us toast to this new alliance between the Nyxbourne pack and the Duskveil pack, may we prosper and thrive."

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    A chorus of muted cheers and guttural agreements echoed through the room before quiet settled as everyone drank from their glasses. The room was silent for many long moments before the soft murmur of conversation picked up around the table, and Selene sat back in her chair, wishing she could be anywhere else.

    * * *

    The moonlight spilled out of the windows and onto the carpeted hallway, casting everything in an eerie yet ethereal glow. Selene stared out the window down into the garden where her favorite gazebo was now decorated with roses, violets, and lengths of fabric that she thought might be red, or maybe purple¡ªit was hard to tell in the moonlight.

    She could still hear the sounds of drunken revelry down in the main hall. She had quietly made her departure some hours ago under the pretense of sleep, despite knowing it was very unlikely to come. While they celebrated a new alliance, she mourned her freedom.

    She did not know what to think of Lucien. No, she supposed that wasn''t true, she knew exactly what she thought of him, but to admit that out loud would be to admit her future misery. His eyes told her of cruelty, his laugh told her of arrogance. He held an air of foreboding and repression.

    She could not understand why her mother would let this happen.

    Soft footsteps coming down the hall made her stand straight, chin up and eyes forward.

    "It''s just me," said Estrella quietly as she moved to stand beside Selene. The quiet engulfed them for a moment as they stood, looking down at the ceremony adornments.

    "I couldn''t sleep," said Selene.

    "I could tell."

    "I don''t want to be bonded to him."

    "I know, but you must."

    "Why me? I''m sure there are a thousand other mates he could choose from."

    "Because we are in a position to accept the alliance that was offered."

    The quiet returned for a moment, thick with tension and the words neither of them wanted to utter.

    "But he scares me," Selene finally whispered through gritted teeth.

    "I know. But this is the only way to protect our family," Estrella said, and Selene was surprised to find her mother sounded... tired? Resigned?

    Estrella pursed her lips, measuring her words. "I understand your grievances, your doubts, your worries. It may not be a perfect match, and its quite clear he''s not your True Mate, but you are both similar age and can grow with each other. He''s smart and handsome, and has already managed to secure leadership in his pack, I think the match will still be agreeable. This alliance will ensure that both our packs can work together and provide support to one another when times inevitably get difficult."

    Selene sensed her mother was holding something back.

    "What aren''t you telling me?" she asked

    "It''s better to be bonded to the wolf, than just a sheep in his flock," she said quietly, her expression grave as she looked up at the nearly full moon rising above them.

    Selene narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak when footsteps rang down the hallway, louder and so much more forceful than her mothers.

    "Good evening Matriarch, my dear Selene," he said, shocking Selene with an acknowledgment of her mothers title, and they both turned.

    "Alpha Lucian," Estrella acknowledged with a nod, "So kind of you to join us, we were just discussing the ceremony tomorrow."

    Lucian smiled and his eyes seemed colder, more distant and frigid doused in the moonlight. It still chilled her to the core.

    "I was just on my way to my sleeping quarters to retire as well. It was quite hard to pull myself away from the drink and revelry, but we have a big day tomorrow."

    He glanced out the window and then back to Selene.

    "Don''t fret, if your nerves are what''s keeping you from sleep, I promise I will take good care of you. There''s nothing for you to worry about," he said placing his hand over his heart.

    She blushed and bowed slightly, unsure of what to say.

    "Thank you Alpha," She said simply.

    His smile wavered briefly but he regained his composure immediately. He looked at both women and nodded.

    "Well, I hope that rest may find you both. Have a good night," he said with a nod before continuing down the hall.

    They stood gazing out the window for a few more moments, Selene just existing in the familiar company and companionable silence for what may be the last time.

    "I''m going to try and tear your father away from his drink," said Estrella with a shake of her head. "Try to get some sleep. We will see each other in the morning."

    Selene watched her mothers back as she faded into the shadows down the hallway.

    Sleep would not come easily for Selene, who dreamed of darkness, despair, and silvery green eyes that followed her wherever she fled.

 Shimmering Reflection

    Selene stood in front of the grand mirror in her bedroom. She etched its simple inlaid braided pattern into her memory, remembering when her mother gifted it to her on her tenth birthday. How excited she had been to have a mirror of her own, just like her mothers, to someday get ready for a mate in front of. A pang of regret spread thorough her and she wondered if she would have a mirror like this in her new home.

    The soft glow of sunsets last light streamed through the window bathed everything in a golden hue that was in direct comparison to how cold and hollow she felt.

    In the reflection, her strapless gown glittered and shimmered in the ambient light, hugging her curves tightly in some places and draping loosely in others. It was a few shades lighter than the one she had worn yesterday, but adorned with a myriad of twinkling crystals that mimicked the night sky itself. She was a tapestry of stars.

    Her heart pounded in her chest as her mother stepped around to face her, adjusting the curls and ringlets that cascaded down around her face from the fixture at her crown.

    "I have something for you, wait here," said Estrella, and walked over to a vanity on the far side of the room. She fetched a small box that had been set there earlier in the morning. She lifted a necklace from the box that sparkled and glittered in the sunset. It¡¯s intricate silver design was inlaid with dozens of tiny diamonds and sapphires surrounding a pale blue stone that mimicked the full moon, and was almost the exact shade of her eyes.

    ¡°This is my gift to you. I hope that you always wear it and think of home,¡± said Estrella, setting the necklace at Selene¡¯s throat and walking behind her to adjust the clasp.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± breathed Selene, and the knot in her stomach gripped tighter.

    The ceremony of Bonding was meant to be a sacred and joyous event between lovers, yet Selene felt as though she were walking to her own execution.

    ¡°You also look exceptionally beautiful tonight, I can¡¯t wait for everyone to see,¡± Estrella murmured with a tender smile, smoothing the dark blue fabric that clung to Selene''s slender form.

    Selene swallowed hard. Her reflection looked even more pale than usual, if that was possible. Her eyes were slightly red from all the crying and she had faint dark circles even the makeup couldn¡¯t cover.

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    ¡°I can¡¯t do this, mother. I don¡¯t trust him. There¡¯s darkness, there¡¯s¡ªsomething just isn¡¯t right, I can feel it,¡± Selene pleaded. The anger and the storm within her quieting in the resignation, giving way to grief and hopelessness.

    Estrella¡¯s expression softened, and she once again cupped Selene¡¯s face with gentle hands.

    ¡°I know, and were it just us I would keep you with the pack forever. But this union is not just for you. It is for the survival of the Nyxbourne Pack. This alliance will protect us.¡±

    ¡°Is that what you¡¯ve seen for the future? Is there no way out of this?¡± asked Selene. Perhaps fate had something else in store for her, something other than what she was heading for.

    Her mother¡¯s face was thoughtful for a moment, as if trying to decide what to say.

    ¡°I am the Matriarch of this pack Selene, and sometimes I have to make decisions that even I do not wish to for the sake of the greater good. I saw that you would go through many trials thought I know not what they are, and that pains me. But I also saw that for the greater good, you would endure. This was the only path left for us.¡±

    Tears threatened to spill from Selene¡¯s eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. Everything seemed so far above her, like she was a puppet being controlled and paraded out on a stage she had no say in. ¡°But what of love? What of finding my True Mate?¡±

    Estrella¡¯s pursed her lips. ¡°Sometimes, love is a seed that must be planted, and seeds take time to grow. Other times, we must make sacrifices to protect those we hold dear.¡±

    Selene¡¯s breath hitched, and she nodded reluctantly. The burden of duty pressed heavily upon her shoulders as she allowed her mother to fasten the last few silver ribbons through her midnight hair. She had wanted to run at first, to flee as far as she could and retain her freedom, for the chance to chase her own destiny, but the weight of her family¡¯s legacy¡ªand the thought of her smaller siblings¡ªheld her in place.

    As the last bit of sun finally set, with trembling steps, she turned and marched toward her new destiny.

 Bloody Ceremonials

    Selene descended the grand staircase and crossed the courtyard out into the main garden, her footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone path. The towering white gazebo, draped in silver and blue silk¡ªnot red or purple like she first thought¡ªstood in the heart of the Nyxbourne estate¡¯s expansive garden, bathed in the ethereal glow of the full moon.

