Chapter 28Selene
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
SELENE
T he forest is endless, a labyrinth of trees that seem to close in on me with every step. The shadows are still behind me, slithering along the forest floor, relentless in their pursuit. I push myself harder, my lungs burning, my legs aching, but I can’t stop—not now. I can feel my magic bubbling just beneath the surface, but every time I try to summon it, it slips away, leaving me vulnerable.
My breath comes in sharp gasps as I fend off another wave of shadows, sending a pulse of energy toward them. It’s weak, barely enough to keep them at bay, but it gives me a moment to catch my breath. The cold air bites at my skin, and I shiver, more from fear than the chill. The shadows linger at the edges of my vision, waiting for me to falter.
I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.
Just when I think I can’t go any further, I break through the trees and stumble into a clearing. Relief floods through me as I spot a massive stone altar in the center of the space. The shadows that have been chasing me hesitate, retreating to the edge of the clearing as if something is holding them back.
The air here feels... different. Sacred, almost. I approach the altar cautiously, my steps slow and deliberate. The stone is ancient, weathered by time, and covered in markings I don’t recognize. As I reach out to touch it, a strange hum vibrates beneath my fingers, sending a jolt of energy through my body.
The markings—symbols and runes—are intricate, swirling together in a pattern that almost seems to come alive under my touch. There are carvings, too, images of four figures intertwined with lines of power, their forms shadowy but distinct. Something about it stirs something deep within me, though I can’t quite understand it yet. It’s like this place holds a key to something I’ve been searching for my entire life.
But just as I start to feel a sense of safety, a rustling in the trees pulls my attention away from the altar. I whip around, my heart pounding in my chest. Several figures step out from the shadows—lesser warlocks. Their eyes are wild, feral, and they’re looking at me like I’m the last prey left in the Hunt.
I instinctively reach for my magic, but it sputters weakly, barely a flicker of what it should be. There are too many of them, and I’m too drained. My stomach twists as they close in, encircling me.
My heart races as panic claws at my chest. I thought I was safe here, with Damien, Adrian, and Lucien watching over me. But now, I realize how foolish I was to believe that. The Hunt isn’t over—it’s only just begun.
One of the warlocks steps forward, a predatory smile on his lips as he raises his hand, magic sparking at his fingertips. I brace myself, ready to fight even though I know I can’t win.
Suddenly, there’s a loud crack, and the warlock closest to me is flung backward, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud. I blink in shock as Ronan strides into the clearing, his face twisted with rage. His magic crackles around him, violent and untamed.
“Get away from her,” he growls, his voice low and menacing.
The other warlocks hesitate, clearly uncertain. But Ronan doesn’t wait for them to decide. He unleashes a brutal wave of power, sending them scattering back into the forest. I watch, stunned, as he tears through them with a savagery that leaves no doubt in my mind—he’s protecting me .
Within moments, the clearing is empty again, the lesser warlocks driven off. My body sags with relief, but my heart still races as Ronan turns toward me, his eyes burning with intensity.
“You shouldn’t have run off,” he snaps, stalking toward me. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened?”
“Why do you care?” I shoot back, my voice shaky but defiant. “You’re all the same. You want to use me just like they do.”
Ronan’s eyes flash with something dark and dangerous. He steps closer, his presence overwhelming. “Maybe I do,” he admits, his voice a low rumble. “But I’m not letting anyone else have you.”
My breath catches at his words, my pulse quickening as the space between us disappears. There’s something primal in the way he looks at me, something that sends a shiver down my spine. I should be afraid, and part of me is. But there’s another part—a part that’s drawn to him, no matter how much I try to fight it.
We’re close now, too close, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body. His eyes bore into mine, and the air between us crackles with tension.
“I’m not yours to claim,” I manage to say, though my voice betrays me, trembling with uncertainty.
Ronan’s lips curl into a dark, predatory smile. “We’ll see about that. ”
I take a step back, but he follows, his movements slow and deliberate, like a wolf stalking its prey. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can’t tell if it’s fear or something else entirely that’s making me tremble.
Before I can say anything more, Ronan reaches out, his hand brushing against my arm. The contact sends a shock of heat through me, and I gasp, my body betraying me once again. His touch is electric, setting every nerve in my body alight.
“Run all you want,” he whispers, his voice a low growl. “I’ll always find you.”
My breath hitches, and I can feel the pull between us—raw, undeniable, and dangerous. There’s no escaping it.
But I won’t let him have the last word. I square my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. “I’ll make sure you regret it.”
He chuckles darkly, his eyes gleaming with amusement and something more. “I doubt that.”
The tension between us is thick, palpable. Neither of us is willing to back down, but the air is charged with something more than just anger. It’s heat, lust, and a dangerous sense of inevitability.
We stand there, locked in this silent battle, knowing full well that whatever happens next is inevitable.