Chapter 5 5

The following days dragged on in a blur of training, discussions, and unsettling silence between Selene and the pack. Though the air in the house was filled with activity, it felt heavy, weighed down by unspoken fears. The curse still lingered in the back of her mind, gnawing at her every waking moment. Tristan could feel it too, the tension in their bond, but he said nothing. Instead, he focused on preparing the pack for the unknown threat that was surely coming.

Selene knew he was doing his best to keep them safe, but the question that haunted her every moment was whether it would be enough.

Despite her resolve to fight, something deep inside her told her the darkness was growing stronger-each day, a little bit more insistent. There were nights when she could feel it coiling inside her, threatening to rise to the surface. The power of the curse was a living thing, one that had been with her for so long she could no longer remember life without it. She had always struggled to keep it in check, but now-now it seemed to have a mind of its own.

The nights were the worst.

When the moon rose high in the sky, when the world fell silent, Selene could hear it whispering to her, calling to her wolf. She fought it, gritting her teeth as she felt the change begin-her skin prickling, her muscles tightening, her senses sharpening. Every inch of her body screamed to shift, to release the power that had always been within her. It would have been so easy to give in. But Tristan's voice, his promise to her, echoed in her mind: You don't have to do this alone.

And so, she held on. Barely.

One evening, after the pack had gone to bed, Tristan found her standing by the window, staring out into the dense forest that surrounded their home. The moonlight illuminated her silhouette, casting shadows that seemed to mirror the darkness inside her. He stood there for a moment, watching her, before he stepped forward.

"Selene," he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken words.

She turned slowly, her gaze meeting his, but there was something in her eyes-a flicker of fear, of doubt-that he hadn't seen before. For a moment, she seemed to hesitate, as though weighing whether to say what was on her mind.

"I don't know how much longer I can keep it inside," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Tristan stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. The bond between them thrummed in his chest, a constant reminder of what they had shared, of what was at stake. He could feel her pain, her fear, and it broke something inside him.

"You won't have to," he said, his voice firm. "We'll find a way. Together."

Selene shook her head slightly, her expression pained. "I don't know if there is a way, Tristan. I've tried everything. The curse... it's too strong. The power inside me wants to be free."

She paused, the words lingering in the air between them like a dark cloud. Tristan could feel the weight of her admission, the fear that gripped her heart. And, in that moment, he understood. He knew what it was like to feel like you were fighting against something you couldn't control, something that could destroy everything you loved.

"I'm scared," she confessed, her voice breaking slightly. "I don't know what will happen if I let go. If I... if I become what I fear the most."

"Selene," Tristan said gently, reaching out to touch her arm, grounding her. "You're not alone in this. Whatever happens, we'll face it together. I'll protect you."

She swallowed hard, her lips trembling slightly. "But what if I hurt you? What if I hurt the pack again? I couldn't bear it."

"You won't," Tristan reassured her, his hand tightening on hers. "We'll find a way to stop it. We'll fight it together. You don't have to face this alone."

Selene's eyes searched his, uncertainty still clouding her features. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust that they could overcome this, but deep down, the fear was still there. The darkness was too powerful. Too tempting.

Before she could speak again, the sudden howl of a wolf echoed through the night, sharp and primal. The sound sent a shiver down Selene's spine. It was followed by more howls, distant at first, then growing nearer, closer.

Tristan's expression shifted instantly, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the door. "Stay here," he commanded, his voice low and urgent. "I'll go check it out."

But Selene wasn't about to stay behind. Her wolf stirred inside her, restless, eager. Without thinking, she grabbed her jacket and followed him outside, her heart pounding with the need to act, to protect.

By the time they reached the clearing near the edge of the forest, the sound of the howls had stopped, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the crackle of distant twigs snapping. Tristan's posture was tense, every muscle in his body coiled for a fight.

"Stay close," he muttered, his eyes scanning the dark woods, his senses alert for any movement.

Selene nodded, her own instincts on high alert. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck rise, her body instinctively preparing for whatever danger was lurking nearby. She had been in enough fights to know when something was off, when the air was thick with impending danger.

A rustle in the bushes behind them caused them both to whip around. Selene's heart skipped a beat as a figure emerged from the darkness-a lone wolf, its fur dark and matted, its eyes gleaming with malice. Its growl rumbled low in its throat, sending a shudder through the air.

"Rogue," Tristan muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on the wolf. "Stay behind me."

But Selene was already stepping forward, her wolf clawing at the surface, urging her to shift. She resisted the temptation, though the power of the curse thrummed in her veins, fighting for dominance. The rogue was a threat, and she couldn't afford to let it get the better of her.

"I can handle this," she said, her voice steady despite the rising panic inside her. "We can take it down together."

Tristan gave her a warning look, but he didn't argue. The rogue lunged at them, its teeth bared, its movements fast and vicious. Tristan was the first to react, shifting into his wolf form with a fluid grace. His powerful body collided with the rogue's, the impact reverberating through the forest.

Selene shifted as well, her wolf bursting free in a wave of power. The moment the transformation was complete, she was on the rogue, her fangs sinking deep into its side. The rogue howled in pain, but Selene didn't let go. Her wolf's instincts took over, and she fought with a ferocity she hadn't felt in years.

The rogue struggled beneath her, its claws raking across her fur, but she didn't stop. She could feel the darkness inside her, the power of the curse, urging her to destroy the threat, to dominate it completely. The desire to give in was overwhelming, but she fought it back, focusing on the task at hand.

Tristan's voice cut through the fog of her mind. "Selene, don't-"

But it was too late.

With one final, brutal twist, Selene's wolf tore through the rogue's throat, silencing its struggles. The body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

For a moment, everything was still. Selene's wolf stood over the fallen rogue, panting heavily. The blood-soaked ground beneath her felt unreal, and she could hardly breathe as the last remnants of the fight faded.

She shifted back into her human form, her heart pounding in her chest, but something felt off. The darkness was stronger now, coiling inside her, demanding release. She closed her eyes, fighting to hold it back, but the hunger was insistent.

"Selene." Tristan's voice was filled with warning, but there was something else-something that hinted at fear. "You need to control it. Now."

Selene's breath came in short gasps, her body trembling. "I can't," she whispered, the words barely audible. "It's too strong. I-"

Before she could finish, the ground beneath her feet seemed to shift. The bond between her and Tristan flared, sharp and electric, but it wasn't enough to anchor her. Her vision blurred, and the power within her surged, pushing her toward the edge.

"Tristan, help me!" she cried, her voice frantic. But the words barely left her lips before everything went black.

When she awoke, it was to the sound of Tristan's voice, gentle and insistent.

"Selene, you're okay. You're safe."

Her eyes fluttered open, the dim light of the room pulling her back into consciousness. She was lying on the bed, wrapped in blankets, but her body felt heavy. Her mind, still foggy from the sudden onslaught of power, refused to settle.

"Tristan?" she whispered, her voice weak.

"I'm here," he replied, his hand brushing her hair away from her face. "You were out for hours."

"I-" Her words faltered as the memory of the rogue and the battle came rushing back. "I lost control again."

Tristan's eyes softened, his fingers gently gripping hers. "It's okay. You're okay. We'll figure this out."

But Selene knew that wasn't the truth. The darkness inside her had grown stronger, and the fear that it would take over was no longer something she could ignore... The curse was winning.