MARKED BY THE ALPHA'S HATE

The wind shifted at dawn.

Selene felt it first like teeth dragging across her spine.

She stood slowly, sword in hand, eyes scanning the treeline.

They're here, she said.

Darius was already moving. How many?

Too many.

Neris appeared from the fog. The Forsworn hunt in silence. If you can hear them, you're already surrounded.

Selene's grip on the blade tightened. Then it's time they heard us.

The forest was too quiet.

Darius moved ahead, steps careful, but something kept tugging at him. Not the scent of danger something colder.

Familiar.

He stopped in his tracks.

Wait.

Selene glanced at him. What is it?

I smell... blood. But not fresh.

Neris narrowed her eyes. Old magic. Blood offerings.

Darius turned toward the east. Toward the hollow.

No, he whispered. They didn't.....

He ran.

Selene followed, heart hammering.

They crested the rise and froze.

The ravine below them was slick with red. Dozens of wolves young ones, barely shifted were scattered across the dirt. Some still breathing. Most not.

Victor had struck early.

And he hadn't come for Selene.

He'd come for Darius's past.

Darius dropped to his knees beside a girl no older than ten. Her eyes fluttered open, blood at her lips.

I tried to fight, she whispered.

You did good, Darius said, voice breaking.

Selene stood behind him, sword pulsing with silent fury.

They were from Caerthalon, she said. The ones Victor missed. The ones your mother hid.

Darius didn't answer.

Because he couldn't.

That night, the silence between them was sharp.

Selene watched the fire, the blade across her lap again. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Victor's not after me anymore," she said. Not just me.

Darius sat across from her, blood on his boots.

He never was. He wants to wipe out the line. All of it. Everyone who carries even a whisper of Moonblood.

He's using you,she said quietly. Your loyalty. Your pain. He knew exactly where to hit.

Darius didn't move. Then I'll return the favor.

Selene looked up, and her eyes weren't soft anymore.

Then we do it together.

They left Neris behind at the temple ruins.

She'll slow us down, Darius had said.

But Selene wasn't sure.

Neris had whispered something before they left. Something Selene hadn't told him yet.

A shadow walks beside you. And one day, it will wear his face.

By the time they reached the outer edges of Blackfang territory, the sky had turned the color of bruised steel. Clouds rolled low, fat with the scent of ash and something older.

Something wrong.

They stopped at the river's bend. Darius crouched to examine the tracks.

But Selene froze.

Talon.

Darius snapped up. Where?

Selene pointed. A silhouette stood at the water's edge arms bare, weapons lowered. Waiting.

I'll talk to him, Darius said.

No, Selene said. He came for me.

Talon didn't speak as she approached.

He looked older. Not in years, but in weight. Like something in him had cracked and hadn't bothered to heal.

I heard you took the rite, he said.

Selene didn't blink. Did you come to try and kill me again?

Talon shook his head. No. I came to warn you.

About what?

Victor's not going to chase you anymore. He's going to starve you out. Burn every wolf who might stand with you. Turn the rest against Darius.

Selene's heart thudded. He already started.

Talon looked down. I know. I helped him.

She stepped closer. Why are you here, Talon?

His voice was hoarse. Because you're the only one left who can stop him.

They talked for hours.

Darius stood on the ridge, watching them. Every word was a knife he couldn't hear.

When Selene returned, her expression was unreadable.

He's offering us something, she said.

Darius bristled. He's a traitor.

He's scared.

He should be.

Selene stared at him. He says Victor's keeping something from you. About your bloodline. About your bond to me.

Darius froze. What did he say?

He wouldn't tell me unless I came with him.

No.

Selene didn't back down. If he's lying, I'll kill him myself. But if he's not…

Darius looked at her, eyes full of fire.

Then everything we know is a lie.

That night, Selene stood alone, watching the stars.

Darius approached quietly.

If you go with him, he said, I can't protect you.

I know.

I don't want to lose you.

She turned to him.

You already did. The moment I took the sword.

His jaw clenched.

But she stepped forward and placed her hand against his chest.

I still love you, she whispered. "But I have to know the truth.

And before he could stop her, she vanished into the trees.