Chapter 1 The Return

The aroma of moist soil and pine permeated the atmosphere as Selene Nightshade positioned herself at the boundary of Ravenstone, her heart pounding within her chest. Five years had gone by since she last stood here, having vowed never to come back. However, destiny possessed a harsh sense of irony. She lowered the hood of her cloak further over her face, protecting herself from the curious gazes of the patrol guards positioned along the perimeter. However, she was aware that as soon as she passed the unseen limit, they would smell her presence.

And even more troubling, they would detect his smell. Lucian. She glanced at the little boy beside her. He grasped the fringe of her cloak with his small fingers, his shining silver eyes-the identical eyes of his father-gleaming softly in the dusk. The connection between them was inseparable, and although she had devoted years to shielding him from the reality, she realized that the moment had come. A deep growl echoed from the trees in front, accompanied by the sound of leaves rustling as a huge wolf appeared, its golden eyes squinting in doubt. The warrior transformed effortlessly into his human shape, an imposing presence with scars running across his arms. His nostrils expanded. "Who is it?" His tone was piercing, authoritative. Then his eyes grew large, understanding emerging. "Is that you, Selene?" Her breath caught, yet she compelled her voice to stay calm. "I must meet with Alpha Kade." The fighter's surprise transformed into caution. "The Alpha doesn't-" "I'm not concerned about what he permits or forbids," she interrupted, her hold on Lucian's hand growing firmer. "Inform him that Selene Nightshade has come back." "And I have information he cannot disregard." The guard paused for a lengthy moment before offering a rigid nod. He pivoted on his heel and vanished into the woods, undoubtedly hurrying and rushing toward the packhouse. Selene breathed out gradually. This is it. The time she had feared for years. Lucian pulled on her sleeve, his soft voice just above a whisper. "Mom... will he be upset?" Her chest tightened. "Indeed," she confessed gently, smoothing a strand of dark hair away from his brow. "Regardless of what occurs, I won't allow him to take you away from me." Lucian's tiny hand formed a fist, his silver eyes gleaming with an intensity too strong for a child to hold. "He will not." "I give my word." A gust of wind brought the undeniable aroma of strength and rage. And then, he appeared. Alpha Kade Raventhorn. He stepped out of the darkness like a hunter, his imposing stature tight with suppressed fury. Midnight-black hair tousled by the breeze, defined jawline firm with a grimace, and those sharp silver eyes fixed on her like a wolf that had just detected its quarry. He remained silent for an extended period. He just gazed, his eyes shifting from her face to the baby beside her. Suddenly, his voice-deep, rugged, and filled with unexpressed feelings-broke the quiet. "You have the audacity to come back to my territory?" Selene raised her chin, instilling strength into her posture. "I had no other option." Kade moved ahead, his fists tightly shut. "Whose kid is that?" She could sense the almost suppressed growl in his throat, feel the fury emanating from him in waves. Selene straightened her shoulders, her forthcoming words creating a wave of astonishment in the clearing. "He's yours, Kade." A deep silence descended upon the forest. Kade's whole body became stiff. His breaths were quick and irregular, his wolf lurking just underneath, hardly contained. Selene knew she had just set fire to the past. And there would be no turning back.