XXV

It was the first time both men had the chance to see the inside of the forest. They were watching their surrounding with interest and awe, not expecting such views and light life. Selene was proud her forest left this impression on the wolves, as it was once again proof of her constant struggle to show everyone that the Cursed Lands, as they call them, were surreal. It was a place of peace and good.

„How much further?"

„Just a few miles."

„So...tell me Luna, how was life in the forest? You must have felt lonely at some point."

„Well, not really. At least not until Mathias stubled in my home. I have gotten used to it. Besides, the forest didn't give me a feeling of loneliness, it was always soothing, felt like belonging." Troy and Clay kept walking forward, not responding to her statement. They were used with the pack life, never quiet, always surrounded by people, commotion. They could not imagine living all alone in the forest.

„But once Maximus showed me Ironblood, the people, the life... I felt like I belonged with you, with him." Selene smiled at the thought. Troy watched her face, happy that his Luna considered Ironblood her home now. They would be lost without her.

Selene put her hand in front of Troy, stopping his movement. He sensed her tense, watching the trees around them.

„What is it? Do you see something?"

„It's like...the forest feels threatened. I don't.." Selene's eyes went wide. „Duck!" Trusting her, Troy bent down just as a wolf jumbed for his head.

„What the.." It was too late for Clay. They watched his body bleed out on the ground, staining the grass. Selene hurried to him, taking in his hand.

„Stay with me Clay. We'll get help." He looked at her, smiling, his once white teeth crimson red.

„Luna, tell my family I love them. Please promise me you will look after them."

„I promise." She cried with small eyes. „Go in peace, Clay." When he gave his last breath, Selene used her magic to rest his soul with the forest. Growlings got her out of her trance. She got up and turned towards the sounds of fighting, shocked to see Troy trying to keep 3 wolves from reaching her. She ran to him, grabbing one of the rogues. She struggled to reach her knife. A second of looking in its eyes was enough to realize these were, again, not ordinary rogues that enter the Boodwoods.

„Troy, they are stronger!" he nodded his head at her, understanding what she meant. He could sense they were strange too. Selene managed to slit the wolf's throat, just as Troy broke the neck of another. Too fast to regain their composture, the third one jumped on Selene, both going down. She kept struggling against his jaws.

„Troy!" She saw his worried expression and started running to her. Before he could put his hands around the wolf's belly, it suddenly turned his head around and dived his canines into Troy's shoulder, biting hard. He let out a scream. Selene managed to get out from under the wolf's weight, jumped on his back and stabbed him in the neck. Its eyes were fixed on Troy, wide, as he realized his life was about to end. For a moment, the Gamma was sure he saw relief. Selene was panting, trying to regain her posture. The silence was intrerupted by Troy's whimpers. He was already sitting in a pool of blood. She hurried to him.

„Troy, stay with me." His eyes were drifting back, not able to stay concious. „Troy! Don't fucking dare close your eyes! Troy!" Selene knew what she had to do, but it was going to be a struggle. Once again, she tapped into her powers, asking the nature for help. She could feel her eyes changing, glowing with the new strength. In her mind, she battelled with her own self, her darker side, for control. We need to help Troy.

Her eyes teared, the pain of not letting go like she has never felt before. She started to move her hands, roots sprawling from the ground. They enveloped Troy like a cocoon. Attached to the forest's floor, she stepped forward, towards the border. When the sphere with Troy in it moved as well, Selene smiled, proud that she will get him home until it was too late. She took small steps, not letting go of the control she managed to achieve. It felt like forever until she saw the thick oaks part before her.

„Maximus! Maximus!" She started screaming for him with the hope he will reach her in time to get Troy to the pack doctor. Through the gaps between the roots, she saw her sun sprinting to them. She finally let the magic go, falling down next to Troy.

„Selene! What the hell is this? What happened?" Normally, he came to her to check for injures.

„I'm fine. Help Troy." Maximus turned to look at his friend barely breathing, covered in blood. He picked him up and threw him over his shoulder, running towards the hospital-like room. Selene could only watch his back, smiling at the realization that she did it. She managed to stay in control, and Troy would live. She finally let her eyes rest, cheek touching the grass.