    Pack members of both Nyxbourne and Duskveil gathered in silent reverence, encircling the ceremony site like a barrier awaiting her presence. They parted when she drew near, making an open path up to the center. She saw both familiar faces, and also faces of those she had never met. There had not been this many people at the dinner last night, they must have arrived during her preparations. Selene tried to look everywhere but forward but all too soon she had reached her destination.

    Lucian awaited her beneath the gazebo, his sharp features illuminated by the moonlight that was so bright it almost seemed to be daytime. The black and blue tuxedo he wore fit his lean frame perfectly and she could see that he was quite muscular under the fabric. His eyes, cold and calculating, sent a familiar chill down Selene¡¯s spine as she approached. He extended a hand, and with great hesitation, Selene placed her trembling fingers in his and stepped up to join him. Standing so close to him she could clearly see he was quite a bit taller than her, and she had to crane her neck to look up at him.

    No others but the couple stood in within the gazebo¡¯s delicate structure, but the elders and leaders of both packs formed an inner circle just outside the gazeebo. Estrella joined her husband¡¯s side, and as she met Selene¡¯s eyes, she gave an encouraging nod.

    For a moment, the air was eerily still, silence thick and unyielding. Then, the slight rustle of a breeze through the trees. The sound of bird wings fluttered nearby. A frog song off in the distance.

    She felt it in her bones before she heard it. A murmur. A low chanting, the song that awakened the ancient rites of Bonding. The air grew heavy with magic as it began to weave itself between Selene and Lucian, binding their souls and fates as one. A silver thread of light became visible, emerging from her chest and intertwining with the shadowy tendril that emanated from Lucian. The threads twisted together, intertwining themselves before connecting around the other person¡¯s wrist, shadow on Selene¡¯s, silver on Lucian¡¯s.

    Selene felt her body shudder as the magic coursed through her veins, searing her soul with the sensation of connection. Despite the magic though, Selene could sense that the magic was not complete and the bond was weak. A subtle reminder that he was not her True Mate.

    Lucian¡¯s grip tightened possessively around her hand as the tendrils of magic settled, and for a fleeting moment Selene could see past him, past the magic and into what she thought might be fate itself. A pair of burning amber eyes stared into her soul. Before she could process what she was seeing, Lucian gripped her hand again and the illusion was shattered.

    ¡°By the blessing of the Moon and the will of the Packs,¡± the elders proclaimed, ¡°the Bond is sealed.¡±

    Howls and hollers erupted all around the garden and echoed through the night air, but Selene felt dazed, her heart heavy and cold. Though bound to Lucian by ancient magic, an ominous foreboding settled deep within her soul. She was now set on the path to fulfill her duty, but what had she seen during the ritual, and why?

    ¡°Are you ready, my dear Selene?¡± asked Lucian, as he began unbuttoning his jacket and shirt.

    Selene could see the sleek definition of muscles under his shirt and peering through the parts he had unbuttoned, and she froze in panic. She had forgotten this part of the ceremony. She smiled at him shyly.

    ¡°This dress is quite hard to remove¡± She said quietly, hoping maybe this one time she wouldn¡¯t have to participate.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll help you,¡± he said, a dark twinkle in his eyes that she decidedly did not like.

    ¡°Oh, no its alright, really. I think I can manage.¡±

    The night hunt was the last part of the ceremony. All the able bodied and adult members of the joined families took to their wolf forms, and led by the bonded couple, took down prey. To eat together, to hunt together, to spill blood together.

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    Selene slipped off her heels and quickly unlace the bodice of her dress, letting it fall to the floor as she quickly shifted, not letting his eyes wander any more than she could help. Lucien smirked, and she could see his eyes taking in the ribbons now tied to her fur, and the moonstone that still hung around her neck.

    She cringed inwardly. She had been in such a hurry she forgot to take the necklace off. She prayed it didn¡¯t get caught on something and torn off, but she was not about to shift back just to take a necklace off.

    Lucien quickly removed the rest of his clothing as Selene pointedly looked away. Most of the other ceremony participants had already shifted, clothing neatly folded on the ground, and were waiting patiently for the signal. A growl behind her signaled the commencement of the hunt and she whirled around to launch herself into the brush, Lucien¡¯s shadowy form following quickly behind her.

    She knew this forest like the back of her paw, having ran past every tree, up every hill, through every valley. The night air had begun to cool and it felt good in her lungs as she raced through the thicket. Lucien kept pace with her easily.

    The scent of meat sent her senses alight and she slowed slightly to pinpoint the direction, but Lucien was already bounding off in another direction. Selene followed behind him, dodging tree trunks and fallen vegetation as she tried to keep pace but he was slightly faster, staying just a few lengths ahead.

    Suddenly they sprang out of the tree-line and Selene could see a herd of elk grazing in the distance ahead of them. Lucien pelted after the deer and she was close behind. She could hear the steps of those who had kept up. And so could the elk. In the distance, the few closest had started to run, and it only fueled the wolfs blood-lust in her. But they needed to work as a team in order to capture it.

    Slowly they adjusted, some running along the left flank of the herd, some along the right flank. There at the end, a larger cow with a slight limp who couldn¡¯t quite keep up with the rest.

    Lucien gave a yip and instinctively she knew. They honed in quickly but once again, Lucien got there first. He launched himself at the elks nose in an attempt to bring its head down towards the ground. Another wolf moved in and grabbed its flank. Selene saw her chance and leaped for its throat, hoping to give it a quick end.

    It kicked out against its attackers, connecting with the ribs of the wolf at its flank, but another moved in to take its place.

    Selene could taste the heavy iron of blood in her mouth and she bit harder, harder, until it was a torrent, the beast¡¯s hunger within her eager for the feast that was to come.

    The cow fought the pack for many long minutes, far longer than Selene thought possible. It turned its head toward her, despite Lucian putting his full weight on her snout, and she could see the flames of defiance where she thought there would be fear and despair. It felt like forever she gazed into her eyes.

    Selene harbored no hate for this fellow creature, it was just their nature, to eat, and be eaten. She knew this was probably an older cow who had birthed many into the world. Who had lead the herd for much of her lifetime. She was in awe of its will to fight despite the odds stacked against it. To protect. To survive. To endure.

    Estrella launched herself up on top of the elk, the silver tips of her dark coat like a halo against the moon. She sank her teeth into the back of the elks neck, and its legs buckled. It collapsed to the ground with a thud and stopped moving altogether. Howls of victory filled the air.

    As the rest of the pack tore into its hunt, Selene cast her gaze toward the distant forest, still longing for an escape that felt forever out of reach. Despite the despair and hopelessness she felt, a new emotion began to overcome her. She looked up to the moon as it bore silent witness to her oath and the burning sensation that had settled in her chest: defiance and determination, to survive, to protect those she loved, and to find her true destiny, no matter the price.

 Amber Eyes

    Sitting in front of her mirror and wiping the blood off her face, Selene thought about the elk and it¡¯s will to survive, and how it wasn¡¯t that unlike her mothers. Would she have the strength to be able to walk down that path too?

    A knock at the door brought her back from her musings and she straightened as her mother walked in the room, her expression somber.

    ¡°Lucian is here to bid you farewell, would you like to come out?¡±

    Selene almost said no, but stopped herself. Hopefully he was leaving and she could have a few days peace before she needed to pack.

    She stood up and her mother led her down to the foyer at the main entrance. All of their clothes were still bloodied. Lucien looked absolutely maniacal crazed with his face still full of blood and his attire spotted with dark splotches she knew were blood. None of them had time to clean up properly yet.

    Lucien took her hand and kissed the back of her blood smeared hand.

    ¡°My dear Selene,¡± he said, lowering her hand. She could see Tavian holding his side and her eyebrows raised in alarm. She thought back to the wolf who had taken a hoof to the ribs and frowned. Lucian chuckled.

    ¡°I must depart, but don¡¯t worry, he is not the reason. His carelessness on the hunt will be a lesson.¡±

    ¡°Will you be visiting again soon?¡± Selene asked, confused by his sudden and hasty departure. He gazed at her and the intensity of it made her look away. She could sense his enjoyment of her discomfort.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be visiting again.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    Selene was visibly confused but the expression on Lucien¡¯s face made her instincts prickle and she got that familiar feeling she could not articulate.

    ¡°You will be leaving tomorrow morning and coming to live with me. We will complete the second part of the ceremony tomorrow night.¡±

    Stunned and unable to speak, Selene¡¯s gaze darted over to her mother, whose serious expression had not changed.

