Blood and Freedom

Selene gritted her teeth as steel clashed against steel. The rebel leader was a monster in every life a towering beast of a wolf with jagged scars that made his face even more terrifying. But she wasn't the same frightened girl he tortured in another lifetime.

Their swords rang across the clearing like thunder. He fought dirty, using brute strength and tricks, but Selene moved with agility and fury. Each swing of her blade echoed years of pain, each block a defiance of fate.

"You are going to die, kid; stop delaying your death," the rebel leader growled.

Selene's lip curled into a bitter smile. "You are no one to decide when and how I will die. Worry about yourself, you son of a bitch."

With a roar, he lunged at her. She twisted, dodged, and plunged her blade straight through his gut. The force of the blow staggered him, but it wasn't enough.

"Not… yet," he hissed, pulling his blade free for one last attack.

Selene didn't flinch. She stepped forward and swift, final beheaded him.

Silence fell.

She stood over his lifeless body, blood soaking her clothes and dripping from her blade. Her legs wobbled, and her vision swam. But with the last ounce of strength, she grabbed the head by its matted hair and stumbled out of the woods.

Kael was the first to reach her. His eyes widened at the sight of her soaked in blood, holding the rebel leader's severed head.

"I kept my word," she whispered, dropping the head at his feet.

Then darkness swallowed her.

~~

She awoke to the scent of clean linen and burning sage.

The ceiling above her was unfamiliar vaulted, golden-trimmed, and lit by a crystal chandelier. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain bloomed in her side. She winced, gasping.

"You're awake."

The voice was calm, deep… familiar.

Prince Kael entered the room, his silver and black cloak trailing behind him. His gaze softened when it met hers.

"You're in my chamber," he said, walking over. "The healer said you'd wake by morning."

Selene blinked. "Why… here?"

"You collapsed. I brought you back myself," he said, voice quiet. "I wanted to make sure you were safe."

She frowned and tried to sit again. "I'm fine now. I should leave..."

Kael stepped forward and pressed her shoulder gently but firmly against the bed. His face was close, too close. "You are not fine," he murmured. "You were bleeding out. Just… lie still, Selene. For once."

She stared up at him, startled by the tenderness in his voice. A flush crept across her cheeks before she quickly looked away.

"Your Highness—"

"Kael," he corrected, his tone low.

Her breath caught.

"You need to rest," he said, straightening. "The king and queen want to speak with you."

He left her then, but his presence lingered like a heat she couldn't shake.

He gently pressed her back on the bed and urged her to close her eyes. Selene sighed and once again fell into a deep slumber. However, she did feel someone stroking her face and whispering something to her.

~~

Later, dressed in fresh clothes, her wound freshly bandaged, Selene was led to the royal court.

The king and queen stood tall and regal on their thrones. Kael beside them. To the side were her parents and Alpha Aeron.

Her mother opened her mouth to speak, but the queen lifted a hand.

"Selene Ravenshade," the king began, "we have considered your request for emancipation. After your service to the realm, your bravery, and the information you provided, your wish is granted."

There was a beat of stunned silence.

Selene bowed her head. "Thank you, Your Majesties."

"You can't!" Mirella suddenly burst out. "She's our daughter! You cannot just..."

"She is not your anything," Selene said coldly, cutting her off. "You lost the right to call me that the day you chose Aria over me."

Alaric's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue.

Aeron looked like he wanted to speak but thought better of it.

Selene left the palace not as a daughter of House Ravenshade, not as an Alpha's child, but as her own name. Free. Alone.

It felt like breathing after drowning for centuries.

She returned to her aunt's estate. Meridia, cold as ever, said nothing when she arrived, just offered a nod and disappeared down the corridor.

But Selene wasn't home long before her parents showed up.

"Selene, please," her mother said, voice trembling. "Come back. You can undo the emancipation..."

"I won't," Selene said without turning around.

Alaric's voice hardened. "You'll regret this."

"No. I regret letting you control my life for so long."

She turned to leave but paused at the end of the hall. She saw her parents whispering to Aunt Meridia in hushed voices. She observed them for a while; she saw them saying something to aunt Meridia and she also saw Meridia's face change. Meridia looked anger and the way she spoke it looked like she was getting agitated. It looked they were arguing now. But about what? She didn't care. Not anymore.

Days passed in silence

Selene busied herself with her true mission finding answers about the curse. She visited the library every day, poring over old tomes about demonic lore, reincarnation, and the Moon Goddess.

It was her sixth life. She knew that now. Something was wrong with her soul. And she was closer than ever to discovering the truth.

But fate had other plans.

One afternoon, as she stepped out of the library with an armful of scrolls, she felt it the pull of a bond she had once severed.

She looked up.

Lucien stood across the street.

Alpha Lucien.

Her first mate. The mate whom she had rejected publicly.

His expression was unreadable.

"Selene," he said in his deep voice as he looked at her up and down.

She didn't move. She just stared at the man before her.

The air thickened between them, heavy with unspoken memories.

And then… he started walking toward her.