Chapter 2 2

The sound of the forest was all-encompassing, the rustle of leaves and distant calls of wolves barely breaking the silence that hung between Selena and the Luna's unconscious body. Liana Morven lay bound in the small cabin Selena had chosen as her temporary hideout. The soft glow of a flickering lantern illuminated the faint rise and fall of the Luna's chest, signaling that the woman was still alive. But that was all that mattered to Selena for now-she couldn't afford any complications.

She set a small bowl of water next to Liana's head, ensuring that the unconscious woman would be hydrated once she awoke. Selena was careful to keep her movements quiet, her heart racing as she replayed the events of the past few hours. The kidnapping, the theft of Liana's identity, her first interaction with Darius Raelith-it had all gone far too smoothly.

Too smoothly.

Doubt gnawed at Selena. She hadn't expected the Alpha's warmth, his willingness to help, to genuinely care for the Luna. It left a sour taste in her mouth. Darius Raelith wasn't just the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack; he was also the son of the man responsible for the massacre of her family. His kindness felt like a betrayal, a reminder that vengeance wasn't as straightforward as she had hoped.

Shaking her head, Selena focused. She couldn't afford to be distracted by guilt or the flicker of compassion she had felt toward the Alpha. He wasn't her concern. The pack wasn't her concern. Her only goal was to see the Crescent Moon Pack crumble, to destroy the legacy of a man who had taken everything from her. She wouldn't rest until every single one of them paid.

"Wake up," she whispered to Liana, her voice cold and distant. The woman stirred slightly but didn't fully awaken. Selena glanced over her shoulder toward the door, ensuring no one had followed her. The quiet of the night outside was reassuring.

The days ahead would be a delicate game, one that Selena intended to play to perfection. She couldn't risk arousing suspicion, especially not from Darius. The Alpha's sharp instincts could see through a façade faster than a wolf could chase its prey.

But Selena wasn't here to play the role of the dutiful Luna forever. She wasn't here to fit into their world. Her mission was clear, and it had already begun. The Crescent Moon Pack needed to be dismantled, piece by piece.

Darius Raelith's heart may have seemed soft, but she couldn't forget that he was still a wolf, still capable of violence. Still capable of destroying everything in his path to protect his pack. Selena had seen that side of him in the way he spoke of his father's legacy-of the atrocities his father had committed. She wasn't naïve enough to believe that Darius would be any different.

Selena turned her attention back to Liana, who was still breathing shallowly. She couldn't afford to take any chances. She needed to stay ahead of Darius's every move, anticipate his reactions, and never let down her guard.

The next few days were a blur of preparation. Selena spent the early hours of each day locked in the small cabin, her mind racing through plans, maps, and potential strategies. She had to infiltrate the Crescent Moon Pack, earn their trust, and stay one step ahead of Darius. She needed to learn everything she could about their weaknesses, their allies, and their inner workings.

By evening, she would return to the village as Liana, slipping into her role with practiced ease. The pack members greeted her warmly, not knowing the truth that lay hidden beneath her smile.

Darius, too, seemed to believe that she was his Luna, though Selena couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her more closely than anyone else. His eyes seemed to linger on her longer than necessary, as though he were searching for something, anything, that didn't fit.

But Selena couldn't afford to hesitate. The time for hesitation had passed when her family was slaughtered in front of her eyes.

On the fourth day after Liana's abduction, Selena found herself once again standing before Darius. This time, he seemed different. There was an edge to his demeanor, a wariness that hadn't been there before.

"You've been distant lately," Darius said, his voice low, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his gaze. "I can feel it. Tell me what's really on your mind."

Selena met his eyes, doing her best to mimic the calm expression Liana would wear. "Nothing is wrong, Darius. I'm simply adjusting to the demands of the role."

Darius didn't seem entirely convinced. His jaw clenched, but he didn't press her further. Instead, he motioned toward the grand hall. "Come. There's something I need to show you."

Against her better judgment, Selena followed him, trying to remain composed. She didn't know what Darius was planning, but she had learned long ago that surprises rarely ended in her favor.

Inside the grand hall, the air was thick with tension. Several members of the pack were gathered around a large table, discussing something in low voices. Darius stood beside her, his presence looming over her like a dark cloud.

One of the pack's senior warriors, a burly man with scars lining his face, turned to face them. "Alpha, there's something we need to address," the man said, his voice gruff. "There's been talk-rumors about the Luna. The pack's starting to ask questions."

Selena's heart skipped a beat. Her stomach twisted in knots, but she forced herself to remain still.

"What kind of questions?" Darius asked, his tone calm but sharp.

The warrior hesitated, casting a wary glance toward Selena. "There's been some... confusion. The way she's been acting. The Luna hasn't been herself lately. And it's been noticed."

A wave of panic surged through Selena, but she quickly suppressed it. She had to keep her composure. She couldn't let anyone see that she was anything but Liana.

Darius's eyes flickered to her, studying her closely. Selena met his gaze without flinching. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

"I'll handle it," Darius finally said, his voice cold and commanding. He turned back to the warrior. "Keep your concerns to yourself. If the pack's loyalty is questioned, we'll deal with it in time."

With that, he gestured for the warrior to leave, and the room fell silent. Selena's heart continued to race, but she dared not show it. Darius was too perceptive.

He finally turned to face her fully. His gaze softened, but there was an intensity in his eyes that she hadn't seen before. "Liana, are you sure everything is alright? You can speak to me, you know. I care about you."

The sincerity in his voice was enough to send a shiver down her spine. For a moment, she almost faltered, the weight of her deception heavy on her shoulders. But she pushed the feeling aside.

"I'm fine, Darius," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I just need time."

Darius didn't seem entirely convinced, but he nodded. "I'll give you time. Just know that you don't have to carry this alone."

Selena's breath caught in her throat. The words sounded so much like the ones he would say to Liana, the words of a man who loved his mate. But she wasn't Liana, and she couldn't let herself forget that.

She forced a smile, a small curve of her lips that was both reassuring and distant. "Thank you, Darius. But I'm not ready to talk yet."

Darius seemed to accept this answer, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes-an emotion she couldn't quite name.

With a final nod, he turned and left the room, leaving Selena standing alone in the quiet hall.

Once the door closed behind him, Selena exhaled sharply, releasing the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her mind raced, and the weight of the situation pressed down on her chest.

She was walking a fine line, and every step forward made it harder to see the path ahead, but the path forward was the only one that mattered.

The Crescent Moon Pack had to fall, and Selena would be the one to make sure it did.