My Wife.

Selene~

We traveled for eight days and seven nights, and Max and I got closer during these days. Recalling joyful past memories, I found a piece of myself in this journey.

"When are we going to reach your place?" her voice filled with desperation and a hint of annoyance. I glanced in her direction when Damon replied, "Patience, my lady." Lyla shot a glare in his direction. Damon's grin deepened, a flicker of triumph glinting in his eyes, his amusement barely concealed.

Damon was also a nice person. He assured me that he would be more approachable, which made me comfortable. While Lyla had a hard exterior. I still could not able to decipher the reason for her cold behavior.

When I asked Max about it, he just responded with a shrug, "She had a tough childhood, which resulted in her being distant and cold."

I was in no place to ask about her past, but still, I had a feeling that one day, we could have a nice relationship.

"We arrived!" Damon's announcement took me out of my trance. I glanced around, observing the details of this new place.

It was an area filled with towering hills. As we approached one of them, the sound of running water echoed. With each step, the sound tended to get louder, and the path got narrower.

As we reached the dead end, our gazes fell on the breathtaking sight- a massive waterfall cascading down into the deep pit. The mist created a shimmering veil under the sunlight. The air around was cooler, having a tinge of fresh scent of moss and wildflowers.

Damien first got down and then helped me get down. Damon, Max, and Lyla also got down, standing behind them. Lyla crossed her hands having an unpleasant expression, "I do not see any village." Damon glanced at her, but this time, he ignored her comment. He stepped ahead with Damien while Lyla huffed as she did not get any response from him.

They walked towards the end of the path. Damon retrieved his dagger and slashed down the thick vines and greenery. An intricate symbol appeared infront of us all. The boundaries of the symbol pulsed faintly as if it were alive. A certain energy oozed of it.

"Do you feel it too, Selene? The energy." Zara's question echoed in my head. I could not deny it and answered, "Yes, the pull is indeed intense."

As Damon stepped back, Damien walked towards it. His expression was unreadable, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he raised his hand.

The symbol responded instantly, the lines of the symbol illuminated with a red hue, flickering on the surrounding rocks. A sudden surge of power rippled through us. A shiver ran down my spine, making me realize that moment. This was not any other symbol- it was a gatekeeper, and Damien was the key!

With a loud rumble, the water split into two, revealing the hidden entrance. It was illuminated by white light coming from the other side.

"Keep moving people," Damon had a proud smile plastered on his face as we walked the path. It took some time before my eyes adjusted to the brightness. As we stepped ahead, my breath got caught. It was a small village hidden behind the waterfall. The place contained beauty and life. The chirping of the birds got mixed with the running water, turning into something rhythmic. On one hand, children ran with animals, their laughter carrying a joyful energy. While the other people were working in the fields.

The place was untouched by the cruelty and chaos of the outside world. The homes were made of smooth stones and dark wood, adorned with flowers and banners.

"Alpha Damien is here!" One of them addressed him.

All the gazes fell on us. The people paused and started gathering, and the muffling increased.

As the words echoed in the air, all of their faces lit up with joy. "Long live Alpha Damien, " this time they said in unison. My eyes widened in disbelief and confusion. They were neither savages nor barbarians I have been led to believe all our life.

Their clothes were cleaned and well-tailored, their eyes full of respect and warmth. They were everything but barbaric like the rumors. Lyla, who stood beside Max, could not contain her shock, "This...this place is nothing as we heard in rumors," her voice came louder than expected. Max also could not hide his surprise, when Damon leaned in with a playful smirk.

"The rumors of us being uncivilized savages? They were our greatest weapon." Lyla shut her mouth, not having any answer to his question; his smile widened seeing her reaction. "It was our doing. If everyone believed we were nothing but wild and uncivilized savages, they would not take us seriously or- dare to challenge us."

I glanced at Damien, whose eyes were somewhat softened. His eyes were moving around the people who were also staring at him with pride and warmth. Damon walked ahead, clasping his hand, he started speaking, " People of Silverthorn, our Alpha has come back." Loud cheers and clapping of the hand echoed, making Damon nod with a proud expression, " After fighting for a year, we won the war and got a beautiful prize in return," his hand extended in my direction, "Meet our Luna, Selene Blackthorn." As his last words fell in my ear, my body froze. Selene Blackthorn. This was my new identity, the wife of Damien Blackthorn.

My hands grew clammy, as all the gazes shifted in my direction. Their curious eyes assessed me from head to toe. I bit my lip, not able to match any of their gazes. The murmuring of people grew, I could make out what they said but few words got my attention.

Luna? Not Beautiful. No match.

I knew from all the exhaustion I was not looking my best, which did not make it any easier.

"How can she be our Luna?" One of them questioned. "Yes, she doesn't even look good, she is not a match for our Alpha," a woman supported the first one, also having a disgusted look on her face.

"Not a match!" People started chanting, determined to not back down.

I gulped down the lump formed in my throat. My vision started to get blurry. With each second, it started to get difficult to breathe. Shame and guilt filled me. Lucian was right, no one would want me. His words started to ring in my mind when a figure stood beside me. Before I could know what was happening, He held me by my shoulders. His hardened gaze moved around getting all their attention upon him..upon us.

"She is my wife...If anyone dares question it, step forward."