Blood Beneath The Pines

The sun barely pierced through the dense canopy of Blackpine Forest as they moved deeper into its shadowy heart. Moss coated the bark like decay, and the air held a lingering chill that whispered of danger.

Selene walked ahead of the group, her steps silent and precise. Her hand rested loosely on the hilt of her sword, though her eyes didn't waver. She didn't flinch at the crackling leaves beneath her boots, nor at the distant caws of crows circling above.

Behind her, Kael walked with measured strides, keeping pace. Aeron followed slightly behind, his posture tense, hand on his dagger not out of fear, but irritation.

He'd been watching her.

Watching the way she carried herself.

She looked like she belonged in these woods. Not like prey.

But like a hunter. A predator.

Still, his patience didn't last long

"You never told us," Aeron said, finally breaking the silence, "how you knew the exact location of the rebel camp."

Selene didn't answer.

Aeron stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. "These woods are vast. We've been walking for hours."

Kael, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Then perhaps you should go back and rest, Alpha Aeron. I'm sure the trail will be easier without your complaints."

Aeron scoffed. "Forgive me for wanting confirmation before we walk into an ambush."

Selene still didn't turn around.

Kael's tone sharpened. "You're free to turn back. No one asked you to come."

"I'm not leaving her in a rebel-infested forest without backup."

"She doesn't need you."

"She doesn't need you either."

"Then stop acting like she's yours to protect."

Their voices rose just enough to make the guards glance at each other. Tension crackled like dry twigs underfoot.

And then, Selene stopped.

She didn't speak, didn't glance back, and just raised her hand in a single silent gesture.

Everyone froze.

The air shifted.

A silence fell so thick it nearly smothered the forest.

"They're here," Selene whispered.

A moment later, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.

Kael moved on instinct.

He grabbed Selene by the waist and spun her into his arms, just as an arrow flew past, grazing his shoulder instead of hers.

The guards shouted.

Rebels burst from the trees in all directions wolves and men, blades drawn and howling with fury.

"Stay behind!" Aeron shouted, unsheathing his weapon.

But Selene's eyes were already aflame. She ducked beneath a leaping wolf, twisted her blade free, and with a single clean motion, beheaded him.

Blood sprayed the dirt.

The forest fell into chaos. The battle ensued

Kael smirked, impressed by Selene.

Aeron stared in shock and amusement.

She didn't even blink.

"You were saying?" Kael murmured as he pushed forward, slicing through the next attacker with brutal elegance.

Aeron growled, stepping in beside them. "She shouldn't be in the front lines—"

"She is the front line," Kael replied.

The trees rang with snarls and steel. Selene danced through the battlefield like a wraith, each movement precise, elegant, and deadly. Her blade shimmered with crimson. She fought as if she remembered every pain she had ever endured and carved it into the flesh of her enemies.

She had done this before in her previous life; she had taken on these wolves single-handedly and killed them brutally. She felt nothing,not then and not now. 

Then came the scent.

Burned fur. Rotting flesh. The weight of dread.

Selene turned and froze.

There he was.

The rebel leader.

His frame was larger now, bulked with years of war. A wicked scar split his muzzle, and his yellow eyes burned with something inhuman.

She knew that face.

He was the one who broke her ribs and laughed. The one who tore her teeth out while humming. Who said her screams were music.

Every bone in her body tensed. She thought that he would not affect her, but he did. She remembered the old wounds; the pain and torture flashed before her eyes, and her own screams echoed in her ear as she saw the rebel leader. The sadistic bastard who enjoyed breaking her.

He lunged towards her, ready to kill her.

But before he could strike, Kael appeared, blocking him with his sword.

Their weapons clashed in a storm of fury.

The battle raged on, blades against claws, growls against roars. Aeron struck down two wolves and came to Selene's side, blood trickling from a shallow wound on his jaw.

"You alright?" he asked, breath ragged as he looked at Selene with concern.

Selene didn't answer. Her eyes were locked on the rebel leader.

He was cornered now, Kael pressing him back with skill and rage.

But he wasn't going down without a fight. He was strong and dangerous, but Prince Kael was even more dangerous and powerful.

And then, just when it looked like he would fall, the rebel snarled, slashed the air with a smoke bomb, and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.

Coward.

Selene stared into the trees where he vanished.

But before he vanished completely, he turned back.

And meeting her eyes, Selene just stared ahead before she rushed after him, shocking both Kael and Aeron.

"NO!" Kael shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Come back, Selene!" Aeron yelled after her too, but Selene didn't bother to stop; she just ran after the rebel leader. She had killed him before, and she will kill him again. She had to kill him; she had to capture him. He was the price of her freedom.

Following the rebel leader, Selene came to a clearing; she looked around for the rebel leader before she felt someone come behind her. She jumped back and came face to face with the rebel leader himself. He gave her a crooked smile. "You lost your way? little one?"

Selene smirked, "I am exactly where I should be."

"Well, you are not getting out of here alive."

"We'll see about that." the two stared at each other before they ran towards each and swung their swords.