Chapter 4 UNRAVELING SECRETS.

The morning after Damian's departure was a blur of emotions. Selena's mind felt foggy, as though the entire encounter in the woods had been a dream-until she saw the remnants of the magic that had still lingered in the air, the faint glow of moonlight that hadn't quite dissipated from the forest clearing.

Her heart still raced from the encounter, each of Damian's words replaying in her mind. Everything you think you know is a lie. The cryptic tone of his voice haunted her, twisting through her thoughts, making her second-guess everything she had ever been told about herself, about the power she now held.

She had always believed her strength came from within, from her own determination. But what if that wasn't the whole truth? What if there was something darker, something more dangerous lurking in the shadows, waiting to reveal itself?

Selena couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing at the edge of something enormous-something that would change her life forever.

At work that day, her usual routine felt like a distant memory. The mundane tasks of answering emails, organizing schedules, and meeting with clients seemed trivial compared to the weight of the revelations she had been forced to confront. She couldn't focus on anything. Her mind kept drifting back to Damian and his cryptic words. What did he mean? And why did she feel like there was a truth just beyond her grasp, waiting for her to uncover it?

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Elias, the one person who might be able to answer some of her questions. Meet me at the usual spot. We need to talk. Selena hesitated for only a moment before typing a quick reply. I'll be there.

She knew Elias might hold the answers she sought, but part of her still didn't trust him completely. There was something about him-something she couldn't quite put her finger on-that made her wary. But she had no choice. She needed answers, and if Elias was the only one who could give them to her, then she would take the risk.

The meeting spot was an old café on the edge of town, a place she and Elias had frequented years ago before everything had changed. The dimly lit room, with its old wooden tables and worn leather booths, held a quiet charm. But today, it felt different. The air was thick with tension, and Selena couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to shift.

She spotted Elias at their usual booth in the back, his tall figure slumped against the cushions, his eyes scanning the room as if waiting for something-or someone. As she approached, he looked up and gave her a brief nod.

"Selena," he greeted her softly, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken words. "I'm glad you came." She slid into the seat across from him, the familiar scent of coffee and old books filling her senses. "What is it, Elias? Why did you ask to meet me?"

Elias glanced around the room, as if checking to make sure no one was listening. When he was satisfied, he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Damian isn't what he seems, Selena. He's not just some arrogant wolf who thinks he can control everything."

Selena's breath caught in her throat. "What are you talking about? He is an arrogant wolf. He's always been that way."

Elias shook his head, his expression grim. "No. He's something much worse than that. And I'm afraid you're too deeply involved now to back out." Selena leaned forward, her pulse quickening. "What do you mean? What's going on, Elias?"

Elias hesitated, as though weighing his words carefully before continuing. "Damian is part of something much bigger, something far darker than anything you could imagine. There's a reason he's been watching you, why he's been so intent on keeping you in his orbit. You're not just some random girl, Selena. You're tied to something ancient, something dangerous." Selena's heart skipped a beat. "Tied to what?"

Elias's eyes met hers, his gaze heavy with the burden of the truth he was about to reveal. "You're a descendant of the Moonborn," he said softly. "A bloodline that has been hidden for centuries, a power that has been passed down through generations. The magic you've unlocked-it's in your blood. It was always there, waiting to be awakened."

Selena sat back in her chair, her mind racing to process the words that had just left Elias's mouth. Moonborn. It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, not real life. And yet, something deep inside her stirred-a strange recognition, as though her very soul understood what he was saying.

"Wait," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean, always there? How could I have this power and not known about it? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Elias's gaze softened, a hint of regret flashing across his face. "Because the Moonborn bloodline is meant to stay hidden. It's a curse, not a gift. The magic you possess is powerful, but it's also dangerous. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could destroy everything. That's why Damian has been watching you. He's been trying to control you, to bend you to his will."

"Damian," Selena muttered, her mind reeling. "All this time, he's been manipulating me?" Elias nodded, his face hardening. "Yes. But what he doesn't realize is that you're stronger than he thinks. Hu it."

Selena felt the weight of his words settle over her like a heavy blanket. A prophecy? A world-changing power? It was too much to comprehend, and yet, she couldn't deny the deep, gnawing feeling in her gut that told her it was all true.

"How do you know all of this?" she asked, her voice trembling. Elias stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a heavy sigh, he spoke the words that sent a chill through her very bones.

"Because I'm not just a friend, Selena. I'm part of the prophecy too." Selena's breath caught in her throat. "What? What do you mean?"

Elias leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "I'm the one who's been sent to guide you. To help you unlock your full potential. But there's one thing I need to tell you before it's too late."

Selena's heart raced, her mind spinning with a hundred questions, but the one question that burned the brightest was the one she had to ask.

"What's the one thing, Elias?" she demanded, her voice cracking with urgency. "What is it?" Elias looked at her with a mixture of sorrow and resolve. "You can't trust anyone, Selena. Not even me."

With Elias's cryptic warning hanging in the air, Selena faces the terrifying reality that everyone around her may have their own hidden agendas. Can she trust Elias, or is he just another player in a dangerous game?