From His Luna to His Rival's Mate

Chapter 4

SELENE

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a soft silvery light over the east hill. My heart pounded hard as I climbed the narrow stone path toward the old observatory.

The cool night air brushed against my skin, carrying the fresh scent of pine trees and damp earth after the rain, my sneakers crunched softly on the gravel with every step.

I had changed into a simple black hoodie and jeans after my last class, but my mind would not stop racing, every time I blinked, I saw the warehouse again, the ropes cutting into my wrists, the blade slicing my skin, my blood pooling on the dirty floor.

I felt that tiny spark of life inside me slowly fade away. The memory hurt so much, but it also pushed me forward. I needed an ally, someone who could help me break free from Calder before he trapped me again.

The old observatory finally came into view, a round stone building with cracked windows and a domed roof that looked like it had been forgotten for years. Vines climbed up the walls and a single warm light glowed inside, Kael was already there.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy wooden door. It creaked loudly in the quiet night. Kael stood near the center of the room, leaning against an old wooden table with his arms crossed over his chest.

He wore a dark shirt that hugged his broad shoulders and black pants, his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and those sharp eyes watched me with the same mix of arrogance and suspicion I remembered from our university days.

“You actually came,” he said, his voice low and smooth. He didn’t smile. “I half expected you to chicken out, runner-up.”

I closed the door behind me and stepped closer. The room smelled like dust and old books. Moonlight streamed through the broken windows, painting silver stripes across the floor.

“I’m not here to fight with you, Kael,” I said softly. “Not anymore.”

He raised one eyebrow. His fingers tapped once against his arm. “Oh? Then why are you here? For years we’ve been trying to beat each other. You always came in second. Now suddenly you want peace?”

I moved closer until only a few feet separated us. I looked straight into his dark eyes, those intense eyes that always seemed to see right through me.

“I want us to be friends,” I told him. “No more rivals, no more competing. I’m tired of it, Kael. Life is too short for all that hate.”

Kael let out a short, dry laugh. He pushed off the table and took one step toward me. He was so tall I had to tilt my head back to keep looking at him.

“Friends? With you?” He shook his head slowly. “Nice try, Selene. But I don’t buy it. You’ve never been the type to wave a white flag. What’s the real reason? Did Vance reject you after that big slap show and now you need a new target?”

His words stung, but I kept my face calm. I remembered how he had appeared in the warehouse right before I died, that strange look in his eyes, there had been something softer than rivalry. I had to believe it was still there.

“I’m serious,” I said, my voice firmer. “I don’t want to fight you anymore. We used to push each other so hard in classes, and yeah, I hated losing to you every single time. But things have changed for me. I see everything differently now. I just… I want a fresh start with you.”

Kael studied my face carefully. His eyes narrowed. He uncrossed his arms and rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little uneasy.

“A fresh start,” he repeated, like he was tasting the words. “You publicly humiliate the Alpha of Nightshade Pack, and now you suddenly want to be buddies with your old enemy? That doesn’t add up. What game are you playing, Selene?”

I felt frustration bubbling up inside me, but I pushed it down. I couldn’t lose my temper.

“It’s not a game,” I said, offering him a small, determined smile. “I know it sounds sudden, but I really mean it. Give me a chance to prove it. We don’t have to become best friends overnight. Just… stop being rivals. That’s all I’m asking right now.”

Kael stared at me for a long moment, the silence stretched between us.

He finally shook his head. “No. I don’t trust easy words, especially not from you. Go back to your perfect little life and leave me out of whatever mess you’re in with Vance.”

He turned like he was going to leave and my hand shot out before I could think and grabbed his wrist, his skin felt warm under my fingers.

He stopped and looked down at my hand, then back up at my face, surprise flashed across his expression for a second.

“I won’t give up,” I said quietly, but with steel in my voice. “You can refuse me tonight, but I’m not stopping. I’ll keep trying until you believe me. Because I’m done with the old Selene, the one who chased things that only hurt her. I want something real this time. I need something real.”

Kael’s jaw tightened and he gently pulled his wrist free, but he didn’t step away. His dark eyes searched mine, deeper this time, like he was trying to read every secret I was hiding.

“You’re stubborn,” he said. “I’ll give you that. But stubbornness won’t make me trust you overnight.” His voice dropped lower, almost a warning. “Be careful what you start, Selene. Some doors are better left closed.”

He walked past me toward the door. His footsteps echoed softly in the quiet room. At the threshold, he paused and glanced back at me one last time.

“Don’t follow me tonight.”

Then he was gone. I stood there alone in the moonlit observatory, my heart still racing. I leaned against the old wooden table and let out a long, shaky breath, he had refused me, just like I expected, but I had planted a seed.

I wasn’t going to stop now.

I stayed there for a while, staring out through the cracked windows at the glowing moon, the cool night air brushed against my face and I felt a small spark of real hope. Kael was different.

He had always been different, even when we were rivals, he never treated me like I was invisible, and in my first life, he had shown up at the warehouse when no one else did.

I didn’t know what that meant yet, but I was going to find out. I finally left the observatory and walked back down the hill toward the dorms. The path felt longer in the dark, but my steps were lighter than they had been in a long time.

My mind kept replaying our conversation, the way his eyes had searched mine, the surprise when I grabbed his wrist, the warning in his voice.

He didn’t trust me yet and that was okay. I had time to make him trust me.

And I wasn’t the weak, lovesick girl I used to be, this time, I would fight for the life I wanted. Even if it meant chasing the one person who used to drive me crazy.