Chapter 6: New Beginnings and Old Shadows

Selene’s POV

Since I had reconciled with Kate, it was like a dam had burst. She flitted around me like a little bird, her voice constant and full of excitement. She couldn’t stop marveling at my unexpected ability as a Healer. Every few minutes, she would bring it up again, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Selene, I still can’t believe it!” she exclaimed for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. We were walking through the bustling market in the heart of the Rogue Pack territory, navigating the crowded stalls filled with everything from fresh produce to dubious black-market wares.

“You have the power to heal mental stress. Do you know how rare that is? It’s almost unheard of outside the Four Great Packs. Even some of the smaller packs don’t have a single Healer. I’ve only ever seen Maria do it, and she charges a fortune.”

I smiled, amused by her enthusiasm but wary of the attention. “It’s not as simple as you think, Kate. You can’t just declare yourself one. Healers are recognized only after passing a series of rigorous tests through specialized Healer training. And a pack usually only has one slot for Healer training. It’s a rare opportunity and highly coveted.”

Kate nodded eagerly, but I could see the wheels turning in her mind. “I know, I know, but still. You have the potential, Selene. Imagine what you could do with that. You could be the Luna of a pack, someone with a position second only to the Alpha.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Kate. I never finished my training. I didn’t pass the tests, remember? And using these abilities without proper authorization or training can be dangerous. If someone’s mental stress isn’t severe enough, trying to heal them could actually make it worse.”

Kate’s face fell slightly, her excitement dimming. “But it’s such a waste. Maria went through the same training, but she didn’t pass either. She was expelled after making a major mistake, and that’s how she ended up here in the Rogue Pack. Yet she’s managed to make a living using her powers. Couldn’t you do something similar? Imagine the respect and the money–”

I cut her off, shaking my head firmly. “It’s not about the money, Kate,” I replied, my voice firm. “Maria is different. She’s the only one with Healer powers here. She’s established herself, and she’s the exception, not the rule. I’m… I’m just trying to stay under the radar, remember?”

Kate pouted, clearly not satisfied with my answer. Her brow furrowed in thought. Suddenly, her face lit up with an idea. “What if Lucian could help you?”

The mere mention of Lucian's name sent a chill down my spine. “Lucian?” I scoffed, trying to sound dismissive, even though I could feel a tightness in my chest. “No, Kate. I don’t want to get involved with him, and neither should you.”

“But why not?” Kate pressed, stopping me in my tracks. “Lucian is the Rogue King. He has influence and power. If anyone could get you a slot for Healer training, it’s him.”

I shook my head, unwilling to even consider the idea. “I don’t trust him. He’s dangerous, Kate. You know that as well as I do.”

Kate’s expression softened, and she placed a hand on my arm. “Selene, I’ve been in the Rogue Pack for years now. There are good people here, and there are bad ones too. Lucian… is different. I know he seems dangerous, but I think he’s more like a good person pretending to be bad.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. “And what makes you say that?”

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly. “Lucian saved me once. It was a few years ago when I was bullied by members of another faction. He didn’t have to step in, but he did. And when I looked into his eyes, I could tell… his intentions were kind. But after he became the Rogue King, he’s had to be more ruthless. His emotions are hidden, and his eyes… have turned so cold.”

I listened carefully, trying to reconcile this image of Lucian with the man I’d met. I had seen the icy mask he wore, the sharp, calculating gaze that could cut through steel. But there had been moments—brief, fleeting moments—when I’d sensed something else, a flicker of emotion, quickly concealed.

Kate continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But with you, Selene, it’s different. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. His eyes… They have that same spark, the one I saw before he became the Rogue King. It’s like he’s remembering how to feel again. I think you’re special to him.”

I couldn’t help but snort, shaking my head in disbelief. “Special? To him? I’m just a new toy, Kate, something to amuse him for a while until he gets bored. I don’t trust him, and you shouldn’t either.”

Kate frowned, clearly frustrated. “Why do you always assume the worst in people?”

“Because I’ve seen the worst,” I replied bluntly and sighed, unwilling to revisit the awful thoughts in my mind. Kate noticed my downcast mood. Without asking further, she sensitively changed our topic.

….

