Selene awoke to darkness and cold stone. Her wrists burned with a steady, relentless agony. Chains bit into her body. She could not recollect her name. She could not recall where she was. All she knew was an echo in her mind: "Killian."A
nameless fear seized her. Every heartbeat hammered like a drum in her ears. The area around her was filled with silence and mystery.
A door creaked in the distance. Footsteps approached, heavy and measured.
A rough, humourless voice penetrated the silence: "She's still alive?" Another voice murmured, "She won't be for long." The words chilled her yet ignited a unique drive within her.
Selene pressed herself into the dark corner, her eyes flashing with confusion.
Her mind filled with questions. Why did the name "Killian" burn within her chest? Who was this person, and why did she feel drawn to him? A darkness settled over her chamber. A guy came from the shadows.
He sat close her, face shrouded in the darkness. "You're not supposed to be breathing, girl," he said. His tone was icy and indifferent. He fumbled for a blade that glinted in the weak light.
Fear surged throughout Selene's veins. Without a thought, she leaped at him. The chains whipped her as she pushed against her restraints. Her elbow slammed his jaw with strength. He stumbled back, mumbling under his breath.
A rush of enthusiasm propelled her ahead. She twisted and strained, each movement a fight against misery. Metal bit into her body as she pushed with all her force. The shackles shattered with a startling, loud bang.
She bolted from her cell. The room broke in tumult behind her. Footsteps, yelling, and confused noise filled the air as she ran. Her thoughts were a web of confusion. Yet the melody of "Killian" propelled her onwards.
She did not look back, moved by a tremendous impulse to run. A chilly wind touched her as she moved into the corridor. Shadows danced on the walls. Each step led her closer to unknown dangers—and to him.
At that moment, a spark of resolution erupted in her eyes. Her journey had began. But she did not know what awaited her beyond those dark tunnels. Selene's bare feet banged against the stone floor.
Her breath came in rapid, hard gasps. The screams behind her became louder. She reached a corridor separating in two directions. Her mind spun—left or right? She had no time to decide.
Heavy footsteps banged behind her. A deep voice screamed, "Find her! Don't let her escape!" Panic gripped at her chest. She hurried to the left, her instincts screaming at her to leave.
The corridor narrowed, candles flashing over damp stone. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. A door appeared ahead, slightly ajar. She pulled it open, going inside.
Cold air hit her as she lurched onwards. The perfume of pine and wet earth overwhelmed her lungs. She was outside. The sky above spread indefinitely, dark and huge.
Her body trembled, but she could not stop. The name in her head—Killian—throbbed like a second heartbeat. She had to find him. Behind her, guards pushed from the doorway.
Their eyes fixated upon her. "There she is!" She turned and ran. Her legs burned, muscles screaming, but she pressed on. The towering woods ahead gave sanctuary.
Branches scraped at her body as she dived into the dark forest. The cries faded behind her, but she knew they were still pursuing. Selene moved ahead, dodging between trees.
Her breath misted in the chilly night air. Every rustling leaf fired a jolt of fear through her. Her foot caught on a root. She tumbled forward, smacking the ground hard.
Pain shot through her hands as she caught herself. She lay peacefully, her body flattened against the damp soil. The forest was disturbingly calm. Had she lost them?
Her lungs heaved as she struggled to listen. Then—a snap. A branch breaking nearby. Selene's heart pounded. She pulled herself up, scanning the darkness.
Someone was watching. The quiet stretched, thick and suffocating. Then, from the darkness, a voice. Low. Dangerous. "Who are you?"
Her breath lingered for a minute. The presence was enormous, overpowering. It drove a shudder up her spine.
A man walked into the moonlight. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a fierce look that drove into her like a predator scouting his prey.
"Killian?" she whispered, the name flowing out of her lips. The man's countenance hardened, his jaw stiffening.
"How do you know my name?" he growled. The last thing Selene saw was his golden eyes blazing in the moonlight.
Then, blackness seized her. Selene's body refused to move. Her mind was sinking, darkening, but she fought herself to remain aware.
A tremendous boom raced across the air. Not human. Not exactly. Killian took a cautious step closer to her.
His golden gaze heated, probing and scrutinizing. "Answer me. Now." Selene's lips opened, but no words emerged.
The weight of his glare stopped her in place. Another figure emerged from the woods, gliding with deadly elegance.
A warrior, equally as deadly. "Alpha, should we take her in?". The comment shot a shudder through her.
Killian's expression didn't alter. His gaze never left her. "Who are you?" Selene swallowed hard.
She had no response, no memory of who she was. Her hands curled into fists, her body shivering.
"I don't remember," she muttered. "I don't know who I am." Killian's gaze heated, his stance shifting.
His wolf twitched under his skin, responding to something. The warrior near him stiffened. "She's lying."
Selene shook her head, horror rushing in. "I'm not! I just—" Killian moved too soon.
His hand closed around her neck, forcing her into a tree. Her pulse pounded. Not from fear, but something deeper.
Something primeval. His hand wasn't crushing, but it emanated power. "Why do you know my name?"
His voice was a growl, a threat. Selene's breath came in shaky gasps. "I don't know," she said.
"But I think… I guess you're the only one who can tell me." Then Killian leaned closer, his breath warm on her skin.
His scent—something dark, something intoxicating—wrapped about her. "You're not supposed to be alive," he whispered.
Selene's breath ceased. The world whirled around her, but all she could concentrate on was Killian's words. You're not meant to be alive.
Her pulse surged in her ears. "What… what do you mean?" Killian's fingers tensed, his lips stretching.
His golden eyes narrowed, a wrath building inside them. The warrior next to him twitched uneasily.
"Alpha, if she's—" Killian cut him off with a glance. Then, almost as fast as he had gripped her, he let go.
Selene's legs wobbled, but she caught herself before she could collapse. "I don't believe in ghosts," Killian whispered.
"And I don't believe in coincidences." Selene lifted a palm to her neck where his fingers had been.
"I'm not a ghost." His eyes gleamed with something unfathomable. "Then prove it."
Before she could enquire how, the warrior leaped forward and snatched her wrists. Cold metal cracked around them.
Shackles. Panic raced through her. "Wait—what are you doing?" Killian cocked his head, his face unfazed.
"You showed up at my border, half-dead, whispering my name. You say you don't remember who you are, but you know me."
His lips twisted in something that wasn't quite a frown. "That makes you either a spy… or something much worse."
Selene strained, but the cuffs wouldn't budge. "I'm not a spy," she said, feeling a surge of desperation.
Killian's expression remained chilly. "We'll find out soon enough." The warrior pulled her forward.
Selene buried her heels into the dirt. "No! Please—" Killian turned away, his face unyielding.
"Take her to the dungeons." Selene's heart hammered into her ribs. This wasn't how it was meant to go.
She had come searching for answers, seeking the truth. Instead, she was being pulled into darkness.
She pushed against the warrior's embrace, terror tugging at her chest. "Killian—please! You have to trust me!"
He didn't glance back. The last thing Selene saw as the forests faded behind her was the Alpha King.H
e stood immobile, his golden glare penetrating her soul. And suddenly the doors of her cage slammed shut.