Chapter 3 BATTLE OF THE ALPHAS

CHAPTER THREE

The air crackled with tension, the sound of snapping bones filling the room as Damien and Lucian shifted into their wolf forms. Selene's breath hitched as she pressed herself against the headboard, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had seen fights between Alphas before, but this wasn't just a battle for dominance-this was a war over her.

Damien's massive black wolf snarled, golden eyes locked on Lucian's silver-furred form. The two circled each other, muscles taut, growls vibrating through the walls of the estate.

"Stop!" Selene's voice cut through the tension, but neither of them listened.

Lucian lunged first, fangs bared, aiming straight for Damien's throat. Damien dodged at the last second, his powerful form moving with deadly precision. He retaliated instantly, sinking his claws into Lucian's side, drawing blood.

Lucian let out a vicious snarl but didn't back down. He twisted, sinking his teeth into Damien's shoulder, shaking his head violently.

Selene scrambled off the bed, clutching the silk sheets around her. She had to stop this before they tore each other apart.

They won't stop until one of them is dead, her wolf whispered inside her.

She clenched her fists. No. I won't let that happen.

Ignoring the danger, she ran between them, planting herself between the two wolves just as Damien prepared to lunge again.

"Enough!" she screamed.

Damien skidded to a halt, his golden eyes burning with fury. Lucian hesitated as well, his breathing ragged.

Selene turned to Lucian, chest heaving. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Lucian shifted back first, blood dripping from the gash on his side. His sharp features softened as he looked at her. "I came to take you back."

Damien growled low, his massive wolf still ready to strike. But at Selene's glare, he shifted back, standing completely naked before her.

She tore her gaze away before she got distracted. Now's not the time to admire his body, she scolded herself.

Damien wiped the blood from his shoulder and crossed his arms. "You lost your chance with her, Lucian." His voice was sharp, unrelenting. "She's mine now."

Lucian's jaw clenched. "You think this is about a claim?" His eyes darkened as he turned to Selene. "You don't even know, do you?"

Selene frowned. "Know what?"

Lucian hesitated.

Damien stepped closer, eyes narrowed. "Say it."

Lucian exhaled, his gaze locking onto Selene's. "You were never supposed to be with him. You were supposed to be my mate. But when you rejected me, something happened."

Selene felt her stomach twist. "What are you talking about?"

Lucian ran a hand through his silver-streaked hair. "There's a prophecy, Selene. One that speaks of a she-wolf who carries the blood of an Alpha but is destined to rule beside a King."

Silence settled in the room.

Damien stiffened. "A prophecy?"

Lucian nodded. "Selene... you're that wolf."

Selene's breath caught in her throat. No. That can't be true.

But deep inside, her wolf knew.

Damien's expression hardened. "And you think that means she belongs with you?"

Lucian's voice was steady. "I think it means she belongs with the strongest Alpha."

Damien bared his teeth. "Then you'll have to kill me to take her."

Selene stepped forward, her voice shaking. "Both of you need to stop." She looked between them, anger burning in her veins. "I am not some prize to be fought over."

Lucian's gaze softened. "Selene, you don't understand-"

"No, you don't understand." She pointed at Damien. "You think just because my body responds to you, that means I belong to you?" Then she turned to Lucian. "And you-you had years to fight for me, and you waited until now?"

Both men fell silent.

Selene took a deep breath, her decision forming in her mind. "I don't belong to either of you. I belong to myself."

Damien's jaw clenched. Lucian's eyes darkened.

But before either of them could respond, the door burst open again.

A woman stood in the doorway, her long, dark red hair flowing over her shoulders. Her emerald eyes gleamed with mischief, and a smirk curled her lips.

"Well, isn't this adorable?" she purred, stepping into the room.

Selene tensed. She didn't know who this woman was, but something about her screamed danger.

Damien's expression darkened instantly. "What the hell are you doing here, Camille?"

Lucian stiffened beside Selene.

Selene swallowed hard. "Who is she?"

Camille's smirk widened. "Oh, didn't Damien tell you?" She trailed a finger down her own neck seductively. "I'm his mate."

The room spun.

Selene's heart dropped.

She turned to Damien, her voice barely a whisper. "Tell me she's lying."

Damien's silence was answer enough.