Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 54
Chapter 54
Selene
“Does that mean you have a wolf, Selene?” The alpha asked.
I turned to him and nodded, my expression calm. “Yes, Alpha. I do.”
A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but then he nodded approvingly. “That’s good.” He turned toward Sienna, who stood beside me looking as if the ground had been ripped from under her. “Since you both have your wolves,” Alpha Rhydian said, his gaze shifting between us, “transform. Finalize the celebration.”
Sienna stiffened. The color drained from her face. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Finally, she stammered. “I-I
can’t.”
The Alpha’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t?”
“I-” Sienna’s voice cracked, her hands trembling as she tried to find the right excuse. “I’m very sick, Alpha. Today has… drained me. I’m not feeling well, so I—”
I tilted my head, watching her performance, and then shrugged lightly, a small, innocent smile curving my lips. “You don’t need to stress yourself, Sienna, I’ll do mine today. You can do yours tomorrow.”
Sienna’s eyes widened in panic. “N-no!” She blurted But I didn’t pay her any attention. Instead, I closed my eyes and whispered softly. “Mira.”
A surge of warmth rippled through my body as the air thickened with white mist. Gasps erupted around me. The mist coiled around my feet like light, glowing brighter and brighter until it enveloped my entire body. And then, bones cracked, muscles shifted, and my vision blurred. The world tilted. I could hear the collective gasp of the crowd as my form shrank and reshaped. The pain was sharp, but familiar. And then it was gone, replaced by strength.
When I opened my eyes again, everything was different.
I wasn’t standing anymore, I was on four legs. The cool air brushed against my fur, and the moonlight caught my pure white wolf, making it shimmer like frost. My reflection gleamed faintly in the nearby fountain.
Gasps filled the air.
“Oh my gods…” someone whispered. “Is that…… is that a white wolf?”
“No way, that’s the White Wolf!”
“Selene is the one with the white wolf!”
The courtyard froze. Even Adrian’s usually composed face cracked in shock, his green eyes widening as he stared at Mira
No one spoke, no one dared to move.
Mira lifted her head high, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. A low, rumbling growl escaped her throat, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet. And then, in a voice that was both divine and commanding, she hissed. “Kneel.”
The sound wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. It carried authority, the kind that clawed into your bones and demanded
obedience.
One by one, they dropped to their knees.
My father, my stepmother, my brothers, and Adiran His gaze met mine for one long second before he bowed his head. Even Alpha Rhydian bowed his head.
12:52 Tue, Dec 23 MG.
Chapter 54
That was the law. The divine decree. The first awakening of the White Wolf wasn’t to be challenged or disrespected. No one stood before the chosen child of the Moon Goddess, not even royalty.
Mira prowled forward, the sound of her paws soft against the marble. Her icy gaze landed on Sienna.
Sienna was frozen in place, shaking violently. Mira’s growl deepened as she took a step toward her. Sienna stumbled back, heels scraping against the stone.
Another step, and Sienna backed away again until her legs gave out and she fell, gasping.
Mira loomed over her, her blue eyes glowing. “Kneel.”
When Sienna didn’t move, her stepmother’s trembling voice cut through the silence. “K-kneel, Sienna!”
Sienna’s lips quivered before she finally bowed, pressing her forehead to the ground.
Mira’s head tilted slightly, her gaze sweeping across the entire courtyard. Her voice echoed softly in my mind.
‘Selene, I won’t allow us to be bullied this time. I will make everyone kneel before us.’
My heart swelled. My vision blurred with emotion I couldn’t hide. “Thank you, Mira.’
The edges of my vision darkened, exhaustion crashing into me all at once. The power of the transformation was too much. Before everything went black, I caught a final glimpse of them, all kneeling,
*****
Adrian
When I looked up, she was already back in her human form.
Selene lay naked on the stone floor, her pale skin glowing beneath the silver light of the moon. Her hair spilled across her face in dark waves, the faint rise and fall of her chest the only sign that she was breathing. She looked calm and peaceful. But the sight made something inside me twist violently.
Everyone was staring at her. Men who should have known better. I could see their shock, desire and it infuriated me.
I felt my jaw tighten as I swept my gaze over them. And just like that, they all turned away, bowing their heads, pretending they hadn’t been staring. It didn’t matter that nudity was common among us after a shift. It didn’t matter that this was nothing new. Because she was mine. And I hated the thought of anyone’s eyes on her.
My hand flexed unconsciously, fighting the urge to tear anyone’s gaze away permanently. The memory of her words earlier flashed in my mind. “I want to reject you, Prince Adrian of the Mooncrest Pack.”
I still didn’t understand her.
I didn’t know what game she was playing or what the hell she thought she’d gain by rejecting me, but it made me snap, Fury, confusion, possession, all tangled together.
I had never paid any attention to her before today. She was just another face in the pack, a forgettable shadow beside her sister. But now, even the idea of anyone touching her filled me with a rage I couldn’t explain.
Her maid rushed forward, panic in her voice. “Quick, Silas! Cover her, and let’s take her to the room-”
Her guard knelt beside her, reaching out a hand.
“Don’t touch her.”
My voice was low, sharp enough to cut through the noise. Both of them froze instantly.
12:52 Tue, Dec 23 MG.
Chapter 54
I ran a hand through my hair and shrugged off the heavy fur cloak on my shoulders, the fabric brushing against my fingers. Without sparing them a glance, I stepped forward and knelt beside her. Her skin looked cold against the stone. I draped the fur around her shoulders, covering the curve of her back.
She stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering, but didn’t wake.
The moment my hand brushed her arm, her scent hit me. My pulse quickened against my will. The bond between us hummed to life again, burning hot under my skin.
I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. Damn it. Even this close to her was too much.
I slipped an arm beneath her knees and another under her shoulders, lifting her easily. She was lighter than she looked. My fur slid down slightly, and I adjusted it, keeping her covered as I turned to leave.
“W-wait, Prince Adrian!” Sienna called. She grabbed my wrist. Her grip was desperate. “Please wait. I- I also have the white wolf! Please, let me show you. I’m sure I’m even more powerful than her, Just look at me, Adrian-”
“Touch me again,” I said, “and I’ll cut off your fingers.”
Her breath hitched. The color drained from her face, and she quickly pulled her hand back, shaking.
I didn’t even look at her. Turning to my father, I said evenly, “I’ll escort her to her room.”
Alpha Rhydian’s eyes flicked between us before he gave a short nod. “Alright.”
I didn’t wait for permission beyond that. I carried Selene out of the courtyard, ignoring the whispers, the confusion, and stunned silence. I didn’t care about the rest of the celebration.
Her head rested against my chest, her breathing steady, her scent clinging to me. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, the sound of my boots echoing faintly in the corridor.
“Prince Adrian,” A voice drawled. “What a surprise. Who would’ve thought you were her mate?”
I didn’t need to look to know who it was. His powerful aura pressed against mine;
I turned slightly, shifting Selene’s weight in my arms as my gaze met the figure/leaning casually against the wall.
Alpha Tristain.
His golden eyes gleamed with amusement under the torchlight. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, my wolf snarled quietly inside me.
AD
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