Chapter 4 4

The weight of the curse was unbearable.

For Selene, every moment felt like a battle. The darkness inside her tugged and twisted, urging her to give in, to let it consume her. She hadn't been able to control it before. The fear that she would lose herself again was a constant presence in her mind, lurking in the shadows. And yet, with Tristan at her side, she had hope. The bond they shared was a lifeline-a tether to the light she had almost forgotten.

But hope alone wouldn't be enough to stop the curse. Selene knew that. She needed more. She needed to confront the power inside her before it took control again.

The next morning, the pack gathered for their regular training session. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of wet earth mixing with the sharp, tangy odor of wolf fur. Tristan stood at the front, his presence commanding attention as always. His posture was stiff, his jaw set, as though he was preparing for something far more dangerous than just a morning drill.

Selene, though, stood on the outskirts, her eyes scanning the crowd of warriors. They were all focused on Tristan, but she could feel their wariness, the cautious glances they threw her way. The bond between them may have been undeniable, but their trust in her was fractured. She had left them once. She wasn't sure they would ever fully forgive her for that.

Her fingers clenched into fists, the rain from earlier still clinging to her skin. She had to make things right. For them. For Tristan. She couldn't let the curse define her-couldn't let it tear them apart again.

"Selene," Tristan's voice broke through her thoughts. "We're starting the drills. Get in position."

His tone was calm, but the command was unmistakable. She nodded, trying to suppress the gnawing unease in her stomach, and moved to join the rest of the pack. The warriors shifted into their training stances, preparing for the day's exercises. Some were in human form, others already in their wolf forms, but all of them radiated power and readiness.

The first drill was a sparring session-two warriors paired off, each testing their strength and agility. Tristan watched from the sidelines, his eyes scanning the movements of the fighters. It was clear that he was focused, assessing each move carefully. The pack depended on him, and he knew that.

Selene could feel the power of his gaze even from across the field. Her heart raced in her chest, and for a moment, she wondered if he could sense the turmoil inside her. She had kept it hidden from everyone, but it was growing harder to contain. The curse was stirring again, clawing at the edges of her mind, reminding her of the darkness that always lingered just beneath the surface.

She took her place in line, her movements deliberate, trying to push the dread aside. But it wasn't easy. The air felt thick around her, charged with a tension that made it hard to breathe.

"Selene," a voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Lukas, one of the younger pack members, standing beside her. His eyes were bright with eagerness, but there was a hint of caution in them as well. "Are you ready for the sparring match?"

She nodded, offering him a small smile. "I'm ready."

Lukas wasn't a threat. He was young, inexperienced, and though he had potential, he lacked the raw power of the more seasoned warriors. But today, Selene knew, she had to be careful. Her wolf was restless, and if she wasn't careful, it could take over.

The two of them squared off, and the match began. Lukas lunged first, his movements quick and focused, but Selene easily sidestepped him, her body fluid and precise. She didn't need to exert herself too much. With her heightened senses and years of experience, she had the advantage.

But Lukas was determined, and he didn't back down easily. He struck again, this time more forcefully, his energy focused on overpowering her. Selene blocked his attack, but the impact sent a jolt of power through her, stirring the curse inside her. Her vision flickered for a moment, the edges of her consciousness darkening.

Her wolf howled within her, a feral, wild thing that wanted nothing more than to be free. Selene's breath hitched in her throat, and for a moment, she thought she might lose control. But she gritted her teeth and forced the wolf back into submission, trying to maintain her focus.

Lukas swung again, and this time, Selene wasn't quick enough to avoid it. The punch landed squarely on her shoulder, sending a shock of pain through her body. It wasn't enough to knock her down, but it was enough to remind her that her control was slipping.

She fought against the rising tide of darkness, but it was a battle she wasn't sure she could win. The curse had always been a part of her, but it had never felt so strong, so out of control.

"Selene!" Tristan's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Focus!"

She barely heard him through the fog of her own mind, but something about his voice broke through. His words anchored her, bringing her back to herself.

With a deep breath, Selene steadied herself. She could feel Tristan's eyes on her, watching her every move. The bond between them flared to life again, and with it came the strength she needed to push the darkness aside.

Lukas lunged once more, but this time, Selene was ready. She sidestepped his attack and landed a swift blow to his midsection, knocking the wind out of him. He staggered back, caught off guard by her sudden strength.

The fight was over.

Lukas raised his hands in surrender, panting for breath. "You're incredible, Selene," he said, his voice filled with awe.

Selene managed a strained smile, though the victory didn't feel like one. She had won the match, but she had lost something of herself in the process. The darkness had been so close. So very close.

She turned to find Tristan watching her, his expression unreadable. The bond between them pulsed with energy, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. He knew. He had to know what she was feeling. He always had.

Before she could speak, he stepped toward her. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low and serious.

Selene nodded, following him toward the edge of the training grounds. The pack was still buzzing with activity, but she barely noticed. All her attention was focused on Tristan and the storm brewing inside her.

Once they were out of earshot, Tristan turned to her, his gaze intense. "What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "You were losing control."

The question hung in the air, but Selene couldn't bring herself to answer right away. She had been so close to slipping. She could feel the curse clawing at her, could feel it rising up within her, threatening to overtake everything.

"I'm fine," she lied, her voice too calm, too distant. "I just... I got distracted for a second."

Tristan wasn't fooled. His eyes searched her face, his wolf instincts honed to perfection. "That wasn't just a distraction, Selene. You were close to losing it. I felt it. The darkness inside you... it's stronger than you're letting on."

She swallowed hard, the words she had been avoiding rising in her throat. "It's the curse," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's growing stronger. I don't know how much longer I can keep it in check."

His hand reached out to touch her arm, grounding her. "You don't have to do this alone," he said, his voice soft but firm. "We'll find a way to stop it. Together."

For a moment, Selene closed her eyes, allowing herself to lean into his touch. The bond between them pulsed with strength, with love. She wasn't alone. Not anymore. But the fear still lingered in her chest-the fear that the curse was more powerful than anything they could face.

"We need to figure out how to stop it," she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "Before it destroys everything."

Tristan nodded. "We will. I promise."

**~

Later that night, as the pack settled in for the evening, Selene found herself in the quiet of her room, alone. The walls around her felt suffocating, and the curse inside her churned restlessly, demanding release. But she held it in, clinging to the hope that she could keep it at bay.

The sound of a knock on the door brought her back to reality.

"Selene?" Tristan's voice was soft, yet it carried a weight she couldn't ignore.

She opened the door to find him standing there, his expression unreadable, but his eyes filled with concern.

"You don't have to do this alone," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, stepping aside to let him in. The darkness still loomed, but with Tristan by her side, she felt a flicker of hope. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep her fighting.

For him. For the pack. For them.