Chapter 2: Umbra Pack

Selene’s POV

I could barely stand, the burning pain of our severed mental link shooting through my veins. I had defied Damien, the future leader of our pack and the Alpha's son, and his dark eyes pierced me with disbelief and anger.

"You're just being stubborn, Selene," he hissed, his voice deceptively soft but with a sharp edge that cut deeper than any physical wound. "This is a mistake. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

But I knew exactly what I was doing. For once, I was choosing myself. I felt him trying to force our link back together to reclaim control. My head pounded, and my vision blurred from the effort, but I pushed back with every ounce of strength left in me. The backlash made Damien gasp.

“Stop!” I cried, my voice hoarse but firm. “You don’t own me, Damien. I’m not just another one of your pawns.”

He flinched as if struck. "You've always wanted to be by my side," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "This is your dream, Selene. Why are you throwing it away?"

"My dream?” I managed a bitter laugh. "My dream was to serve the pack as Luna, not to live under your thumb. You broke our bond, Damien, not me. And I’m done being last on your list of priorities."

His expression twisted into a sneer. "Fine. Don't regret this, Selene. You had your chance," he spat, turning to leave with his mate, who looked back at me with a smirk of satisfaction.

As they disappeared, a wave of nausea washed over me. I had stood up to him, but at what cost?

I was struggling to my feet when I saw my father approaching, his eyes hard and unforgiving. "What were you thinking, Selene?” he snapped, his voice dripping with disappointment and frustration. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

“It wasn’t just a stunt,” I said, gathering my strength. “I want to be free of his control.”

"Free of him?” He scoffed disdainfully. “Without Damien, you’re nothing but a Rogue. Do you think the pack will risk everything to defend your foolish pride?”

His words lashed at me, threatening to break my resolve. But I refused to let them. “This isn’t about pride,” I whispered fiercely. "I’ve sacrificed everything for this pack. What was it all for? To be discarded when I’m no longer useful?"

“You’re just like your mother,” he spat, the words slicing through me like ice. “Weak… Sentimental… Look where that got her.”

Fury and hurt collided within me. “How dare you?” My voice shook with rage. “You never cared about her. All you’ve ever cared about is your ambition.”

He struck me then, the blow sending me stumbling back. I had the taste of blood in my mouth. I steadied myself. “Maybe I am nothing to you,” I said quietly, “but I am something to myself. I’d rather be nothing than someone who betrays their own for power.”

His cold stare lingered on me before he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, shaken yet unbroken.

….

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I crossed the boundaries of my former pack, feeling the last fragile threads of my old life snap. Each step was heavy with the weight of everything I was leaving behind yet light with the anticipation of what lay ahead. My destination was Umbra Pack, the underground city that served as a sanctuary for Rogues—a place where rules were mere suggestions and survival was the only law.

I pushed through a nearly invisible entrance, a narrow opening hidden among the dense underbrush. Descending into the depths of Umbra, I was immediately struck by the change in atmosphere. The noise hit me first—a chaotic blend of shouts, laughter, and the clinking of glass. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and cheap liquor. Dim, flickering lights cast long, wavering shadows on the cracked walls, giving everything and everyone a sense of danger and desperation.

I moved deeper into the underground city, passing a gambling den teeming with life. It was a dirty, crowded space filled with the outcasts of werewolf society. A group of captured thieves were tied up in one corner being interrogated by a large, tattooed man whose booming laughter cut through the din. His amusement was a stark contrast to the terror on the captives' faces. I kept my gaze straight ahead, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention.

“Do you know what happens to liars?” the tattooed man growled, a twisted grin on his face as he leaned closer to one of the captives. “You think you can cheat here and get away with it?”

I looked away, quickening my pace. I knew better than to get involved in Umbra’s way of dealing with things. This was a place where everyone fended for themselves. I had come there to start over, not to become a target.

Navigating through the crowd, I finally reached my destination—a hidden bar at the back of the den, its entrance obscured by a faded curtain. I pushed through, entering a quieter space, though the low hum of conversation filled the air. I barely had time to orient myself when a familiar figure darted toward me.

“Selene!” A brown-haired, freckled girl rushed over, her face lighting up with a bright smile as she pulled me into a tight hug. “You’re really here!”

“Kate,” I replied, returning the hug. Her warmth was a stark contrast to the cold, impersonal world outside. “I made it.”

“I can’t believe you’re actually here,” Kate said, pulling back to study my face. Her eyes softened with concern. “I heard what happened. Damien… I’m so sorry.”

I shrugged, trying to play it off, but the sting of betrayal was still fresh. “It’s over now. I had to get out, and this seemed like the best place to start over.”