    ¡°Tomorrow? So soon?¡± she managed to sputter.

    ¡°Do not worry, we shall have your things packed for you and sent after you. For now I bid you a good night, and we shall see each other tomorrow.¡± He bowed slightly and gave Selene a wide smile that was much more wolf than human, and more savage than made her comfortable.

    She watched him turn on his heel and quickly walk out the door, his entourage in tow, Tavian walking quite a bit slower than the others. Estrella slowly closed the door and looked apologetically back at her daughter.

    Selene fled up to her room.

    Flinging herself onto her bed, she found she had no more tears. In fact, she felt very little. She wondered where that determination she had felt earlier fled to, replaced by numbness and detachment.

    Estrella knocked on the door and didn¡¯t wait for an answer before she opened the door and walked in.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Selene, I did truly try to delay things, but he was very insistent.¡±

    ¡°I thought I had more time,¡± Selene said. She hadn¡¯t even gotten to say goodbye to any of her friends, and her younger siblings were away for the duration of the ceremony.

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    ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Estrella said, sitting on the bed next to Selene.

    ¡°Things come to pass at their own pace. All we can do is work to accept it. We anticipate the worst while hoping for the best.¡±

    They sat in silence, listening to the far off thumps and muffled voices in the dining hall of those who had not yet ended their revelry.

    ¡°I will say this. Be careful. Do not always believe your ears, or your eyes, or your nose. But always trust your instincts, your intuition is never wrong,¡±Estrella said and rose from the bed, giving Selene¡¯s leg a soft pat before walking out of the room.

    Realizing she was still bloodied and laying on her nice clean bedding, Selene immediately jumped off the bed. Her mothers words gave her no comfort in light of the conversation the previous night. Selene felt that something was going to happen, and she had no knowledge or control of it.

    She looked down at her blood smeared bonding gown, the crystals that covered it dull with blood. She put a hand to the necklace her mother gave her, astonished it had survived the hunt and was secure in its place. She sighed, too many thoughts and feelings swirling around in her mind, and decided a bath was in order.

    * * *

    Selene slept fitfully, tossing and turning, wandering through a world of not quite awake, not quite asleep. A strong wind whipped around her, a cacophony in her ears, leaving her deaf and a stinging on her skin and face that left her almost blind. Her mothers face ebbed in and out of her dreams, her expression worried. She mouthed words that Selene could not make out, her arms beckoned for someone she could not see.

    Lucian¡¯s face also appeared from the shadows, contorted in rage, shouting things she could not hear before fading back into the shadows.

    A warm light suddenly washed over her, bathing her in peace and when Selene looked down, she could see it came from her lower stomach. Puzzled, she put her hand over it, and it pulsed, warm and comforting.

    Through the torrent of darkness and chaos swirling around her, Selene could see a figure in the darkness walking towards her as the winds calmed. A tall woman with hair so pale it was almost silver wearing a simple white gown with gold trim. Selene blinked and suddenly the woman had ebony dark hair and wore a gown of midnight black with silver trim.

    ¡°Hello, little one,¡± said the woman, whose voice was both as light as the morning on a spring day  and deep as the ocean on a moonless night. ¡°And I am sorry.¡±

    Selene furrowed her brows as she looked up at the mysterious figure.

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°For the anguish, the suffering, and the trials that you will face,¡± she said, her form ever shifting. Selene felt slow, sluggish, like she couldn¡¯t comprehend what was happening.

    ¡°We must burden you with a gift. A precious gift. Please treat her well,¡± the figure said. She turned and walked away and the turmoil and chaos around her ensued.

    ¡°What do you mean trials?¡± Selene screamed and froze. On the other side of the storm, a pair of amber eyes watched her until everything went black.

 False Betrayal

    Duskveil estate was enormous and Selene took in the details as the carriage rattled along the winding road that approached the grand expanse of buildings and gardens. Four towering spires jutted up into the early evening sky, black and ominous. The entire estate was some shade of black, from the bushes in the courtyard, to the balconies, to the stone surface of the buildings themselves. The only things that weren¡¯t black, were the roses that lined various parts of the estate. They were a blood red color, but even the edges of the petals were black.

    Mist clung to the ancient forest surrounding the manor and heavy iron gates creaked as they opened to admit the carriage into the courtyard. The entire estate loomed like a shadowy monolith, its stone walls weathered and cold, reflecting the light of the waning sun, shrouding everything in a eerie haze.

    The carriage stopped in front of the front entrance and line of what looked like maids and butlers streamed out of the door to line the walkway up to the double doors leading into the great hall.

    Selene stared in wonder out of the carriage window before the coachman opened the door and held up his hand, waiting to assist her as she stepped out. She took it and stepped out onto the cobbled surface of the courtyard, glancing around in awe at everything. How could he afford all this? It might have been beautiful, had it not given off such an air of violence and oppression.

    One of the maids stepped out from the lineup and turned to Selene.

    ¡°Greetings Mistress Selene. I hope that your journey was not overly difficult,¡± said the maid with a bow, and Selene shook her head.

    ¡°It was long, but thankfully uneventful.¡±

    The maid smiled and gestured for Selene to follow her.

    She guided Selene through the grand, dimly lit halls. Shadows danced all along the walls and beautifully intricate tapestries depicted scenes from long forgotten battles and paintings captured the visages of leaders whose names had been lost too time. The air was thick with the scent of musk, medicinal herbs and aged wood, and the echoes of her footsteps seemed dull, the sound swallowed in the vastness of the mansion. Despite its size, Selene felt as if the walls closed in around her.

    The maid guided her up a curved staircase to another floor. They stopped in front of the room at the far end of the hall and when the maid opened the door, Selene could see that it was the same decor as the rest of the mansion, though different colors, and she could feel the spaciousness of the room, with its high ceilings and arched windows that allowed the last glow of sunset to spill across the dark wooden floors. The walls were dark blue with silver trim and heavy velvet blue drapes framed the windows. An intricately carved four-poster bed dominated most of the space with black sheets of black silk, smooth against her fingers as she walked over and touched their surface. A massive stone hearth crackled with weak flames, offering little warmth against the mansions somber atmosphere.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you for now to get settled in,¡± said the maid with a bow. ¡°Someone will arrive shortly to help you with ceremony preparations.¡±

    Selene merely nodded and sank down to sit on the edge of the bed once the maid had left.

    Her mind was  storm of confusion, fear, anxiety. Her hand instinctively rested on her abdomen, where life stirred¡ªa life she could not explain¡ªand her mother¡¯s words echoed in her mind: ¡°Always trust your instincts.¡± Her innocence remained intact, and yet, the truth of her condition was undeniable to her senses. She knew the truth to her very core. She was with child, and she did not know how.

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    How would Lucian react? Would he know? Would he believe her if she said she had not been with anyone?

    A cold sweat poured down her back and her stomach hurt with the uncertainty of her predicament, an ominous weight pressing down on her, a warning her that something was about to go terribly wrong.

    But she took a deep breath. She sat up straight, set her shoulders back and held her chin up.

    They would have a ceremony that night, when the moon had reached its highest point. She would be bound to Lucian Duskveil, an Alpha whose power and influence stretched across the land. She would be his mate, and she would protect her family.

    She rose and moved to the dressing table where a gown had been laid out for her. It was crafted from silver silk that cascaded like water to the floor, shimmering faintly in the dim light. The bodice was adorned with delicate, dark blue embroidery that mirrored the constellations in the sky, and the chiffon sleeves billowed out like shadows. A myriad of shadowy gemstones glittered and sparkled all around the dress, almost in direct opposition to the dress she had worn the previous night. She slipped into the dress, the fabric embracing every curve.

    She reached to the necklace at her throat, the moonstone she had received from her mother, grateful for its presence. As she adjusted the silver clasp at the back of her neck, a knock echoed through the chamber, but before she could respond, the door opened and Lucian stepped inside. A jolt of panic started to rise in her, but she took a deep breath and swallowed her fear. Certainly he would be reasonable if she told him everything.

    His tall, athletic frame was draped in dark ceremonial robes, and his presence exuded cold authority. His expression was smug, as if he had won some great game that no one else was privy to.

    ¡°My dear Selene¡ª¡° He abruptly stopped halfway across the room and scowled, his silvery green eyes, usually composed, calculating, darkened with something far more volatile as they swept over her.

