The days that followed were the hardest since Selene had arrived in Ferrum.
The distance between her and Liam continued to grow.
Not because they had stopped loving each other.
But because they could no longer meet halfway.
Whenever Selene tried to explain how she felt, Liam seemed too tired to listen.
Whenever Liam tried to get closer, Selene was too hurt to believe him.
And Ravenna remained there.
Like a shadow.
Like a slow poison.
Waiting.
Watching.
Winning.
That morning, Ferrum was preparing to receive representatives from three allied packs. The fortress corridors were bustling. Servants carried trays, guards reinforced security, and the elders seemed particularly excited.
There would be a public assembly.
A meeting where leaders, warriors, and advisers would discuss the future of the packs in the face of Falgor's growing threat.
Selene didn't want to attend.
But as the Alpha's wife, her presence was mandatory.
Shortly before the meeting, she found Ravenna in the main corridor.
The woman was walking with two servants, wearing a black dress embroidered in silver that drew attention wherever she went.
When she spotted Selene, she dismissed the servants with a gesture.
"Come to watch your own downfall?"
Selene didn't even slow her steps.
"Do you really have nothing better to do?"
"I do."
Ravenna smiled.
"I'm securing Ferrum's future."
Selene stopped.
She turned slowly.
"You talk as if you're already Luna."
"And you talk as if you still are."
The blow landed perfectly.
Selene felt the pain.
But she didn't give Ravenna the satisfaction of showing it.
"Did Liam choose you?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Ravenna's eyes gleamed.
"Not yet."
That one word was enough to make Selene's heart clench.
"But he's beginning to see reality."
"Don't speak for him."
"I don't need to."
The facts speak for themselves.
Ravenna stepped closer.
Her voice became a venomous whisper.
"When was the last time he chose you?"
Selene stood motionless.
"When was the last time he defended you?"
Silence.
"When was the last time he stood by your side before the council?"
The words pierced like blades.
Because they were based on painful truths.
Ravenna smiled.
"Exactly."
And she walked away.
The assembly began at noon.
The great hall was packed.
Alphas.
Betas.
Advisers.
Warriors.
Representatives from neighboring packs.
Everyone gathered beneath Ferrum's enormous symbol carved into the main wall.
Liam occupied the central seat.
Selene sat to his right.
Ravenna to his left.
The simple arrangement of the seats already felt like a provocation.
For nearly an hour, they discussed military strategies.
Trade routes.
Patrols.
Border defenses.
Then the subject changed.
Succession.
Stability.
The future.
And Selene felt her stomach sink.
One of the elders rose.
"Difficult times demand strong leadership."
Several advisers agreed.
"Ferrum needs to be prepared for any scenario."
"Including the continuation of the Alpha bloodline."
Selene felt every eye turn toward her.
The hall grew heavy.
Silent.
Then another adviser spoke:
"The Luna's mark still hasn't appeared."
Her heart began to race.
"Two years is a long time."
"We've never seen anything like it."
"Maybe it's a sign."
Selene lowered her eyes.
Liam remained motionless.
Silent.
And that hurt more than any words could have.
Then Ravenna spoke.
With that calm voice.
Controlled.
Perfect.
"I don't believe this is the time for judgment."
Selene raised her head.
For a moment, she almost believed Ravenna was defending her.
But then the blow came.
"Lady Selene deserves respect."
After all, no one chooses the limitations they're born with.
The entire hall fell silent.
The sentence sounded gentle.
But it was cruel.
Because it reinforced exactly what everyone was thinking.
That Selene was limited.
That she was insufficient.
That she was defective.
And no one objected.
No one.
Not even Liam.
The meeting ended hours later.
Selene left before everyone else.
She needed to breathe.
She needed to escape.
She needed to be alone.
The cold wind struck her face as soon as she left the fortress.
She walked to the old training arena.
Empty.
Silent.
And finally allowed the tears to fall.
For years, she had believed Liam's love would be enough.
Now she wasn't so sure.
"They're wrong."
Ailyn's voice emerged softly.
Selene closed her eyes.
"I want to believe that."
"Then believe it."
"How?"
Ailyn fell silent for a few seconds.
"Because I exist."
Selene's heart raced.
The presence seemed stronger.
Closer.
More alive.
"What are you?"
Ailyn didn't answer immediately.
"I can't tell you yet."
"Why?"
"Because your body still wouldn't be able to withstand the truth."
A wave of heat swept through Selene's chest.
The same sensation that had been growing over the past few days.
"I'm scared."
"I know."
"What if they're right?"
"They're not."
"What if I'm really not enough?"
The answer came immediately.
Firm.
Powerful.
Different from anything Ailyn had ever said.
"You are more than they can comprehend."
The air around her seemed to vibrate.
For a moment.
Just a moment.
Selene's eyes gleamed silver.
Then vanished again.
That night, Liam entered their chambers long after midnight.
He found Selene sitting by the window.
Staring at the moon.
"You left the meeting early."
"Yes."
"I wanted to talk."
She let out a small, humorless laugh.
"About what?"
Liam frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Selene finally looked at him.
There was pain in her eyes.
So much pain.
"They humiliated me in front of everyone today."
"Selene..."
"And you just sat there."
Liam looked away.
That was already an answer.
"I was trying to avoid a conflict."
"And you succeeded."
Her voice trembled.
"Because I was the one who paid the price."
Silence fell between them.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Almost unbearable.
Liam took a step toward her.
But Selene stepped back.
And that simple movement made something tighten inside his chest.
For the first time.
For the first time since she had arrived in Ferrum.
Liam felt afraid.
Afraid that she was beginning to give up.
And for the first time, the thought terrified him.
Because while Selene stared at the moon through the window...
A decision was beginning to take shape inside her.
Small.
Fragile.
But increasingly impossible to ignore.
Maybe there were wounds that not even love could heal.