Kate and I returned to the bar, laughing and playfully shoving each other from our light-hearted banter. The mood had lifted considerably since our earlier conversation. For a moment, things felt almost normal like they used to. But as we pushed open the door, our laughter died in our throats.

There, sitting casually at the bar, was Lucian.

He wasn’t in his usual dark suit that marked him as the Rogue King. This time, he wore a simple, casual outfit—a dark shirt and jeans—that seemed to make him look more approachable, but I knew better.

This man could change his appearance, but the danger he carried was always the same. What caught my attention even more than his unexpected presence was the sight of the entire bar cleared out. Not a single customer remained, and Lilian, the bar owner, stood stiffly behind the counter, her face pale, eyes darting nervously to the armed men standing in the shadows, their guns trained on her.

Lucian turned his head slowly toward us, a smile curling on his lips. “Selene,” he greeted, his voice smooth, almost cheerful. “Why don’t you mix me a drink?”

My eyes flicked to Lilian, whose breath was caught in her throat, her body rigid with fear. I knew then that I couldn’t refuse. Lucian had made sure of that. “What would you like?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, even though my heart was racing.

Lucian leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with amusement. “Why don’t you make me something that suits my mood?”

I didn’t hesitate. Moving behind the bar, I grabbed the necessary bottles and began to mix a drink, my hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. I chose a cocktail with a name as provocative as his request: “Adios Motherfucker.” The bold mix of tequila, rum, vodka, gin, blue curaçao, and sweet and sour mix was a reckless concoction, just like the man sitting in front of me.

I slid the glass across the counter to him, my face carefully neutral. “Here you have it. Adios Motherfucker,” I said, meeting his gaze.

Lucian stared at the drink, then back at me, a slow smile spreading across his face. “An interesting choice,” he remarked, clearly amused. “Are you trying to provoke me, Selene?”

I forced a smile, keeping my tone light. “I’m just doing as you requested,” I replied, my eyes not leaving his. “Why would I want to anger you?”

Lucian chuckled, a low, deep sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “If you’d shown this kind of spirit with Damien, maybe he wouldn’t have abandoned you,” he said, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

My smile tightened as a spark of anger flared inside me. “If Damien had any real strength, he wouldn’t have had to hide behind his father’s influence,” I retorted, refusing to let Lucian see how his words cut deep.

Lucian’s eyes darkened slightly, but his smile didn’t waver. “Bold words for someone in your position,” he said, taking a slow sip of his drink. “Careful, Selene, boldness can be dangerous.”

I leaned forward slightly, matching his intensity. “Only to those who don’t know how to handle it.”

Our gazes locked, the tension between us thick and electric. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on us, the silence heavy with anticipation. Lucian set his glass down on the counter with a sharp, deliberate slam, the sound echoing through the empty bar.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said coldly, his smile gone, replaced by a hard, unreadable expression. “Make sure you’re ready for me.”

With that, he stood, motioning to his entourage. They moved as one, guns still in hand, following him out the door. As soon as they were gone, Lilian let out a shaky breath and slumped against the counter, her legs giving out beneath her.

“If he keeps coming here every day, we’re going to lose all our customers,” she muttered, her voice tinged with fear. “Selene, you’ve got to be careful. Don’t provoke him. He’s not someone you want as an enemy.”

I clenched my fists, my anger simmering beneath the surface. “He’s a jerk,” I spat, the words coming out harsher than I intended. “He thinks he can just walk in here and do whatever he wants.”

Kate, who had been silent throughout the exchange, suddenly chuckled, breaking the tension. “You know, the two of you bickering like that almost looked like a couple having an argument.”

I froze, staring at her in disbelief. “A couple?” I echoed, my voice filled with incredulity. “Me and Lucian? That’s impossible.”

Kate just laughed, a teasing glint in her eyes. “I don’t know, Selene. The way you two go back and forth… There’s something there.”

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the absurdity of her words, but her comment left an unsettling feeling in my chest. A couple? Lucian and me? I pushed the thought away. Lucian was a dangerous, unpredictable man who toyed with people's lives. I wasn’t naive enough to fall for that.

I still couldn’t help replaying the encounter in my mind—the way his eyes sparked with interest, his smile shifting from amused to something darker. There was an undeniable pull between us, one I didn’t want to acknowledge. Despite my efforts, a part of me was already anticipating his return, wondering what game he’d play next.