The following days passed slowly for Selene.
Her weakness continued to worsen.
There were mornings when getting out of bed seemed harder than facing any battle. Her body was changing, though she still didn't understand how or why. The fevers came during the night. The heat burned through her veins and disappeared before dawn, leaving only exhaustion.
Liam noticed.
But he was becoming busier by the day.
The council meetings had become daily occurrences.
The war against Falgor left everyone on edge.
And Ravenna was always there.
Always at his side.
Always ready to offer an opinion.
Always seeming like the perfect solution to every problem Ferrum faced.
That morning, Selene was watching the warriors train from the upper balcony when she heard footsteps behind her.
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
“Are you avoiding the central hall again?”
Ravenna's voice was soft.
Sweet.
False.
Selene kept her eyes on the arena.
“I'm just watching.”
“Of course.”
Ravenna stopped beside her.
Below them, Liam was talking with Theron and several commanders.
“It must be difficult.”
Selene remained silent.
“What?”
“Seeing all this.”
Seeing what should have been hers.
Selene finally turned her head.
“Don't you ever get tired?”
Ravenna smiled.
“Of what?”
“Trying to hurt me.”
For one second, the mask slipped.
Ravenna's green eyes turned cold.
Cruel.
“I don't need to try.
You do that all by yourself.”
Selene drew a deep breath.
She wouldn't give Ravenna what she wanted.
Not anymore.
But Ravenna wasn't finished.
“Do you know what I heard yesterday?”
“I don't care.”
“I heard two elders arguing about succession.”
Selene's heart clenched.
“And?”
“They were worried.”
Very worried.
“About what?”
Ravenna tilted her head slightly.
“About the fact that the Alpha still has no heirs.”
The words struck exactly where they were meant to.
Selene felt the pain tear through her chest.
Ravenna noticed.
And smiled.
“Maybe they're right.
Maybe Ferrum needs someone stronger.
Someone who can give the Alpha what he needs.”
Selene took a step back.
“Enough.”
“Does the truth hurt?”
“I said enough.”
Ravenna moved closer.
“Or does it hurt because you know it's true?”
“You don't know anything about me.”
“I know more than you think.
I know even your own wolf doesn't recognize you.
I know the council tolerates you.
I know the warriors don't follow you.
And I know Liam is beginning to realize it.”
Selene felt something shudder inside her.
A wave of heat.
A sharp pain.
As if something inside her were trying to awaken.
Trying to answer.
Trying to fight.
But her body couldn't take it.
She staggered.
Ravenna watched with satisfaction.
“See?
You can't even stand.
How could you ever be Luna?”
That night, there was another council meeting.
Selene had been invited only because she was the Alpha's wife.
Nothing more.
Seated at the long stone table, she listened to reports about attacks along the borders.
She listened to strategies.
She listened to concerns.
And she listened to praise.
A lot of praise.
All of it directed at Ravenna.
“Lady Ravenna presented an excellent solution for the outposts.”
“Her military experience is impressive.”
“Ferrum was lucky to receive her help.”
Selene remained silent.
Until one of the elders spoke:
“Some people are simply born to lead.”
His eyes settled on Ravenna.
And stayed there.
No one needed to explain what the remark meant.
Everyone understood.
Selene included.
Liam included.
But Liam remained silent.
And that hurt more than any insult.
Later, when the meeting ended, Selene went outside for some air.
She needed to breathe.
She needed to get away from those stares.
Away from those judgments.
Away from that constant feeling of inadequacy.
She went to the gardens.
The place where she used to find peace.
But she found Ravenna there.
Again.
As if she were always waiting.
“Running away again?”
Selene closed her eyes.
“What do you want now?”
“Just a conversation.”
“You don't have conversations.
You attack.”
Ravenna laughed.
“Then let's stop pretending.”
Her smile vanished.
“You don't belong in Ferrum.
You never have.”
“That isn't your decision to make.”
“Isn't it?”
Ravenna took another step.
“Then why is everyone starting to agree with me?”
Selene felt her anger growing.
Not ordinary anger.
Something different.
Deeper.
Hotter.
As if it came from somewhere else.
“You're wrong.”
“Am I?”
Ravenna crossed her arms.
“Even Liam doesn't defend you anymore.”
That was too much.
“Stop talking about him.”
“Why?
Because it's true?
Because he's finally seeing who you are?
A broken wolf?
A useless wife?
A Luna who never existed?”
Selene grabbed Ravenna's arm.
Hard.
Not to hurt her.
Only to make her stop.
But in that instant...
Ravenna smiled.
And Selene realized far too late.
“Liam!”
Her voice was filled with feigned surprise.
Ravenna let herself fall to the ground.
Perfectly calculated.
Exactly as Liam appeared in the garden.
The Alpha rushed toward them.
“What happened?”
Ravenna brought a hand to her arm.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I was only trying to help her...”
Selene was speechless.
It was absurd.
“Liam, she's lying.”
“Selene...”
“She provokes me every day.
Every day!”
Ravenna lowered her head.
Like a victim.
“I would never do that.”
Liam looked at one of them.
Then the other.
Doubt appeared.
Small.
But it appeared.
And Selene saw it.
Something inside her broke.
“You believe her?”
The question came out in a whisper.
Liam ran a hand over his face.
Tired.
Confused.
“I just think maybe there's been a misunderstanding.”
Selene felt the ground vanish beneath her feet.
A misunderstanding.
Was that all it was?
After everything?
After two years?
She let out a bitter laugh.
Small.
Painful.
“Of course.”
Ravenna watched everything in silence.
Winning.
“Selene...”
But she didn't want to listen.
She turned.
And walked away.
The forest was silent.
Dark.
Cold.
Selene walked without a destination.
Tears streamed down her face without her noticing.
For the first time since she had arrived in Ferrum...
She felt completely alone.
Then the pain came.
Violent.
Her entire body burned.
She fell to her knees.
Her breath caught.
Her hands trembled.
And then she heard that voice.
Stronger than ever.
“Selene.”
She closed her eyes.
“Ailyn...”
“I'm here.”
The voice sounded worried.
Almost desperate.
“I can't take it anymore.”
“You can.”
“They don't believe me.”
“I believe you.”
Tears streamed down Selene's face.
“I'm tired.”
“I know.”
“It hurts.”
“I know.”
The presence drew closer.
For the first time.
As if it were trying to envelop her.
To protect her.
“Why is this happening?”
Long seconds passed.
Then Ailyn answered:
“Because they're trying to break you before your awakening.”
Selene's eyes flew open.
“My awakening?”
But the presence was already fading.
Growing distant.
Weak.
Before disappearing completely, Ailyn left her with one final sentence.
A sentence that sent a shiver through Selene's entire body.
“Hold on a little longer.
The Moon isn't finished with you yet.”