    ¡°You look¡­ fitting,¡± he said, inhaling, as his eyes swept over her, assessing her.

    Selene¡¯s pulse quickened and she lowered her eyes, unsure of what to say, all the things she thought she might have gone from her mind. The air thickened with tension, and she felt the first tendrils of fear creeping up her spine.

    Lucian stepped closer, his hand brushing against her arm. His eyes narrowed and his jaw tensed for a moment. ¡°Tonight, you become mine,¡± he murmured, though the words felt more like a threat than a promise.

    He grabbed her arm suddenly and she let out a yelp.

    ¡°Or you would have, if you weren¡¯t a whore,¡± he hissed through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Let me go, I can explain,¡± Selene said as she put her hands on his, trying to pry his fingers loose and break free.

    ¡°Explain how you¡¯ve been with another man right under my nose?¡± he sneered. ¡°Why has your scent changed? Who have you been with?¡±

    ¡°No one,¡± Selene cried, ¡°I had a dream last night that I was pregnant. It¡¯s a gift from the goddess Nyara.¡±

    He paused for a moment and Selene looked up at his face. It was eerily calm.

    ¡°I will get rid of it,¡± he said softly. ¡°I will get rid of your both.¡±

    His fingers dug into the flesh of her arm as he began to drag her out the door.

 The Hunt

    Selene¡¯s wrist burned as Lucian¡¯s iron grip dragged her through the dimly lit corridors of the Duskveil estate like a puppy dragged cruelly at the end of a leash. The sound of her heartbeat roared in her ears and panic overtook her in waves, making her breathing come rapid and shallow. It amplified the sound of each heavy footstep that echoed against the cold, stone walls and made the shadows cast by flickering torches seem more ominous as they danced across the portraits that hung on the walls

    ¡°Please, let me go,¡± Selene pleaded, her voice trembling as her hand still plucked uselessly at the fingers that dug into her skin. ¡°Lucian, please¡ªthere¡¯s been a mistake.¡±

    He said nothing. She could see his jaw clench and unclench, and though she could not see his eyes, she knew they were blazing with fury and contempt.

    They reached the entrance of the grand hall and the great wooden doors seemed to scream as Lucian kicked them in, making the metal of the hinges scape together.

    The room, vast and dismal with its black decor that matched the rest of the mansion, was filled with members of both the Nyxbourne and Duskveil packs. Elders, warriors, nobles, and those from every sort of class and profession stood in solemn witness to what was meant to be a union of strength and bloodlines. Now they would bear witness to her humiliation.

    Lucian shoved her forward and Selene stumbled, falling to her hands and knees on the cold marble floor. She looked up and she was before a throne, towering and shadowy with the back made of a myriad of sharp pointed decor shooting towards the ceiling. The cushion was the same blood red of the roses in the courtyard and she shuddered at its grim appearance.

    Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, but no one dared step forward.

    ¡°Betrayer! We have been taken for fools, my dear family and guests,¡± he said, his voice thundering through the hall and echoing off the ceilings. ¡°This woman¡ªwho was to be bonded to me, who was to be my mate and unite our packs¡ªcarries another¡¯s spawn within her!¡±

    Selene¡¯s breath hitched as she choked back a sob, a wave of shock and horror washing over her. ¡°I¡¯ve been with no one,¡± she cried, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. ¡°I swear it.¡± She felt like she was screaming into a void, as if she spoke and no one could hear.

    Lucian¡¯s laugh was cold and cruel. ¡°You are a deceiving bitch, the scent of another¡¯s blood taints you. You have defiled our bond and dishonored your bloodline.¡± He turned to the gathered witnesses. ¡°The alliance between Duskveil and Nyxbourne is severed. By her betrayal, she has brought ruin upon her pack.¡±

    Selene¡¯s eyes darted over the crowd, searching for her mother and father, but she did not see them in the ocean of unfamiliar faces. The weight of her family¡¯s legacy pressed against her chest, suffocating, immobilizing, and she wondered if they would still love her. It was then Selene made a chilling realization. Now that her family was a target, she wondered if she would even survive the night to see them again. Or if they would escape his newly forged vendetta.

    Lucian¡¯s hand shot out, seizing her by the arm so hard she screamed. His ensuing laugh was chilling and malicious as he scowled down at her. ¡°You are nothing but a stain on this sacred night.¡±

    With a brutal yank, he dragged her through the hall once more, past faces now twisted with judgment, fear, and disgust. Selene fought against him as hard as she could, biting, scratching, kicking, but his strength was relentless. The heavy doors to the courtyard opened as he approached, and the cold night air rushed to meet her.

    Lucian threw her onto the rain-soaked cobblestones, her body landing with a painful thud on her side. Thunder rumbled in the distance as if the heavens themselves were angry with her.

    He stood staring down at her, the rain soaking them both to the bone.

    ¡°Run, my dear Selene,¡± he said calmly, his voice colder than a winter storm. ¡°Run far and fast, for the hunt begins now. There will be no mercy.¡±

    He turned and walked back into the mansion and the massive doors slammed shut behind him, sealing her fate and leaving her in the darkness.

    A howl echoed from within the estate, soon followed by more, until there was a choir of howls filling the air and signaling the hunt that would commence. Selene pushed herself to her feet, cradling her abdomen protectively. Fear coiled in her chest as she stumbled the courtyard¡¯s gate. She glimpsed the towering forest that loomed in the distance, the shadows of it¡¯s ancient trees beckoning her into the unknown.

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    ¡°I will survive,¡± she whispered to the night. The determination and defiance she had felt before began to rise in her again. She must live. She must survive. She must thrive. ¡°For you, my little one. I will endure.¡±

    The slow, chilling padding of wolf paws on wet ground echoed behind her and she fled the courtyard, kicking off her shoes and sprinting across the sprawling field that lay between her and the forest. She was full stride, her breathing slow and measured, when she tried to shift, trying to find that familiar tug of the wolf body at the back of her mind.

    Nothing.

    She tried again, concentrating as the tree-line approached, searching desperately for the wolf inside of her.

    She suddenly felt it. Somewhere far off, disconnected from her but still part of her. She had never heard of pregnancy stopping a shift, but then again, she supposed not many had ever been impregnated by a goddess.

    The trees were rapidly approaching and she ran faster, bracing her arms in front of herself. She crashed through the dense vegetation and headlong into the forest, branches whipping at her arms, some of them cutting deep enough to draw blood.

    She persisted, running headlong through the trees, trying to keep here eyes as far ahead of her as she could to avoid trees and anything that would block her path. The damp forest air smelled of earth and decaying vegetation and she breathed it in deeply, trying to keep her lungs full, but her breathing steady.

    In the distance, howls grew closer.

    The full moon cast pale light through the branches sometimes, illuminating her way like a beacon, but she knew better. If she could see the way, she would also been seen.

    She tried to shift once more, to find the form that could carry her to safety, but only found a void where her wolf form should be.

    She tripped.

    She put her arms around her stomach and slowed her pace, cradling, instinctively protecting the life inside her, but she did not fall. She caught her rhythm once more and picked up the pace.

    It wasn¡¯t long before her lungs began to burn, and her limbs felt heavy, but she pressed on. She thought she was deep in the forest, but the trees had begun to thin out an the vegetation grew sparse and ill-nourished. She could see further and further between the trees, which had also begun to grow smaller, and more sickly.

    A wolf yipped somewhere in the distance, startling her, and she suddenly realized they were toying with her. She would have never been able to outrun them otherwise, her human body was much too slow to out pace a wolf. She had been so frantic to get away she hadn¡¯t thought about why they they hadn¡¯t caught her quickly. She pursed her lips and leaned further into the run. She would find a way out of this situation.

    She felt like she had been running for hours, like time had forgotten to continue onward, when suddenly an intense burning sensation suddenly swept over her body, all the way to her core, making her shudder. The forest immediately disappeared, as if a great being had come and cleared them all suddenly away. Only parched dirt and vegetation remained.

    It was no longer raining, but a dense fog had descended, one so thick it seemed to cling to her body. She couldn¡¯t see her path anymore and her foot caught on a root, but as she tried to catch her balance with the other, there was suddenly no more ground beneath her. Her body exhausted, she curled into a protective ball and tumbled down the side of a steep ravine.

