14

Chapter 14 – Unraveling the Chains

Selene

The night air still carried his scent.

Selene pressed her back against the rough bark of a towering tree, her breath shallow, heart pounding as if she had just escaped the jaws of a beast. And in a way—she had.

Ronan had let her go.

For the first time, he had turned away instead of dragging her back, instead of claiming her like he had always threatened to.

Because I want you to choose to come back to me.

The memory of his words made her stomach coil with fury and something else—something she refused to name.

It's another game, she reminded herself. A mind trick. He wants me to hesitate. To feel conflicted. To doubt.

I won't fall for it.

She shoved off the tree, swallowing back the exhaustion that dragged at her limbs. The forest stretched before her—dark, endless, unforgiving.

But she had no choice.

She had to keep moving.

The moment she stopped, he would find her again.

She was sure of it.

She willed herself forward, her boots crunching against the damp earth. The cold bit at her exposed skin, but she barely felt it. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, her pulse a frantic drumbeat in her ears. Every flicker of movement in the trees sent a spike of fear down her spine.

Would he change his mind?

Would he come for her?

A part of her—the part that she loathed—almost hoped he would.

She clenched her fists.

No.

Ronan was a monster. A captor. A man who wanted to break her will and make her his.

She wouldn't let him.

The night stretched on, and with each step, her body grew heavier, her muscles burning from the relentless pace she forced upon herself. She didn't know where she was going—only that it had to be away.

She had to survive.

Ronan

Ronan watched from the shadows, arms crossed, golden eyes locked onto the distant figure of his little wolf.

She was running.

Good.

Let her.

He had broken her expectations tonight. And that was the first step toward victory.

His wolf stirred within him, impatient. It growled its disapproval, wanting to chase, to hunt, to take. But Ronan remained still.

Selene wasn't prey to be caught in a snare.

She was a wildfire—one that would only burn brighter if caged too soon.

So he would let her go.

For now.

"You're making a mistake," a voice drawled behind him.

Ronan didn't turn. He knew that voice. Knew the man who spoke it.

"You sound concerned, Bastian."

The rogue beta stepped into view, his silver eyes sharp, his scarred face unreadable. "She's strong-willed. She won't come back just because you let her run."

"She will."

Bastian scoffed. "You're playing a dangerous game."

Ronan finally looked at him. "When have I ever played safe?"

Bastian sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "You're an arrogant bastard, you know that?"

Ronan smirked. "Yes."

Bastian rolled his eyes. "Fine. But if this backfires, don't expect me to say I told you so."

Ronan's gaze drifted back toward Selene's retreating figure.

"It won't backfire."

Selene – The Edge of Nowhere

Time blurred.

Selene had no idea how long she had been walking. An hour? Two? The forest remained the same—dark, endless, unrelenting. Her body ached, her muscles screamed, but she refused to stop.

Every step forward was another step away from him.

And yet—

His presence lingered.

Not physically, but somewhere. A ghost at the edge of her senses.

She hated it.

She hated him.

But most of all—she hated that part of her almost wished he hadn't let her go.

The thought made her sick.

She shook it off and pushed forward.

Then—

Light.

Faint, distant. A glow beyond the trees.

A village.

Hope flared in her chest, but she forced herself to be cautious. Not every settlement was safe. Not every stranger was kind.

Still—

She had little choice.

Pulling up the hood of her cloak, she stepped forward.

And into the unknown.

The Council Moves

Beyond the rogue lands, power stirred.

A dimly lit chamber, filled with whispers of unrest.

The Council of Elders had gathered.

"The rogue king grows bold," one of them said, fingers drumming against the polished oak table.

"His kind do not respect borders," another hissed.

"The girl," a third spoke, voice sharper. "Selene. She still lives."

A heavy pause.

"Yes," the first admitted. "And Ronan Devereux refuses to surrender her."

"Then we force his hand."

Silence stretched, thick with unspoken threats.

Finally, the third elder smiled.

"A war is coming."

Selene – A Step Into the Unknown

The village wasn't much—just a cluster of worn-down buildings, dim lanterns flickering against the night.

But it was shelter.

And she needed rest.

Selene moved cautiously, her hood low, keeping to the shadows.

Then—

A voice.

"You look lost."

She froze.

A man leaned against a wooden post, arms crossed, watching her. He was tall, with sharp eyes and an unreadable expression. His dark coat blended into the night, but the way he held himself sent a warning through her blood.

Predator.

Selene forced herself to stay calm.

"I'm just passing through," she said smoothly.

The man tilted his head. "Not many pass through here alone." His gaze swept over her. "And certainly not ones who smell like him."

Ice prickled down her spine.

He knew.

She turned to run—

But he was faster.

A hand closed around her wrist.

"Easy, little wolf," he murmured.

Selene's heart slammed against her ribs.

She had walked into a trap.

She yanked back hard, twisting her body in an attempt to break free, but his grip was like iron. Panic clawed at her throat.

"Let me go," she hissed, her voice low and sharp.

The man's lips curled into a smirk. "Not so fast. You're quite the catch." His fingers tightened, dragging her closer. "And the rogue king is looking for you, isn't he?"

Selene's breath hitched.

No—

She wouldn't go back.

Summoning every ounce of strength, she kicked out, aiming for his knee. He barely flinched, but his hold loosened just enough. Selene didn't hesitate—she twisted free, stumbling backward.

But before she could bolt, some

thing shifted in the air.

More figures emerged from the shadows.

Three. No—four.

Trapped.

Selene's pulse roared in her ears.

She had barely escaped one monster.

Now she had walked straight into the hands of another.