From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Darkness pressed in like a living thing, thick and suffocating. Selene’s wrists burned where the rough ropes dug into her skin, cutting off blood flow until her fingers tingled with numbness. Her ankles were bound just as tightly, forcing her body into an awkward, vulnerable sprawl on the cold concrete floor of what smelled like an abandoned warehouse. Every shallow breath sent spikes of pain through her ribs, her head throbbed from the blow that had knocked her unconscious earlier, but the worst pain wasn’t physical. She remembered the moment it all went wrong, earlier that evening, the Nightshade Pack grounds had been transformed into a scene of pure celebration. Lanterns glowed between the trees, tables overflowed with food and wine, music and joyful howls filled the night air, the entire pack had gathered to welcome Elara home. Elara, Calder’s beloved sister, had been kidnapped three days ago. But tonight, she had been safely returned. Calder had spared no expense for the grand welcome party, he wanted everyone to celebrate his sister’s safe return. Selene had been at the party too, quietly watching from the side in her simple silver gown, one hand resting protectively on her belly. She was three months pregnant with Calder’s child, but she hadn’t found the right moment to tell him yet. Then, while everyone was laughing and drinking, she had stepped away from the crowd for a moment of quiet. And before she had realized what was happening she felt something being pressed against her nose, and that was how they took her. Now, in this dark warehouse, a rogue werewolf crouched in front of her, spinning a blade in his hand. “Your husband refused to pay the ten million ransom,” the rogue sneered. “He said his sister was worth more. So he made us a better offer... you. We return Elara, and we get to keep you.” Selene’s chest tightened painfully, while the pack threw a lavish party to celebrate Elara’s return, she... the Luna, his wife, carrying his unborn child, had been traded away like a piece of meat. A bitter, broken laugh escaped her lips, eight years of marriage, eight years of loving a man who never truly chose her. Eight years of hoping her devotion would one day warm his cold heart, all of it was a joke. Selene’s throat worked, but no sound came out at first. When it did, it was a broken whisper. “Why…?” The rogue laughed, a harsh bark. “Your precious Alpha refused to pay, said his sister was worth more than some replaceable wife.” He leaned closer, breath hot and foul. “But don’t worry. We’ll send you back in nice, neat pieces. Maybe he’ll regret it then.” Selene closed her eyes, tears slipping free despite her efforts, eight years, she had loved Calder Vance since the night she first saw him. She had given him everything: her body, her loyalty, her future. She had endured his distance, his late nights, the way he looked through her as if she were furniture. She had convinced herself that one day he would see her, that love could thaw even the coldest Alpha. What a pathetic joke, her wolf whimpered inside her chest, weak and grieving, the bond that had once felt like a fragile thread of hope now felt like chains. The rogue’s phone rang, shrill in the silence, he answered on speaker. A familiar voice crackled through... Calder’s, clipped and authoritative. “Ten million is a lot of money. Do whatever you want with her, I don't have such money to spend on a useless wife." The line went dead and something inside Selene shattered completely. “Eight years,” she whispered to the empty air, voice cracking. “Eight years of warming your bed, standing silently at your side, pretending your indifference didn’t carve pieces out of me every single day. I carried your child and never asked for more than a kind word, and this… this is how you choose?” The rogue tilted his head, amused. “Talking to yourself? Cute.” He pressed the blade to her thigh, the first cut was experimental... shallow, slicing through fabric and skin, fire exploded up her leg. Selene gasped, biting her lip until it bled. The second cut went deeper, carving muscle. Blood welled hot and sticky. She screamed then, unable to hold it back. The pain was blinding, white-hot, radiating through her entire body. Her arms were next, the rogue worked methodically, sawing through flesh and tendon. Each stroke sent fresh waves of agony crashing over her. She thrashed against the ropes, but they only bit deeper, tears streamed down her face, mixing with sweat and blood. Through the haze, her gaze fell to her abdomen. The small, precious life growing there... innocent and unwanted by its father. “I’m sorry,” she whispered brokenly to the child she would never hold. “Mommy tried… I thought love would be enough.” Hatred surged, hot and pure, burning away the last fragments of her old devotion. If she had another chance... if the Moon Goddess granted her rebirth, she would never be this weak again. She would never love a man who saw her as disposable. She would protect herself, her future, and destroy anyone who tried to break her, the rogue raised the blade for a killing strike, aiming for her throat. But a loud bang echoed from the warehouse entrance and the door slammed open and heavy footsteps approached. Selene’s fading vision caught a tall, imposing silhouette against the dim light, broad shoulders, sharp jawline, eyes that burned with something fierce and unreadable. Kael Voss. Her academic nemesis from university days, the arrogant, brilliant wolf who had always ranked first while she fought for second. The one who mocked her efforts with that signature smirk, who challenged her in every debate and left her seething with frustration, after her marriage, their paths had never crossed again. Why was he here now, of all moments? Kael’s gaze locked onto hers for a heartbeat. Surprise flickered, then something darker... rage? Recognition? Tenderness? It was gone too fast to name. The rogue spun, blade raised. “Who the hell...?” But Selene’s world was already narrowing as pain consumed her, the child inside her stilled forever as darkness swallowed everything. Yet death was not the end. Selene gasped, lungs filling with warm, steamy air scented with expensive soap, musk, and something distinctly male. Her body felt… whole, no ropes, no blood, no searing agony in her limbs. She blinked rapidly, disoriented, she was in a luxurious hotel suite. Marble floors gleamed under soft lighting, steam curled from a massive sunken bathtub, and sitting in that tub, water lapping at his chiseled chest, was Calder Vance... shirtless, silver-gray eyes hazy with desire and the haze of alcohol. His dark hair was damp, droplets tracing paths down the hard planes of his abdomen. Selene looked down at herself in horror, she wore nothing but a black lace lingerie, barely-there pieces that clung to her curves, designed for seduction. Her pose was provocative: one leg draped over the tub’s edge, hand trailing through the water, body arched invitingly toward him. This night, the very beginning of her past mistakes. Seven years earlier, she had been a university student, foolishly infatuated, desperate for Calder’s attention. She had planned a one-night seduction, believing it would spark something real. Instead, it had led to them being caught, a forced marriage, and eight years of emotional starvation. Not this time, her heart slammed against her ribs. Memories of the warehouse, of the blade, the betrayal, her dying child... crashed over her like a tidal wave. Fresh grief twisted in her gut, but beneath it burned cold determination. She was reborn, she had another chance. Selene snatched a thick white bathrobe from the floor and yanked it around her body, stumbling backward on shaky legs, the movement sent water splashing. Calder’s hand shot out, strong fingers wrapping around her wrist. His touch was warm and electric... the same touch that had once made her melt, now it felt like chains. “You were so enthusiastic a few minutes ago,” he drawled, voice low and rough with lust, a dangerous smile curved on his lips. “Throwing yourself at an Alpha in heat, practically begging. Now you suddenly want to run? Take responsibility, little wolf.” He rose from the water like a god emerging from the depths, towering over her. Droplets slid down his sculpted body. He reached for her waist, clearly intending to pull her close and carry her to the massive bed visible through the open bathroom door. Selene’s palm cracked across his cheek in a sharp, resounding slap, the sound echoed off the marble and Calder froze, stunned. No one had ever dared strike the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. Selene didn’t hesitate, she wrenched her wrist free, heart pounding with a mix of terror and triumph, and bolted for the door, she had to escape, she had to rewrite her life.