    She could feel every bump, scratch, and slice of her fall before landing on her back, the breath completely knocked from her body. She lay still for a moment, gasping for air. Something flickered above, further down the ravine.

    Shadows flickered above her and she felt the panic rise in her, but she gritted her teeth and silently got to her hands and knees, mud clinging to her skin and the dress that was now in tatters around her, determination driving her forward.

    She froze, one of the dark misty forms venturing near. A howl in the distance made her wince, but the shadow darted back into the mist and away from her.

    ¡°Goddess, protect me,¡± she whispered. Her body, and her voice, trembled in fear and exhaustion. Her scent must have been dampened by the rain and the fog. This was her chance to run to freedom.

    She kept her stance low, her feet stepping softly as she walked carefully to avoid anymore falls.

    She would escape. She had to.

 Silver Savior

    Selene had been walking the edge of a ravine for hours, one she had seen through the thinning fog this time at least. Her breathing was still rapid and shallow as she stumbled forward, her limbs trembling from exertion and fear. Despite the fog around her growing thinner in the pre-dawn light, it left her cold and damp, seeping into her bones and making her shiver against the chill of the air. It felt more like autumn here rather than the warm summer season she knew it was.

    Once the fog burned away completely with the morning sun, she would be vulnerable. She could still hear the distant howls of Lucian¡¯s wolves. They weren¡¯t directly behind her anymore, but they were still too close for her to put her guard down. Wolves had keen noses and they could pick her scent back up at any time.

    She hesitated as the softer bits of earth at the edge gave way and cascaded into the void below. The entire edge of the cliff seemed ready to collapse beneath her weight and she wished she knew how deep it went. If it was more ravine than canyon, she might be tempted to press her luck in descending. She glanced left and right, searching for a safer path, but the ravine stretched endlessly in either direction. A tree, not far from her, clung to the edge of the ravine as its limbs and roots dangled into the misty void below it.

    This was the path she would take.

    Her heart pounded in her chest as she gripped the gnarled roots of the ancient tree and carefully began her descent. Her fingers ached as she clung to the whip-like roots, her feet clawing at the crumbling soil of the ravine wall. Her body protested and ached with each movement, but the fear of the hunt spurred her on.

    It took many painful minutes until she was halfway down, finally able to see the bottom as the mist dissipated. An old tree trunk lay on its side below her, and she could see a hole in the top. She wondered if it would be big or sturdy enough to hide in.

    Her foot slipped on the dusty, crumbling surface. She inhaled sharply, trying to retain her footing so she was not dangling freely, but the dirt merely disintegrated into tiny pieces and fell to the ground below. She could hear the creak of the tree above, the sharp sound of wood splintering.

    She let out a strangled cry as a loud snap sent her free-falling for several terrifying seconds. A searing pain in her back and side made her vision go white as she crashed through the hollowed-out trunk of the rotting tree, the ancient wood splintering beneath her weight.

    Agony flared through her head and body as she hit the ground and the air left her lungs. She gasped for a few moments, struggling to breathe against the pain and the air that had been knocked from her body. She took small, shallow breaths, trying to maintain a rhythm and control, but a new, more isolated pang to the side of her stomach had begun to blossom and she winced. She moved to put a hand to her stomach and to her dismay, she felt a jagged piece of wood sticking out of her.

    She tried to lift her head to see the damage, but the world began to spin violently and she felt sick as pain overwhelmed her senses once more so she closed her eyes tightly. She lay sprawled on the forest floor, her body broken and bleeding. The world around her felt as if it tilted and swayed as her consciousness flickered.

    She did not know how long she laid there as her consciousness faded in and out. Some moments she felt coherent, the pain in her body present and grounding despite the vertigo. Other moments the delirium took her, twisting her fears into nightmares as she saw Lucian standing above her, his cold eyes gleaming with rage and vengeance as he ripped a crying infant from her arms. Her scream echoed through the darkness as she reached for her child, but her limbs felt heavy and useless. Shadows of wolves circled her, watching as she bled out onto the floor of the Duskveil estate grand hall.

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    Amber eyes appeared first in the mist, glowing with an otherworldly light before a woman with soft white hair emerged, standing above her. Selene blinked, struggling to distinguish reality from her fevered visions, but immediately closed her eyes again as her skull felt like it would crack into two and the vertigo was almost too much.

    ¡°Are you¡­real?¡± she murmured, her voice cracking and barely a whisper.

    The woman knelt beside her, her hands gentle as they assessed Selene¡¯s wounds. ¡°Don¡¯t talk,¡± she said, her voice low and soothing, her presence ethereal and calming. ¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±

    Selene¡¯s head lolled to the side. She tried to hold on, to speak to the woman in her dreams, but she faded.

    * * *

    A soft breeze stirred around her, carrying the rich scent of earth and pine and blooming wildflowers. Selene¡¯s body felt weightless as she drifted in a space between reality and dreams. The pain in her side had ebbed away and she felt a sense of peace.

    Before her stood Nyara, bathed in golden light and hidden in shadow, her two halves always in fluctuation. Her expression was curious, but not unwelcoming. Her eyes gleamed like the morning sun, and then the midnight moon, but they held a little bit of amusement.

    ¡°Child, welcome once more. What ails you little one?¡± she asked, her voice deep and light at the same time.

    Selene stood in silence for a moment.

    ¡°Why me?¡± she asked, ¡°Why this child?¡±

    Nyara¡¯s expression changed to one of sympathy.

    ¡°Once there was four great packs. Nyxbourne, Duskveil, Solmere, and Dawncaller.¡±

    ¡°I know about them!¡± Selene spat. ¡°What does that have to do with me?¡±

    ¡°Opportunity,¡± said the Goddess patiently. ¡°Over the centuries, the divine power blessed upon them has waned, and the balance between the light, and the dark, has tipped, allowing the darkness to overcome the light.¡±

    ¡°But darkness must always relinquish to the light, just as the light must surrender itself to the dark in an eternal cycle, the balance of life¡ª¡±the goddesses expression became stern and serious, and her voice became deeper until it was booming¡ª¡°You, Selene Nyxbourne, are from one the two packs who where blessed with the dark divine. And you will now birth the divine power of light once more into the world. You will help to restore balance, your child has a destiny. Salvation.¡±

    Nyara¡¯s expression turned sorrowful. ¡°Fate¡¯s threads are woven in ways even I do not fully understand. She is fickle in her ways and I cannot interfere directly in another Gods affairs, any more than I can mortal ones. But I can counsel those who walk the path of destiny. Your mate¡¯s rejection was not merely born of hatred and betrayal. His instincts fear the divine energy your child possesses. It threatens everything he has fought to claim.¡±

    Selene¡¯s eyes filled with tears. ¡°He will never stop hunting us,¡± she said, despair threatening to overtake her.

    ¡°No,¡± Nyara said gently. ¡°But you are not alone. Allies will come to your aid, willing to protect you and the life you carry.¡±

    Selene suddenly felt her body growing heavier, her consciousness slipping away once more. ¡°Please... don¡¯t leave me. I have so many questions.¡±

    Nyara reached out, her glowing and shadowy hand brushing Selene¡¯s cheek. ¡°I am always with you, child. Survive, for through your blood and the blessing of the goddess, your daughter will bring balance¡±

    The world faded into darkness once more, and Selene surrendered to the pull of unconsciousness, the goddess¡¯s words echoing in her mind.

 Ruvalas Eyes

    Selene drifted between the haze of unconsciousness and the dull throb of pain that pulsed through her body. Her delirium kept her from truly resting, hovering between dreams and reality.

    Her senses returned sluggishly but the first thing she registered was the chill of the ground beneath her. It made her shiver uncontrollably, despite the blanket that was draped over her body. She tried to stir, but pain lanced through her entire body, the worst of it centralized at her side and her head, which pounded.

    She blinked slowly, still expecting to feel violently sick when she opened her eyes, but surprisingly she only felt mildly disoriented, and she blinked against the blur in her vision.

    A shadow moved above her, blocking out the dim light that filtered through the hole in the tree she had made. She looked up to see a massive creature peering down at her through the jagged opening above, and for a moment her stomach clenched and her heart beat faster. She couldn¡¯t move and she had nowhere to go, she would not get far.

    Realization gave way to relief though, as she recognized the creature curiously sniffing down at her. Its broad, leathery snout flared as it huffed a deep breath, kicking up dust. Towering antlers, stretched toward the sky like branches of an ancient tree. Its large, dark eyes regarded her with curiosity and caution. She was a predator after all.

