Selene's POV
The candlelight flickered across the apothecary shelves, painting soft shadows on the stone walls. The night had been long and restless since Astra's visit. Every time Selene closed her eyes, she could still see that strange woman's gaze, those eyes that glowed with starlight and mystery, as if they belonged to the moon itself.
Elara moved quietly about the room, grinding dried petals into a bowl. "You have not slept," she said, her voice calm yet watchful.
Selene looked toward the window where moonlight streamed through the curtains. "How can I, after what she said? Astra's warning was not just words. I felt it… as if she was speaking to my very soul."
Elara sighed, setting the bowl aside. "You know the Veilborn see beyond this world. Her kind rarely appears unless something great is about to change."
Selene pressed her palms together, her fingers trembling slightly. "And yet she said our love would ignite the downfall of both races."
At that, Flora stepped closer from the corner of the room. She had been quiet since Astra's visit, her young face pale and uncertain. "Is it true?" Flora asked softly. "Are you and the Alpha meant to destroy us all?"
Selene's lips parted, but her voice came out faint. "No, Flora. I do not believe destiny is that cruel. But I cannot deny that something ties me to him. I feel it when he is near. I feel it even now."
Elara watched her in silence, a knowing look in her eyes. "The Moon Goddess does not bind hearts without reason. Whatever this is, you must uncover the truth."
Flora hesitated, fidgeting with her hands. "Selene… Astra said something about bloodlines. She said your power carries something ancient. What did she mean?"
Selene took a deep breath. For a long moment, she said nothing. The silence was heavy until finally, she turned to Flora, her eyes glistening in the candlelight. "I have not told you everything about me."
Elara's gaze shifted toward her, curious and concerned.
"My parents were not ordinary," Selene continued softly. "I was born to a warlock and a witch— ancient ones — who died during the great war between witches, werewolves and the Shadow Court. I was barely twelve, a witch and wizard couple found me near the battlefield. They took me in, raised me as their own and loved me more than I could ever describe. When i was fifteen, they had their first child, a cute baby girl who was named Elara. We all live happily here in valeheart since no one know who we were and Elara parent never perform magic and nobody suspected us, Elara's father is good with herbs, he do help the villagers and i learned from him. But when I was eighteen and Elara is three, they went to the palace farm in search for some herbs, unfortunately an earthquake struck the palace farm. The ground opened and the earth swallowed them. Since that day, Have been living alone and taking care of my sister Elara. And i promised to never stop caring for her and everyone around me." Flora looked shocked and say " So you are an moonborn ancient witch?"
Selene nodded her head slowly. "Yes, Flora. I am. I am a true witch, born under a cursed moon. My bloodline carries power that many believe should have died with the war. But somehow, I survived."
Elara moved closer and touched her arm gently. "And that is why Astra came. She knows the prophecy is awakening again."
Selene turned toward the window, her eyes fixed on the moon that now glowed faintly silver-blue. "The prophecy," she murmured. "The Moonlit Prophecy."
Elara nodded gravely. "The one that speaks of a bond between light and shadow, between witch and wolf. It says that when the two unite, the world will either heal… or burn."
The words chilled the air. Flora looked from one to the other. "Then you must be careful. If Astra's test comes, you must face it with courage."
Selene felt the moon's pull, that soft voice calling her name beyond the glass. She turned, reaching for her cloak. "I cannot run from this. I have to find Lucian. If the prophecy is real, he deserves to know the truth."
Elara's brow furrowed. "Then I am coming with you."
Selene smiled faintly. "No, Elara. Stay here with Flora. Protect her if anything happens."
Elara hesitated but finally nodded. "Then go, sister. And may the moon guide you."
Selene stepped out into the cold night, her heart trembling as she followed the path toward the forest where the moon shone the brightest.
************
Lucian's POV
The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the training hall, reflecting off the polished swords and armor that hung from the walls. Lucian stood at the center, his chest heaving as he swung his blade with measured precision. Darius stood opposite him, blocking and striking with equal strength.
"You are distracted," Darius said with a smirk, catching Lucian's sword and twisting it away with ease.
Lucian grunted, stepping back. "I am not distracted."
"Then why did you call me Selene twice during sparring?"
Lucian froze.
From the doorway, Lyra burst into laughter. "Oh, brother. Even I can see you are lovesick."
He shot her a look, his jaw tightening. "Enough, Lyra."
But she only grinned wider. "So it is true then. The witch has stolen your heart."
Lucian turned away, sheathing his sword. "She is not just a witch."
Darius exchanged a look with Lyra, surprised at the depth in his tone. "Then what is she, Lucian? Is she your true mate?"
He took a deep breath. "She is the reason I am alive. The reason I can still stand here."
Darius clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Then perhaps it is time you stop fighting what your heart already knows."
Lucian did not answer. His gaze shifted toward the window, where the forest loomed beyond the hills. The moon's faint light lingered in his memory, calling him.
Later that evening, as dusk fell again, Lucian found himself drawn to the stream at the forest's edge. The air shimmered faintly, and he felt her before he saw her.
Selene stood there, her cloak fluttering in the wind, her eyes bright beneath the fading light.
"You came," she said softly.
"I could not stay away," he admitted. "Every time I close my eyes, I see you."
She smiled faintly. "Then perhaps the moon has already decided our path."
Before he could answer, the air around them shifted. The forest fell silent. The stream stilled.
A silver mist began to rise from the ground. Astra's voice echoed faintly in the air.
"Two souls bound by the moon. One light, one shadow. To love is to destroy, to trust is to endure. Show me what your hearts are made of."
Lucian reached for Selene, but their surroundings vanished in a blinding glow.
They stood now in a mirrored realm, the forest transformed into a world of silver glass and floating lights. Lucian could see his reflection, but it moved differently from him. In that reflection, he saw himself holding Selene… only to watch her fade into ash.
"Lucian!" Selene's voice echoed across the realm, filled with fear. "Do not believe what you see!"
He tried to run to her, but the ground rippled beneath his feet. Dark vines shot up, binding his arms. "Selene!"
Astra's voice boomed again. "Will you sacrifice your freedom to save her? Or will you save yourself and let the prophecy die?"
Lucian's heart pounded. He could see her struggling, her magic flickering like firelight against the vines that tried to consume her. Without hesitation, he roared, tearing against the bindings. The vines sliced into his flesh, but he broke through and ran to her.
He pulled her into his arms, their light merging into one brilliant glow.
Astra's laughter echoed faintly. "So the wolf chooses love. Let us see if it can save him."
The realm shattered. The silver light faded. Lucian and Selene collapsed beside the stream, gasping.
Their hands were still entwined.
Selene's voice trembled. "You risked everything for me."
Lucian smiled faintly, brushing a leaf from her hair. "I would risk the world."
She looked into his eyes, her heart racing. "Then perhaps… the prophecy has already begun."