XXIII

Selene found herself in the living room of the pack house, like she was teleported there. She knew it was Maximus's instinct to shield her from further scrutiny coming from the rest of the High Order. After all, they remained four now.

At first, Selene didn't really comprehend what happened. She was too focused on coming back to reality to even try to stop Maximus. However, Gen told her that after mates find each other, they tend to be very possessive and mark one another in the same day. Initially, she thought Maximus didn't want her, but then she understood it was his way of expressing his love for her, by giving her time to adjust to a totally new lifestyle. Gen said that for Alphas was even harder to keep themselves from claiming their beloved. But this idea of 'claiming' didn't sit well with her. She has her own freedom and doesn't belong to anyone.

In time, Selene began to want for Maximus to claim her as his own, because she knew his intentions were pure and he loved her with all his heart. She didn't mind sharing the rest of her life with him. Still, his behaviour didn't change much after marking her.

Now, his hands wouldn't leave her body. She didn't really mind it, liking him close to her, but it began to be a little bit much when he started growling at Troy.

„Maximus...I'm fine. Troy wouldn't hurt me love." She watched him release deep breaths. Perhaps his wolf felt the emotions amplified and his need to protect her was higher.

„I won't let anyone touch you moon. You are mine."

„Yes, I'm yours." She held his face in her soft palms and kissed his lips. They felt like feathers. Finally, they all took a seat at the table, Selene still in Maximus's lap, enjoying his warmth.

„Selene..." Gen began.

„That was awesome! Why didn't you tell us you could do that?" Ben was fascinated by her powers, surprized once again by his Luna. Selene stayed quiet, looking down, avoiding everyone's eyes.

„It's a curse."

„What?"

„This is my curse." Everyone shared looks of confusion, even Maximus.

„Moon, we don't understand. A curse?"

„The goddess gave me this gift to do good. But how I can give life, I can just as easily take it." Maximus put his nose near her ear.

„I am here for you moon, always." Selene has been afraid of them finding out of her dark side since the beginning. They would hate her. However, watching their expressions now, not one looked at her with despise. Their eyes were soft, understanding.

„When I was a teenager, I discovered my powers. At first, Soren didn't tell me anything and he let me adjust to them. One day, during training, he told me that my powers are much more powerful than I initially thought. He...told me to use them to kill one of the rogues that entered the forest. Usually, I would just kill it like a human, no magic and then give it life again, in the form of nature." Selene saw all of them listening carefully to her words. „But that rogue...he didn't stand a chance. I was 15. When I channel this kind of power, with the intent to harm, even protect myself, it's like my soul is enveloped in a dark shadow. It feels like it controls me, my mind, my body..it doesn't belong to me anymore. After I saw what the rogue ended up to look like, I promised myself I wouldn't ever let it happen again. Today was the first time since then that I used them."

Gen had tears in her eyes, sad that her best friend had to go through that at such a young age. Troy and Ben were silent. They both knew Selene didn't want their pity. Maximus held her tighter. After a long silence, Selene remembered that today was much more important. She had to let go of her problems for now.

„Did Alpha Magnus leave? Did we manage to find the traitor?"

„Better than that... He is in the holding cells." Ben looked at his Alpha. „He is ready for questioning". Maximus nodded his head. First, he wanted to know what happened.

„After those she-wolves started challenging you, we saw Alpha Magnus leave. He retreated back from the crowd and sat next to one of our wolves. Both of them were whispering intently. They looked worried, confused. I suppose it is because Magnus found out about Elena missing and he didn't order it."

„What do you want to do now?"

„First, you can tell Elena she can come back. The plan worked better than expected. The packs already left. It's better if Magnus doesn't know we have the traitor yet. We are going to question him in the morning. Tonight, we have to celebrate."

„Celebrate what?"

„You of course." Maximus smiled at her wide eyes.

„Oh.. I didn't even realize it's over."

„Yes moon. You won the challenge. All the wolves saw what you did, and the fact that you spared her life when you could have killed her easily.."

„I didn't spare her life. I would have..killed her if you wouldn't have stopped me. Thank you."

„You don't have to thank me moon. We all know who you truly are, that you protect, not harm. You just needed..a little help to realize it." Selene gave them all a smile to show her gratitude. „Now, let's go enjoy this night with our pack."

Our pack...Our Kingdom. Selene was relieved it was all over. She proved her worth to Erebus and now he could enjoy her mate. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling the elder gave her.

„Maximus, that elder, the one that looked to be in charge of the Order.."

„Moon, let's worry about it tomorrow. We have all been working hard lately, especially you. It can wait for a few hours. The pack members want to celebrate their Queen."

„Ok"

The party was indeed a good idea. Everyone had a great time and they managed to release some of the tension built up in the last week. They drank together, with all the pack members, who were excited that Selene became their Luna Queen and were once again complete. At midnight, they all let out their wolves and took a run around the territory. Selene remained with the children, since she is no werewolf. She didn't mind it since she loved all the kids in her pack.

When Maximus and Selene felt it was time to rest, they retreated quietly to their room. They spent the night together like they haven't done before, both feeling pure joy that everything turned out to be ok. They got to find each other's souls in the most intimate way.