    She looked around at her surroundings. The trunk of the tree was large, spacious enough she could stand up in, though she would have to duck in order to not hit her head. She wondered how tall the creature in the ceiling had to be in order to look in on her.

    Selene tried to move, but the smallest movement sent pain lancing through her side, forcing a sharp gasp from her lips. Her stomach churned violently, bile rising to her throat from the pain as her body protested even the smallest motion. A whimper escaped her mouth and the sudden noise startled the beast. It let out a low, resonant grunt before stepping back from the hole in the ceiling. She could hear the thud of its hooves, slow and heavy, on the ground as it moved away.

    "It¡¯s good to see you¡¯re awake," a low voice crooned.

    Selene''s breath caught in her throat as she turned her head toward the source. She did not even hear the footsteps of the figure crouched nearby, partially obscured by shadows. It was a beautiful woman, her silver hair long and cascading in untamed waves over broad shoulders. Though she was still, there was something undeniably wild about her presence, something powerful and steady. Selene did not have to see her eyes, covered by shadow, to know that they were amber in color.

    "Who¡ª" Selene''s voice cracked, her throat raw and dry. She swallowed and tried again. "Who are you?" she managed to get out, but it sounded hoarse and still cracked midway.

    "Ruvala," the woman said simply before standing halfway and walking over to kneel closer to Selene. Now that the woman was in the light and Selene could see her properly, she could see Ruvala¡¯s eyes, serious and powerful, like a storm barely contained. She moved with the ease of a predator, yet there was no immediate threat in her stance¡ªonly observation and calculation.

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    Selene realized instantly Ruvala was also a werewolf, though she hid it incredibly well. Despite being cut off from her own wolf, she could still feel the resonance of another, now matter how much they try to hide it.

    Selene looked into Ruvala¡¯s eyes, now able to see them away from the darkness. Ruvala caught her gaze and held it. Her expression warmed slightly and Selene felt a strange, yet intense pull towards the woman. It was something deeper than gratitude or fear or lust. It was something she couldn''t name.

    "You were lucky," Ruvala continued, breaking eye contact and stepping closer until she was right beside where Selene lay under her blanket. "Landing in this tree probably saved your life. The rotten timber broke your fall and kept you from being an easy meal for some of the creatures that roam here. Unfortunately¡ª¡±Ruvala gestured to the splinter at Selene¡¯s side,¡±¡ªit didn¡¯t leave you unscathed.¡±

    Selene winced as she shifted slightly, her hand instinctively moving to the area where the large splinter had jutted from her side. She could feel the rough texture of bandages wrapped tightly around the middle of her torso, but the splinter was gone. The bandage felt damp from what she assumed was likely a poultice or blood. Possibly both. She sucked in a breath, suddenly remembering the fall and the searing pain of the landing.

    A jolt of panic went through her body as she put a hand to her lower stomach. To her relief, she could still sense the life there and she breathed a sigh of relief.

    "A large sliver of wood pierced your side,¡± said Ruvala, watching her intently. ¡°I removed it and did what I could to stop the bleeding, but you''re not out of danger yet. We still have to worry about infection." She crossed her arms, gaze unwavering. "You¡¯ll need proper treatment, and soon."

    Selene let her head rest back against the earth, exhaustion settling deep in her bones. The weight of everything¡ªthe fall, the hunt, the child she carried, the goddess¡¯s words¡ªpressed down on her all at once.

    "Where¡­ where are we?" Selene managed to croak out.

    "You¡¯ve wandered into The Ruined. Right now we¡¯re not far not far from my home, and there''s a small town a few days from here where we can get you better healing." Ruvala tilted her head slightly.

    "You''re fortunate my elk Orren found you when I did."

    Selene let out a weak, breathy laugh. "Fortunate isn¡¯t exactly the word I would use."

    Ruvala¡¯s lips quirked slightly, almost imperceptibly, into a smirk. "I don¡¯t know about you, but alive is more fortunate than dead in my opinion.¡±

    Selene exhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a brief moment. She was indeed alive. A small victory at the least.

    When she opened them again, Ruvala was still watching her, her gaze unwavering and steady. Selene met her gaze again, and for the first time since the nightmare had begun, she felt something other than fear, and while it was something she still didn''t quite understand, she promised herself she would figure out what it was.

 Cart Ride

    The steady creak of wooden wheels filled the quiet morning air as the cart rolled along the uneven terrain. Selene shifted slightly, wincing as pain lanced through her side with each bump and jerk, but she willed herself to remained silent. There was no comfort to be had in this trek. What would have normally been a rhythmic sway was now a violent jostle beneath her. The pile of blankets around her did nothing to soften the ride. Above her, the sky was an endless, dark blue expanse as the late morning began to merge into midday.

    Orren pulled the cart with ease, his massive hooves making soft thuds against the dry earth. When Ruvala had helped her into the cart, she had been able to get a good look at his enormous body before he was buckled into the harness used to pull the cart. His towering antlers were white and swayed slightly with each step, each side having a prong bearing a small dish at the front. His fur was a dark tan color, almost the color of the ground he plodded on. Camouflage perhaps? Though he was so enormous, Selene didn¡¯t even want to think about what sort of animal would hunt something of his size.

    Ruvala walked just ahead of him, one hand loosely holding the leather reins of his halter, the other combing her fingers through her fine hair. It caught the light with the movement and it looked as if strands of fine silver glinted in the sunlight. She moved with a quiet confidence. Even without words, she exuded an air of absolute control and observation over her surroundings, as if she belonged to the land itself.

    Selene exhaled a breath she didn¡¯t realize she had been holding before she sharply sucked in air between her teeth, as one of the cart wheels hit another pothole. She still felt weak, her limbs heavy with exhaustion and her torso still sore and in pain, but she still found herself looking around, taking in her surroundings.

    The terrain was barren, cracked earth stretching as far as she could see with only sparse, gnarled trees and plants with violent looking thorns clinging stubbornly to life. The Ruined was aptly named¡ªthis place felt tainted, it reeked of withered life and desolation, a land drained of vitality and unable to heal.

    Selene glanced toward Ruvala, whose face she could not see as she guided Orren forward. The silence between them was thick, but Selene¡¯s thoughts refused to settle.

    ¡°They¡¯re still out there,¡± Selene murmured, her voice still hoarse from dehydration and all the running she had done¡ªthe screaming. ¡°The Hunt. I can feel them. They¡¯ll find me.¡±

    She put a hand on her stomach, still sensing the tiny life inside her. Strong and unbothered by the crisis inside and outside her body.

    Ruvala didn¡¯t turn, but Selene caught the slight cock of her head as she listened. She reached for a small pouch at her belt and untied it, holding it up without breaking a stride.

    ¡°This will keep them off our trail,¡± she said simply.

    Selene eyed the pouch skeptically. ¡°A charm bag?¡±

    ¡°A scent deterrent,¡± Ruvala corrected. ¡°It¡¯s made from herbs and minerals that can mask scents from many creatures. Normally it¡¯s used for hunting,¡± she opened the pouch and Orren swung his head around to nose at the bag. A scent wafted her direction and despite her wolf senses dampened by the pregnancy, the overwhelming scent of wet dirt, mint, and lemon filled her nose, overpowering everything else in the area.

    ¡°Wolves rely on their noses more than anything else. If they can¡¯t track you, you¡¯re as good as gone.¡± Ruvala closed the pouch and tucked it back into her belt. ¡°I placed a small amount on the bottom of the cart. You¡¯re safe¡ªfor now.¡±

    Selene wanted to believe her, but instinct told her otherwise. Though she had only known Lucian for a very short time, their time together even shorter, she had seen his rage firsthand and knew the depth of his cruelty. He wouldn¡¯t rest until he had what he wanted, which was her death.

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    Still, there was something about Ruvala¡¯s presence, the sheer certainty in her voice, that made Selene breathe just a little easier.

    They continued in silence, the barren landscape stretching endlessly before them. It was nearing mid afternoon now and the sun beat down on Selene mercilessly through the small blanket tent she had managed to fashion for herself. Ruvala had given her a small water-skin to drink from, and it had been emptied quickly.

    It wasn¡¯t until they crested a small ridge that Selene finally spoke again.

