Chapter 5 The Alpha's Terms

Selene could feel the weight of their stares long after the murmurs had died down. The pack had not fully accepted her, but at least they hadn't turned on her either. That was a victory however small.

Her pulse was still racing as she followed Killian and Marcus out of the hall. The further they walked, the more she became aware of the man beside her-the sheer dominance in the way he moved, the effortless authority in his stride. The pack instinctively parted for him, their heads lowering in respect.

She wasn't used to that.

"You handled that well," Killian finally said, glancing at her.

Selene let out a humorless laugh. "I didn't have a choice, did I?"

Killian smirked. "No. But you made them listen. That's more than most could have done."

Marcus, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Not all of them will be convinced. Some still think you're a threat."

Selene's stomach twisted. "Because of Damien?"

Marcus nodded. "Because of the pup. Because you were his Luna. Because if he comes for you, we'll be the ones fighting that war."

Selene sucked in a breath. She hadn't allowed herself to think that far ahead, but the truth was inescapable. Damien wasn't the type to let go of something he believed was his.

And that meant she and her child would never be safe.

Killian studied her, his golden eyes flickering with something she couldn't quite name. "You want to survive, Selene?"

She frowned, the weight of his gaze making it impossible to look away. "Obviously."

"Then stop thinking like a rogue. Start thinking like a warrior."

Selene's brows knitted together. "What are you saying?"

Killian stepped closer, his presence towering over her, and suddenly, the air between them felt charged. "I'm saying that being under my protection isn't enough. If you want to truly be safe, you need to be strong enough to defend yourself. You need to become one of us."

Her stomach clenched. "You want me to train?"

Killian didn't blink. "Yes. And not just train. Fight. Prove to my pack that you're not a burden. That you're not just a woman carrying another Alpha's child, but someone worth standing beside."

Selene's breath caught.

She had spent her life being controlled, caged, forced into submission. And now?

Now an Alpha was asking her to fight.

To stand.

To become something more than a discarded Luna.

She swallowed hard, staring at Killian. "You really think they'll ever see me as one of them?"

Killian's smirk was slow, deliberate. "That depends. Are you willing to spill a little blood to make it happen?"

A shiver ran down her spine.

Because the answer was yes.

And it terrified her.

>>>>

Selene woke before dawn, the weight of Killian's words still heavy on her mind.

Her body ached from exhaustion yesterday had drained her more than she'd realized but she forced herself up, stepping outside into the crisp morning air.

The training grounds were already alive with movement. Warriors sparred, growls and the clash of fists echoing through the open space. The scent of sweat and earth filled the air, mingling with the distant scent of pine from the surrounding forest.

Selene's stomach twisted.

She had never been trained. Never been allowed to.

Damien had always told her she didn't need to fight because she was his. Because he was strong enough for both of them.

A lie.

A cruel, binding lie that had left her defenseless when she needed to escape.

But not anymore.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

Killian was already there, watching the training session with arms crossed over his broad chest. He turned when he sensed her approach, his gaze sweeping over her.

"You're early."

Selene lifted her chin. "I want to start."

Killian's lips curled slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. "Good." He nodded toward the warriors. "Then get in there."

She stiffened. "Just like that?"

"Just like that."

Selene hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward.

The warriors stopped, their gazes snapping toward her. A few murmurs broke out.

Marcus stepped up beside Killian, his expression filled with amusement. "They're not going to go easy on her."

"I don't expect them to," Killian murmured, his golden eyes never leaving Selene.

She was about to learn what it meant to fight.

And Killian would be watching every second of it.

>>

Selene barely had time to register what was happening before a dark-haired warrior stepped in front of her. His sharp green eyes assessed her, unimpressed.

"You really think you belong here?" His voice was laced with doubt.

Selene's muscles tensed. "Why don't we find out?"

A few warriors chuckled. But the moment the man lunged at her, the laughter stopped.

Selene barely dodged in time, her body moving on instinct.

Too slow.

The warrior's fist clipped her shoulder, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her. She stumbled but didn't fall.

She wasn't going to fall.

Not again.

Gritting her teeth, she shifted her stance, focusing on his movements. The next time he swung, she saw it coming.

This time, she ducked fast, precise.

And then she struck.

Her fist connected with his ribs. Not enough to do damage, but enough to make him stumble back in surprise.

A murmur rippled through the warriors.

Selene didn't let herself hesitate.

She launched forward, her instincts sharper now, her body remembering every time she had been beaten down, every time she had been forced to kneel.

Never again.

The fight lasted only minutes.

But when the warrior finally stopped, stepping back with a new gleam of respect in his eyes, Selene knew.

She had taken her first step.

Killian watched from the edge of the field, his golden eyes unreadable.

Selene met his gaze, chest heaving.

For the first time, she didn't feel like a victim.

For the first time, she felt like she belonged.

And Killian?

He looked at her like he had known she was capable of this all along.