Chapter 3 3

The days that followed were a blur of calculated moves and cautious steps. Selena Kaelvar had always been skilled at keeping her emotions hidden, at blending into the background. But now, in the role of Liana Morven, she was forced to constantly monitor herself, to remain vigilant in every interaction. One misstep could unravel everything she had worked for.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the Crescent Moon Pack village. Selena stood by the balcony overlooking the sprawling territory, watching the pack members go about their duties. The sharp scent of pine and earth filled her lungs as she leaned against the wooden railing, her thoughts distant.

The plan she had set in motion weeks ago was progressing far too smoothly, and it unsettled her. There was no room for error. Every moment felt like a ticking clock, reminding her that time was running out. She had to act before Darius became too suspicious.

"Liana," a voice called from behind her, pulling Selena from her thoughts.

She turned to see Darius approaching, his usual commanding presence followed by a group of warriors. Their expressions were serious, their shoulders tense. Selena's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her unease.

"What is it, Darius?" she asked, her voice soft, a perfect imitation of the calm demeanor Liana would have worn.

Darius didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his eyes scanning her face. There was something in the way he looked at her, something that made her feel exposed. She fought the urge to step back, to retreat from the intensity in his gaze.

"Do you remember what we discussed?" he asked, his tone low, measured.

A flicker of confusion passed through her. "Discussed?"

He nodded, his brow furrowing. "About the upcoming pack gathering. I had planned for us to go together, but the warriors have been concerned about the borders. There may be an attack tonight."

Selena forced herself to maintain her composure. The mention of an attack wasn't surprising. She had anticipated this, but it hadn't been part of her immediate plan. She had hoped to stay under the radar, to avoid drawing too much attention. But now, the situation was changing, and she had to think quickly.

"I understand," she replied, her voice steady. "I'll be ready when you are."

Darius's expression softened slightly, but there was still a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Liana," he said, his voice quieter now. "I know this role hasn't been easy for you, but you don't have to carry everything alone. You can talk to me, anytime."

Something inside Selena twisted, a sharp pang of discomfort at the kindness in his voice. She had planned this-the deception, the revenge-but she hadn't expected to feel so... conflicted. Her heart hardened, and she forced the vulnerability aside. This wasn't about her. It wasn't about her emotions. It was about justice.

"I'll be fine, Darius," she said, her voice firm, no hint of hesitation. "I appreciate your concern."

He didn't seem entirely convinced, but he nodded, turning away to issue commands to the warriors. Selena watched him for a moment longer, her mind racing. She had expected the mission to be difficult, but the deeper she got into this role, the more the lines between revenge and reality seemed to blur.

The next few hours were filled with preparation. Selena spent the afternoon watching over the pack's gathering preparations. She moved through the village with practiced grace, speaking with the warriors and pack members, all the while keeping an eye on the larger picture. Tonight was critical. She needed to make her move, to gather enough information to start dismantling the Crescent Moon Pack from the inside.

By dusk, the pack was on high alert. Warriors patrolled the borders, eyes sharp for any sign of intrusion. The village had quieted, the air thick with the tension of an impending battle. Selena stood in the center of the courtyard, watching as Darius made his final preparations.

He seemed more agitated now, pacing back and forth, speaking to his trusted warriors in low tones. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by a restless energy, one that made Selena uneasy.

"Liana," he said, his voice strained, pulling her from her thoughts.

She turned to face him, her expression calm.

"You don't need to stay here," Darius said, his eyes flicking nervously toward the horizon. "This could get dangerous. Go back to the hall and wait for me there."

Selena's heart pounded in her chest. This was the moment she had been preparing for, but she hadn't anticipated this shift in their dynamic. He cared for Liana-perhaps more than she had realized. And it made everything more complicated.

"I'm fine here," she said, her voice steady. "I want to be by your side."

Darius looked at her for a long moment, his gaze intense, as though searching for something beneath the surface. Then, with a sigh, he nodded.

"Very well," he said. "Stay close. If anything happens, I want you out of harm's way."

The warriors began to move, their steps swift and deliberate. Darius's eyes never left her as he joined them, his presence a constant force at her side. The pack was preparing for something, but Selena couldn't tell whether the attack was a real threat or merely a distraction.

Time felt like it was moving in slow motion as the night wore on. Selena stayed close to Darius, watching his every move, analyzing the pack's behavior. She needed to learn something-anything-that would give her the edge. She couldn't let herself get too distracted by the weight of her emotions, by the pull of the life she was pretending to live.

It wasn't until the first signs of movement in the trees that Selena's instincts kicked in. She knew they were under attack. The warriors around her went on high alert, their eyes scanning the forest for any signs of movement.

Darius's posture stiffened, and he turned to her, his eyes hardening with resolve. "Stay here," he ordered, his voice sharp.

"I'm coming with you," Selena replied, her tone firm.

For a brief moment, his gaze softened, and something unspoken passed between them. But then, without another word, he was gone, leading the warriors into the forest.

Selena watched them disappear into the shadows, her pulse quickening. This was the perfect opportunity.

She moved quickly, following the group from a distance, her movements blending into the night. She knew the terrain well-had studied it for weeks-and she could track their movements without being detected. She needed to get close enough to overhear their plans, to learn the weaknesses in their strategy.

The forest was alive with movement now, the sound of rushing feet and low growls filling the air. Selena crouched behind a cluster of trees, her eyes trained on the warriors ahead. She could hear Darius's voice, commanding and authoritative, as he barked orders to his pack. His words were low, but Selena could catch fragments.

"We need to push forward," Darius said. "No retreat."

Selena's pulse quickened. This wasn't just a skirmish. The Crescent Moon Pack was preparing for something larger. Something dangerous.

Her thoughts raced. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She had to act.

Suddenly, a sharp crack pierced the air-an explosion of noise and chaos. Selena's heart leapt in her chest. The attack had begun.

She moved swiftly, taking advantage of the confusion to slip past the warriors and head deeper into the forest. Her mission was clear: find out what the Crescent Moon Pack was really planning.

The further she went, the more the sounds of battle faded. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting an eerie glow over the path ahead. She had to be careful-one wrong move could expose her.

As she reached a clearing, she caught sight of figures moving through the shadows. She crouched low, hiding behind a thick tree trunk, her breath shallow as she peered out at the scene.

Darius stood at the center of the clearing, his form silhouetted by the moon. He was surrounded by a group of warriors, all listening intently as he spoke.

"This is our chance," Darius said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "If we strike now, we can wipe out the resistance before they have a chance to regroup."

Resistance? Selena's mind raced. This wasn't just a territorial dispute. The Crescent Moon Pack was planning something much larger.

Her hand tightened around the hilt of her knife, her pulse quickening. She needed more information-something that would give her the leverage she needed to bring this pack down.

Darius's voice cut through the night air again. "We leave at dawn. Prepare yourselves. This will be the final push."

Selena's heart dropped. This was it-the moment she had feared. The Crescent Moon Pack wasn't just protecting its territory. They were preparing for war.

She had to stop them. And she would start by using every ounce of her strength, cunning, and deceit to tear them apart from the inside.