Selena

The battlement was higher than I had expected. Standing there, with the cold wind brushing against my face, I could see almost everything.

The entire Blackbourne castle compound stretched beneath me like a world of its own. The tall stone walls surrounded the castle like a protective barrier, guards moved around the grounds in organized patterns, and beyond the walls was the city that belonged to Alpha Kael’s pack.

It was enormous.

I had heard about powerful packs before. I had heard servants whisper about the strength of Blackbourne, about how Alpha Kael was one of the youngest Alphas to gain such influence, but seeing it from above was different.

This was not just a castle... It was a kingdom.

I stood near the edge of the wall, looking down at the castle grounds and the city beyond it.

From that height, everything looked smaller. The people, the buildings and even the problems that had been chasing me for weeks.

For a moment, I could almost pretend I wasn’t Selena Vale. I could pretend I was just someone looking at a beautiful view.

But then reality always found its way back.

"You’re quiet." I turned at the sound of Alpha Kael’s voice.

He stood beside me, his dark clothes blending with the stone walls, his expression unreadable as usual. Somehow, even when he was doing nothing, he carried the presence of someone who was always in control.

He exudes the aura of a true Alpha. I almost found myself staring intently at him but I had to tear my eyes away before disgracing myself.

"I’m just looking," I admitted after getting hold of my emotions.

His eyes followed mine toward the city. "Blackbourne is bigger than most packs," he said as though knowing my thoughts.

I looked at him before asking, "Most?"

A small smirk tugged at his lips. "There are still packs older than mine. Packs with more history."

I looked back at the view. "It still feels impossible that someone could just walk into this place."

The moment I said it, his expression changed slightly. He knew exactly what I was talking about.

"The imposter!" He said through gritted teeth.

I sighed as I started speaking. "He got into the servants’ quarters."

Alpha Kael’s jaw tightened as I continued. "He took a cloak I cherish."

I looked down at my hands before adding, "My father’s cloak."

The words felt heavier than they should have. I still remembered the moment clearly.

I had woken up from the nightmare, confused and terrified, only to find someone standing over me. At first, I thought it was one of the assassins returning. I thought I was going to be dragged away.

But the imposter wasn’t there to take me. He was there for something else.

"He looked at me," I whispered. "He asked if I was Selena Vale."

Alpha Kael’s eyes immediately snapped to mine. "Did you give him an answer?"

I shook my head. "No. I didn’t have to give him any confirmation." My fingers curled around the edge of my dress. "He already knew who I was."

The thought made my stomach twist as I continued. "He didn’t try to fight me. He didn’t try to carry me away or make any noise. All he did was just take the cloak and leave."

Alpha Kael remained silent.

"I think he only wanted proof," I continued. "Proof that I was here in your castle."

The fear I had been trying to ignore finally surfaced. "If my father knows..."

Alpha Kael looked at me. "He might know that."

I swallowed. "You don’t understand. If Alpha William finds out I’m here..."

I stopped as I didn’t need to finish.

Alpha Kael understood my fear. "He won’t get to you." His voice was calm. Way too calm for his personality.

Like he was stating a fact.

I looked at him before asking, "How can you be so sure? My father can be so unpredictable and could attack when we least expect it."

"Because I won’t allow it. I won’t allow him to lay his hands on you."

The confidence in his words almost irritated me. "Alpha Kael, this isn’t some simple disagreement between packs."

"I know."

"My father will definitely come if he knows I’m here."

"I know." Alpha Kael said with so much confidence that I almost rolled my eyes.

"And what if he comes with an army?"

His expression hardened. "Then he should come with as many troops as he wishes."

My breath caught. "You’d really fight him?"

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stared at me then quietly said, "I sent trackers after the imposter. Before he gets to your father, he will be caught "

"And if they don’t find him?" I couldn’t help but ask.

For the first time, I saw hesitation appear on his face. It was small and barely noticeable but I saw it.

"If they don’t," he said slowly, "I will prepare for whatever war that is coming."

My heart stopped. "For me?" I asked.

His eyes met mine and the silence between us stretched. Then he answered. "Yes."

Something about hearing it from him made my chest tighten. Not because I wanted war. Not because I wanted anyone risking their lives.

But because Alpha Kael, the same man who constantly reminded me that I was just a servant in his pack, was willing to stand against an entire pack because of me.

He turned away first. "Come."

I followed him back inside without another word.

—

When I returned to my chamber, Marqee almost knocked me over with the force of her hug. "You’re alive!"

I laughed softly despite myself. "Marqee..."

"I thought something happened again." She pulled away, examining me. "You keep disappearing and somehow returning with more trouble."

I opened my mouth to respond but before I could, the door opened and Sally walked in with a healer behind her.

My expression changed immediately. Sally looked better than before, but she was still pale.

"You’re awake," she muttered.

I stared at her. "You were injured because of me."

She rolled her eyes. "Don’t start."

The healer moved toward her. "She still needs treatment."

I watched as Sally sat down as the healer examined her wounds, and I frowned.

"How long will she take to heal?"

The healer looked at me. "She has no wolf."

I froze for a second, and forgot to hide my reaction. No wolf? But I quickly looked away so as not to look suspicious.

"That’s why her wounds are healing slower," the healer explained.

Sally sighed. "Don’t look at me like that."

I looked back at her. "Like what?"

"Like I’m some fragile thing."

Despite everything, I smiled. "You almost died protecting me."

"And I regret it." She said and I raised a brow as she pointed at me. "If you had died, I would have been furious."

"Why would you be furious?"

"Yes. Because then I would have risked my life for nothing." Sally said, rolling her eyes.

Marqee laughed. "You two argue like old friends."

Sally ignored her and continued. "I’m serious, Selena. You need to stop throwing yourself into danger."

I looked away. "I know."

"No, you don’t." Her voice softened. "You don’t understand how many people could get hurt because of you."

The words stayed with me because she was right but I also knew I didn’t ask for any of this.

A few hours later, we sat together drinking tea then Sally looked at me. "The man who attacked me...He was looking for you."

I forced confusion onto my face. "Why?"

"That’s what I want to know." She says.

I shrugged. "Maybe someone in the castle hates me."

Sally narrowed her eyes stating she didn’t believe me but she didn’t push.

Marqee, however, immediately returned to her usual worrying. "What about your revolution group?"

I sighed. "I’m going on with it."

"And I’m still part of it." Sally says with a nod. "When I heal."

I smiled slightly then a servant suddenly arrived. "Selena... This is for you."

She handed me a small pouch. "It’s from the headmistress."

My eyebrows lifted on realizing it’s my payment after I opened it to find coins but underneath them was a folded piece of paper.

I stylishly unfolded it inside the pouch without bringing it out. "Don’t tell the headmistress."

My heart immediately knew who it was. It was sent by Alpha Kael.

Marqee and Sally both noticed my expression.

"What is it? Why is the headmistress paying you after saying she won’t?" Marqee asked.

I quickly covered the pouch. "I also don’t know why." I said but my mind was already racing with an idea.

The servants all received payments and every pouch passed through somewhere before reaching them.

A place where a message could easily be hidden. A way to spread our words without anyone noticing.

"Sally." I called and she looked at me.

"What?" She asked with a creased brow.

"I think I know how we spread the message." Before I could explain fully, a knock came.

The same couple I had spoken to days ago stood outside. They looked nervous as they said, "We want to join your revolution."

My eyes widened in surprise. "You’re serious?"

The man nodded. "Yes, we thought about what you said."

Hope flickered inside me but before I could respond, Sally spoke first.

"Are either of you connected to the headmistress?"

The couple exchanged a look then the man slowly answered.

"My younger brother works with her."