    ¡°What is this place exactly?¡± she asked, looking around at the desolation. ¡°The Ruined¡­ it wasn¡¯t always like this, was it?¡±

    Ruvala looked around, her gaze sweeping out toward the landscape briefly before returning to the path ahead. ¡°No,¡± she said, voice even. ¡°This used to all be fertile land. I used to hear tales of it, that generations ago, it was like any other place¡ªforests, rivers, life. Then, something changed. No one knows exactly what happened, but the land stopped yielding. Crops wouldn¡¯t grow, rivers dried up. Some of the creatures that remained¡­¡± She trailed off, her grip on Orren¡¯s reins tightening slightly. ¡°They became something else.¡±

    Selene swallowed, glancing toward the twisted remnants of trees, the cracked, dry ground. She had heard stories and gossip at balls and gathers, of course¡ªrumors and tales of a land where nothing thrived, a parched and bleak land where monsters roamed. But seeing it with her own eyes was different.

    ¡°People really still live here?¡± she asked.

    Ruvala nodded. ¡°Some. Those who have nowhere else to go, or those hardy enough who know how to survive.¡±

    Selene frowned. ¡°Survive on what? If nothing grows¡­¡±

    Ruvala stared ahead, unflinching. ¡°The creatures.¡±

    Selene shivered despite the heat. She did not know what these creatures looked like, nor did she want to, but the thought of eating something that might be tainted made her stomach churn. But necessity breeds resilience, she supposed, or something like that.

    They fell into silence again, the cart rolling steadily onward. The wind carried the distant cry of something unnatural, a sound that sent a chill down Selene¡¯s spine. She wrapped the blanket around herself tighter, her mind swirling with thoughts of what lay ahead as the cry sounded further off into the distance.

    After a long moment, she broke the silence. "Why don¡¯t you live in one of the settlements? If there are people surviving out here, wouldn¡¯t it be easier to stay with them?"

    Ruvala remained quiet for many long moments, her fingers tightening slightly on Orren¡¯s reins. Selene wondered if she had overstepped, but just as she was about to change the subject, Ruvala finally spoke.

    "I prefer solitude," she said simply. "Easier for everyone that way."

    Selene studied her, waiting for more. When Ruvala didn¡¯t elaborate, she pressed, "Easier how?"

    A breath of wind stirred the dust along the path, creating small dust devils in its wake. Ruvala¡¯s face turned toward the horizon, unreadable. "I help people when they most need it. Some come here by accident, some on purpose. Either way, most don¡¯t last long in The Ruined. I make sure they can at least get back across the Veil if they want to. Or¡­ find a place to start over if they don¡¯t have a choice."

    Selene absorbed the information quietly. Ruvala had evaded her question entirely, but still, she hadn¡¯t expected Ruvala to be someone who sought those lost, guiding them through the dangers of this cursed land. And yet, the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. There was something about Ruvala that felt steady¡ªunyielding. A guardian of sorts. Not bound by obligation, but by choice. Perhaps by duty?

    "You patrol the border," Selene murmured, watching the way Ruvala¡¯s shoulders tensed just slightly at the words. "Looking for those who can¡¯t protect themselves."

    Ruvala glanced back at her, something flashing behind her eyes before she looked ahead again. "I suppose so."

    Selene found herself staring, drawn in by the quiet strength Ruvala carried so effortlessly. There was still so much she didn¡¯t understand about this woman, about the life she lived out here in these dead lands. But for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn¡¯t feel completely alone.

    Ruvala glanced back at her. ¡°Rest while you can,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ll reach my home in a few hours.¡±

    Selene wanted to ask more, wanted to understand this strange woman who had saved her, but exhaustion weighed heavy on her limbs. Against her better judgment, she let her head rest against the blankets and closed her eyes and despite the jostling sway of the cart, she was lulled into uneasy rest.

 Small Respite

    The journey stretched long into the afternoon, the sun bearing down oppressively on the barren landscape. Though The Ruined was an unforgiving place¡ªthe ground uneven and pitted and the sun almost unbearably hot while the air still retained its chill¡ªRuvala navigated it with practiced ease, guiding Orren along winding paths worn into the cracked earth. Selene, still weak and aching, lay back in the cart, half-draped in a blanket to ward off the sun as she watched the landscape shift around them.

    At first, it was difficult to notice any change. The land remained arid, dotted with skeletal trees and the occasional rocky outcroppings. But as they pressed on, Selene began to see more and more signs of habitation. Small cairns piled parallel to each other at regular intervals¡ªshe later realized were path markers¡ªled the way on either side of the cart. Small trails crisscrossed the terrain and she could see foot and hoof tracks alike. In the distance she could see a sturdy rock wall

    As they approached the rock wall, Selene could tell that it was made from stones of all sizes stacked neatly on top of each other, with no holes between them. And just on the other other side, nestled within a shallow valley, she saw it.

    It was a hut of stone and packed earth built half into the side of the valley wall, sturdier and a bit larger than she had expected. The structure blended into the landscape, its sharp edges and sloping, uneven roof giving it a camouflaged look, almost as if it had risen naturally from the earth itself. A wooden door, weathered but strong, stood further back from the overhang of the roof, creating a protected space within where stacks of neatly piled firewood sat. The air here felt different¡ªstill wild, still tainted by The Ruined, but with a quiet resilience. A small bit of solace in a wide expanse of despair.

    Orren came to a stop, exhaling a deep, heavy breath and began pawing at the ground. Ruvala murmured something to the elk before tying his reins to a post. Then she turned to Selene.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± she said simply.

    Selene hesitated before shifting her weight and attempting to climb out of the cart. Her body protested immediately, sharp pain lancing through her side as her stomach tensed to sit up completely. She cried out and Ruvala was beside her in an instant, steadying her with a firm grip around her shoulder and at her back, gently lowering her back against the pile of blankets.

    ¡°Don¡¯t strain yourself, you¡¯re still injured,¡± Ruvala said, her voice low but unwavering. ¡°Here, let me help you.¡± She moved the hand from Selene¡¯s shoulder to under her legs, and the hand at her back braced against her shoulders and suddenly she was in the air, instinctively grasping her hands around Ruvala¡¯s neck.

    She felt the flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck to her cheeks, but she kept her eyes down and said nothing. Selene had been much more stubborn that morning, only letting the other woman put an arm under her shoulder as they walked, but this time, she was not given the choice to protest.

    Ruvala¡¯s shoulders felt firm and strong under Selene¡¯s arms, the muscles underneath her shirt hidden by its lose folds. She smelled of earth, campfire, and old blood, just a little bit tainted, but not unpleasant.

    Selene let herself be carried toward the hut, and as soon as they stepped through the threshold, warmth surrounded her. The interior was surprisingly spacious, the small entry outside deceptive in more ways than one. Against the far side the room, to the right of a doorway, was a fully stocked cooking area with a large clay and stone hearth set into the wall, while herbs hung from a drying rack over one of the counters. A sturdy wooden table with two mismatched chairs occupied the space in the middle of the room.

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    To the left, on the opposing far corner, a large table sat, a vast variety of tools and weapons Selene had no name for filling the wall above the table as several large shelves and a few storage chests spanned the wall past the table.

    A wooden trapdoor set into the floor near Ruvala¡¯s feet caught her attention. A cellar for storage, no doubt. The house was small, but it was well-built, well-stocked¡ªcomfortable in a way she hadn¡¯t expected.

    Ruvala moved further into the house, past the front room and entered a second room. It was slightly less spacious than the front room but there was a large bed to the right, covered with animals fur and blankets, with storage for what she assumed would be clothing and personal items, and a place to the far side of the room that looked like it was used for bathing.

    Ruvala laid Selene gently onto the bed before standing up and turning.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± she said, disappearing through the doorway.

    Selene sat in the bed, surprisingly far more comfortable than it seemed, and looked around. A large bathing area seemed to be sunken into the floor, which she noticed was all stone fitted together, similar to the wall outside. For being carved into the side of a slope, Selene was perplexed at how bright it was. It should have been pitch black inside¡ªshe shouldn¡¯t have seen anything. She looked up, seeing a myriad of small bright openings where light poured though, illuminating the room. Perhaps magic, perhaps ingenuity.

    A noise made Selene look at the doorway, where Ruvala now stood, a pack slung over one shoulder and holding a small leather pouch. She walked over to the bed and pulled something out of the pouch.

