Chapter 3 The Unbreakable Bond

Selene barely had time to think before her teeth sank into Ronan's neck the second time.

The moment the bond snapped into place, power surged through her, more intense than anything she had ever felt. Heat ignited in her veins, racing through her body like wildfire. Her wolf howled in triumph, and for the first time in years, she felt... complete.

Ronan's entire body jerked violently, his golden eyes going wide as the curse's dark hold on him fractured. His breathing hitched, muscles straining as he fought against the abyss that had been trying to consume him.

Selene clung to him, feeling the mating bond lock into place. She knew what this meant. There was no undoing it now. They were bound forever.

Ronan's hands tightened around her waist, his claws digging into her skin as a snarl ripped from his throat. His entire form shuddered, a war raging within him. He was still on the edge, still battling against the dark pull of the curse.

Selene's pulse pounded. If he lost control now...

She acted on instinct. She pressed her forehead to his.

"Come back to me," she whispered.

A heartbeat passed. Then another. Just then, Ronan inhaled sharply.

The blackness in his eyes faded, golden light flooding back in.

Selene barely had time to react before he crushed her against him, burying his face in her neck. His breathing was ragged, his body shaking, but he was back.

"You saved me," he murmured, voice rough with emotion.

Selene's fingers curled into his hair. "We saved each other."

A furious snarl snapped them out of their moment.

Magnus.

Selene turned to see the Bloodfang Alpha struggling to rise, his crimson eyes burning with rage. His warriors were still recovering from the shockwave of the completed mate bond, but Magnus was already advancing.

"This isn't over," he snarled.

His presence was overwhelming, raw power bleeding into the air. But Selene wasn't afraid anymore. She stepped forward, her body humming with new energy, her bond with Ronan thrumming through her very core.

Magnus's eyes narrowed. "What did you do?"

Selene lifted her chin. "I made my choice."

Magnus's rage twisted into something darker. "You think this changes anything?" He scoffed. "The curse isn't gone, little wolf. You've only delayed the inevitable."

A cold chill ran through Selene's spine, but she didn't care.

Before she could respond, Magnus's body began to shift, his wolf rising to the surface.

Ronan's growl was immediate, protective.

"Go," Ronan commanded her, his voice Alpha-deep. "I'll handle him."

Selene hesitated, her instincts screaming not to leave his side. But she knew Ronan was right-if she stayed, Magnus would use her as a distraction.

With one last look at Ronan, she turned and ran toward the Shadowfang border. She had barely made it a few steps before Magnus lunged at Ronan.

The fight exploded.

Selene's heart pounded as she heard the vicious sound of fangs clashing, bones breaking, and furious snarls.

With every step she took, she couldn't stop worrying if she made the right choice.

She couldn't stop running. Not yet.

She had to survive.

Had to protect what she and Ronan had just forged.

Had to prepare for the war that was coming.

Because Magnus was right about one thing-this wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

The Bloodfang Pack had retreated. Magnus was gone.

But Ronan...

Selene paced outside the healer's tent, her heart hammering against her ribs.

He hadn't come out of the tent since they carried him inside, bleeding and unconscious.

Her hands trembled as she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to push back the dread gnawing at her chest. Every second that passed felt like an eternity. The scent of blood still lingered in the air, thick and metallic, a grim reminder of what had happened just hours ago.

She had never been afraid like this before.

Not when she was on the run. Not when she had been hunted. Not even when Magnus had nearly taken her from him.

But now, standing here, waiting-

She was terrified.

The flap of the tent rustled, and Selene spun around just as the healer stepped out.

The elderly woman's face was grim, her hands still stained with blood.

Selene's stomach twisted. "Is he-"

"He's alive," the healer interrupted.

The breath Selene had been holding rushed out of her, her knees nearly buckling with relief.

"But the curse..." The healer hesitated, wiping her hands on a cloth. "His wolf was already unstable before this battle, and now-" She exhaled heavily. "He's fighting it. But I don't know for how much longer."

Selene's blood turned to ice.

She shoved past the healer before the woman could stop her, pushing into the tent.

The scent of herbs and blood filled her nose, but she barely registered it. Her eyes locked onto Ronan, lying on the cot, his breathing shallow, his skin too pale beneath the golden glow of the lanterns.

His wounds were healing, but slowly. His chest rose and fell unevenly, his brow damp with sweat.

Selene sank to her knees beside him, her fingers brushing his arm. His skin was hot, feverish.

She swallowed hard. "Ronan," she whispered.

No response.

The bond between them pulsed, but it felt... different. Faint. Distant.

A horrifying thought clawed into her mind. Was she losing him?

Her fingers curled into the blanket beside him. "You have to wake up," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't fight this hard-we didn't fight this hard-for you to give up now."

His face remained still, unreadable.

Selene clenched her jaw. No. She wouldn't let him go.

She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his.

"Come back to me," she murmured. "Please."

She was already starting to lose hope