Kate nodded, a look of understanding crossing her face. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been worried about you ever since… well, ever since we last spoke.”

I looked around the bar, taking in the worn furniture and the rough clientele. “It’s different here,” I said, not entirely sure how to express what I was feeling.

Kate laughed softly. “Umbra’s not just a den of criminals, you know. It’s a place for people like us—people who don’t belong anywhere else.” She hesitated and then added, “Do you remember how we met?”

I smiled at the memory, even though it was a bittersweet one. “How could I forget? You almost got yourself killed trespassing into my pack’s territory.”

Kate grinned. “Yeah, I wasn’t exactly careful. But you stepped in. You saved me. I owe you everything for that.”

I shook my head. “You don’t owe me anything, Kate. You didn’t deserve to die just for crossing a line.”

“Still,” Kate said, her voice soft, “you could have let them execute me, but you didn’t. You gave me a chance. And that’s why I want to help you now.”

I looked at her, feeling a warmth spread through me. It was rare to find someone willing to stand by you, especially in a place like this. “I appreciate it,” I said quietly. “I’m still trying to figure out what comes next.”

“Yeah,” Kate interrupted, a hint of pride in her voice. “It’s different when you’re on the inside, especially now with Lucian in charge.”

“Lucian?” I asked, curious. “The Rogue King?”

Kate’s eyes lit up with admiration. “Yeah, him. Things have changed a lot since he took over. Umbra used to be a battlefield with different gangs fighting for control, and blood in the streets every day. But Lucian… is different. He took the largest gang and went after the others, one by one, until they either bowed to him or were gone. Now he’s the King, and no one dares challenge him.”

“Sounds ruthless,” I muttered, unsure of what to make of this mysterious figure.

“He is,” Kate agreed. “But he’s also fair. He doesn’t hurt people who don’t deserve it. He’s brought a kind of order to Umbra that we’ve never had before. Life’s better now for people like me, people just trying to survive.”

I listened, intrigued despite myself. “Why does he do it? What’s in it for him?”

Kate’s smile widened. “There are a lot of stories, but one thing’s for sure—he’s not like anyone you’ve ever met. Some say he’s a monster, and others think he’s a savior. Maybe he’s a bit of both.”

A shiver ran down my spine at her words. Who was this man really?

Just as she was about to continue, a shout from the bar interrupted her. "Kate, need you here!" She gave me a quick, apologetic glance. “Gotta deliver this wine. We’ll catch up later, promise.”

“Take your time,” I reassured her, settling back against the cool wall, my mind still whirling with the tales of Lucian. The bar buzzed with energy, the clink of glasses and the murmur of conversations creating a lively backdrop. But as time stretched on, Kate didn’t return, and a flicker of concern began to gnaw at me. It wasn’t like her to leave me hanging without a word.

I nudged my way through the crowded bar, sidestepping tables cluttered with playing cards and spilled drinks. As I moved deeper into the establishment, the atmosphere shifted. The boisterous laughter dwindled into a hushed silence that set my nerves on edge.

When I found Kate, she was cornered by two men, visibly shaken and on the verge of tears.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and then walked steadily towards Kate. The two men eyed me maliciously, one of them whistling lewdly.

"Well, look at this, we've got another one coming our way."

"Not bad, we can each have one."

They laughed brazenly, not taking me seriously, allowing me to approach.

"No, Selene, don't come any closer! They're dangerous, you need to get out of here!" Kate cried out, her voice trembling with fear.

"Shh, it's okay." I gently patted her back to soothe her. Once she seemed a bit calmer, I whispered in her ear, telling her to go find help.

My voice was barely audible, but when I was sure she'd heard me, I pushed her forcefully, breaking her free from the men's grip.

"Selene!?" Kate's eyes widened in panic. The men, caught off guard by my bold move, immediately looked furious.

"Run!" I shouted to Kate.

Kate hesitated for a moment, then, with one last glance at me, she turned and ran.

"How dare you!" they roared, reaching out to grab Kate, but I stepped in their way.

"Hey, listen, I've got a proposal that might make up for this," I said, trying to divert their attention.

"You better have something good!" One of the men, veins bulging with anger, threatened. "I'm with the X gang, and if you don't fix this, we'll trash this place!"

I licked my dry lips and gave a cunning smile, leaning closer to the man, brushing his collar lightly.

"Of course, I promise you'll be satisfied."

Though it was the last thing I wanted, my training as a future Luna had taught me how to attract men's attention to please Damien.

Sure enough, the man's pupils dilated, and his breathing quickened. The other man also looked at me with growing interest.

Suppressing my disgust, I maintained the seductive pose and beckoned them to follow.

"Come with me."