    ¡°This was near where you fell,¡± Ruvala said, taking one of Selene¡¯s hands and dropping the object into her palm.

    Selene looked down and felt a lump form in her throat. It was her moonstone necklace¡ªthe one her mother had given her. The silver chain was dirty and the pendant smeared with dust, but otherwise, it was intact. Her fingers curled around it, and she reveled in the solid, grounding feel of it in her hands. She felt slightly guilty, she had forgotten all about it in the chaos since the night of the hunt.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured, barely above a whisper as she placed it back around her neck. She would clean it later.

    Ruvala gave a slight nod. Selene watched her as she unslung the pack from her shoulder and began taking bloodied cloth out of it and placing them in a basket.

    After a moment, Ruvala spoke again. ¡°There¡¯s a woman in the town. An innkeeper. She¡¯ll be able to take you in.¡±

    Selene frowned. ¡°You¡¯re sending me away?¡±

    Ruvala didn¡¯t look at her. ¡°You¡¯ll be safer there. The town is small, but it¡¯s a good place. People look out for each other.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°You¡¯ll need to integrate. Find work, make connections, but it¡¯s the best chance you have.¡±

    Selene was quiet, slowly absorbing the news. She didn¡¯t know what she had expected. Surely she didn¡¯t expect to stay here, but the idea of completely starting over in a place she didn¡¯t know among people who might not accept her, filled her with unease.

    Ruvala stood, dusting her hands off as she picked up the basket and took it towards a large basin set into the ground next to the tub. ¡°We leave tomorrow morning. I¡¯d like to get two full days of travel in. Night is dangerous here and I don¡¯t camp under the stars if I don¡¯t have to.¡±

    Selene nodded slowly, watching the shadows cast from the light above move across Ruvala¡¯s sharp features. There was something deeply solitary about this woman, something both resolute and untouchable, and it made Selene¡¯s heart ache. A wolf should never be alone. They were pack animals, built on family bonds and community.

    ¡°But won¡¯t you be lonely?¡± she asked before she could stop herself. Ruvala knelt down at the basin and tipped the basket inside. The cloth hit water with a small plop and Ruvala grabbed a smooth wooden staff laying on the floor and started to stir and agitate the water.

    ¡°I¡¯m used to living alone.¡±

    Her tone was short and terse, and Selene did not push the subject. She started to feel drowsy again, the short ride and the sun having taken away most of her strength. She let her body sink back into the bed, wondering if she would be able to thrive in this new town. She looked back over at Ruvala, drowsily appalled at herself as she drifted to sleep wondering what her shoulders looked like uncovered by fabric.

 Healing Dreams

    Selene once again drifted in the space between sleep and wakefulness, her body weightless, her mind untethered. She was beginning to wonder if this was a special place that should not normally exist in the world. Perhaps another unexpected outcome of carrying the child of a goddess.

    A thick, inky darkness spread out around her in every direction, endless and silent. She floated, her thoughts as light and buoyant as her body felt, until a soft glow mixed with shadows shimmered into being before her. Selene blinked and a figure stood before her¡ªtall, ethereal, draped in both darkness and light. The air smelled faintly of moonflowers and the crisp, electric scent of an oncoming storm.

    The goddess smiled, though there was no warmth in her expression, nor was there cruelty¡ªonly a gaze that saw too much and gave too little.

    ¡°You always seem to find me, even in hiding,¡± Nyara murmured in her voice that was both light and deep, not too loud but not too soft, and her expression was thoughtful. ¡°Perhaps you needed me for something else this time.¡±

    The goddess reached out, pressing a hand against her side. A jolt of energy seared through her, not painful, but intense¡ªlike ice water on skin or the heat of the sun on her fur during a run. She gasped, but her voice was stolen by the void surrounding them. She tried to scream, but it was also sucked into the void.

    Nyara leaned in just slightly, her silver and black hair drifting like smoke. ¡°A gift for your troubles. Don¡¯t tell fate,¡± she said, with a twinkle in her eyes.

    As suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone, and Selene herself was swallowed by the darkness.

    Selene¡¯s eyes flew open.

    She was in Ruvala¡¯s hut, the dim light of pre-dawn radiating from the small dots in the ceiling. It cast the room in a soft, hazy blue glow and deepened shadows along the mud and stone walls. Her breathing was fast and shallow, her heart pounded hard against her ribs. Had she even fallen asleep? She couldn¡¯t remember. The dream clung to her like cobwebs,  too vivid to be mere imagination, as she fought to clear her mind.

    She pressed a hand to her side, expecting to find something¡ªtenderness, aching, piercing agony¡ªbut there was nothing unusual. In fact, there wasn¡¯t any pain when she pressed her fingers down against the bandage. She sat up slowly, the only indication that she had ever been wounded was a small pulling sensation under the bandages.

    The scent of woodsmoke and sizzling meat pulled her from her thoughts. She slid her legs off the bed and stood up. Nothing hurt so far. She walked over to the doorway and turned her head, spotting Ruvala by the small cooking hearth. She moved with long practiced ease, her silver hair pulled back into a loose braid. She didn¡¯t glance over as she stirred something in a small iron pan, the firelight casting a soft orange glow along her sharp features.

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    Selene swallowed, trying to shake off the lingering fog of her dream. ¡°You¡¯re up early.¡±

    ¡°So are you,¡± said Ruvala quietly. She walked over to the table and slid the contents of what looked like scrambled eggs out of the pan and onto a plate with a few slices of meat and some vegetables. ¡°Eat.¡±

    Selene hesitated for only a moment before walking over to the table and sitting down in front of the plate. She had not eaten a full meal in days and her stomach ached with hunger from only eating small rations and water. The dream could wait. For now, she would take what was offered and figure out the rest later.

    She picked up the eating utensils beside the plate and began to cut. As she look up, she could see Ruvala¡¯s sharp gaze resting on her, sizing her up. ¡°You¡¯re moving better.¡±

    Selene nodded to herself, keeping her expression neutral. ¡°I feel¡­ stronger this morning.¡±

    Ruvala didn¡¯t press, but Selene didn¡¯t miss the way her gaze lingered on her side. She supposed that it was fairly obvious that something was different. After all, she had managed to walk from the bed all the way to the table without assistance, when before, it was all she could do not to yell in pain when she sat up. Still, Ruvala said nothing, merely turning her attention back to finish cooking the rest of her own meal.

    By the time they finished eating, the sun was just peeking over the horizon and the sky had brightened considerably. The air was crisp and cool outside and Ruvala wasted no time preparing for departure. This time, however, she loaded the cart differently¡ªpouches, bags, and bundles of supplies stacked as high as Selene¡¯s torso as she sat on the cart, filling nearly every available space. Selene found herself wedged into a small section at the head of the cart, her legs pinned between a sack of dried goods and what smelled like rolled pelts. Orren, unbothered by the extra weight, huffed softly as Ruvala tightened his harness.

    Selene shifted, trying to find some comfort against the packed supplies. ¡°Are we expecting that long of a journey?¡± she asked dryly, glancing at Ruvala, who glanced back at her with an arched brow. ¡°No. But it¡¯s dangerous and if we¡¯re to make it, I have to make the most of it.¡± Her gaze returned to the harness as she tied the last few cords of leather. ¡°A lot of this is trade goods. Pelts, skins, tools, dried goods. I will resupply. Nothing goes to waste.¡±

    Selene sat back. It made sense. If travel was dangerous here, trips would be something that required more than one purpose. She thought about the supply caravans that would arrive at her estate¡ªsuddenly grief swelled up out of nowhere and she choked it back silently. Did her family¡¯s estate still stand? Did she even have a family to go back to?

    She always tried to think about it as little as possible, which is easier than expected when you¡¯re writhing in pain on the floor of a tree trunk or cart. She sent a silent prayer to whatever goddess would hear her, that Fate would treat them kinder than her.

    With everything secured, Ruvala took her place at Orren¡¯s reins, giving the great elk a firm pat before clicking her tongue. The great beast started forward, hooves crunching against the dry earth. The cart groaned under the added weight, but it held steady as they began their journey toward the village.

    Selene leaned back against the bundles, eyes drifting toward the horizon. The Ruined stretched ahead of them, once again, in endless waves of cracked land and listless vegetation.

    She exhaled slowly. Whatever lay ahead, she could only hope the goddess¡¯s gift was enough to see her through it.