Chapter 4 I am not your Queen

Shadowcrest territory announced itself long before its borders were visible.

The forest thickened unnaturally as Selene crossed the invisible threshold, the air growing heavier with each step.

Trees stood closer together here, their branches twisting overhead like interlocked claws. The ground beneath her feet felt wrong, as though it resisted her presence, pulsing faintly with hostile magic.

Selene moved alone.

Rex had argued until his voice grew hoarse, but she had not yielded.

This was her burden. Her sister’s life balanced on every breath she took toward Shadowcrest Park, and she refused to risk Diana’s life by bringing an army to the gates.

Still, Rex followed her silently from the shadows.

He did not step into Shadowcrest land, but Selene felt him watching until the last possible moment.

When she finally lost the sense of his presence, the loneliness pressed in sharply, but she did not falter.

She could not.

Her senses stretched outward, mapping the forest in vivid detail. She detected guards hidden among the trees, their heartbeats steady, their eyes tracking her every move. They did not attack. They were waiting.

Letting her walk willingly into the trap.

Moonlight filtered weakly through the canopy as the trees abruptly parted, revealing Shadowcrest Park.

Stone walls rose from the earth like jagged teeth, etched with runes that glowed faintly red. Torches burned high along the battlements, their flames unnatural, flickering without wind. The massive gates stood open.

An invitation.

Selene stepped forward.

The gates began to close behind her with a thunderous boom that echoed across the grounds. She did not turn back. Her focus remained fixed ahead, where a wide courtyard stretched toward a towering hall carved entirely from dark stone.

Figures lined the path.

Warriors. Vampires. Wolves.

All watching her.

She walked through them with her chin lifted and her spine straight, refusing to show fear. Whispers followed in her wake, filled with awe and hunger.

Hybrid.

Monster.

Weapon.

The massive doors of the hall creaked open.

A man stood waiting at the top of the steps.

Lucan.

He was taller than Selene expected, broad shouldered and commanding, his presence dominating the space effortlessly. Long dark hair fell past his shoulders, streaked faintly with silver. His eyes glowed a deep, dangerous red, sharp with intelligence and cruelty carefully restrained.

He smiled as she approached.

Slow. Satisfied.

“So,” Lucan said, his voice smooth and carrying easily across the courtyard. “The hybrid comes willingly.”

Selene stopped at the base of the steps.

“Where is my sister,” she demanded.

Lucan chuckled softly.

“Straight to business,” he said. “I admire that.”

He descended the steps with unhurried confidence, circling her once like a predator inspecting prey.

“You look better than I imagined,” Lucan continued.

“The stories did not do you justice.”

Selene forced herself to remain still.

“You promised her life,” she said. “I am here. Release her.”

Lucan stopped in front of her, close enough that she could smell the faint trace of blood clinging to him.

“You misunderstand,” he said quietly. “I promised her life if you obey.”

Selene met his gaze without flinching.

“Then start by showing me she still breathes.”

Lucan studied her for a long moment before lifting his hand. At his silent command, the hall doors opened wider.

Two guards dragged Diana forward.

Selene’s breath caught painfully in her chest.

Diana looked thinner. Bruised. Her wrists were bound in glowing chains, her face pale but defiant even as blood stained her temple. Her eyes widened when she saw Selene.

“Selene,” Diana whispered hoarsely.

Lucan watched the exchange with open fascination.

“She has spirit,” he said. “You must be proud.”

Selene’s control wavered dangerously.

“Let her go,” she said, her voice trembling with restrained fury.

Lucan raised a brow.

“And lose my leverage,” he replied. “No.”

With a casual gesture, Lucan tightened his fist.

Diana cried out as the chains flared brighter, dropping to her knees in agony.

Selene moved instantly, power surging through her as she took a step forward.

Lucan’s hand snapped out.

Invisible force slammed into Selene, throwing her backward. She hit the stone hard, pain blooming through her spine.

“Do not forget where you stand,” Lucan said coldly. “You are powerful, yes. But this is my territory.”

Selene pushed herself upright, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

“You are afraid of me,” she said suddenly.

Lucan paused.

The courtyard fell silent.

“That is why you chained her,” Selene continued. “That is why you needed bait. Because you cannot control me yet.”

Lucan’s smile returned, sharper this time.

“Yet,” he repeated. “Exactly.”

He turned toward Diana.

“You see,” Lucan said conversationally, “your sister believes she came here to save you. But in truth, you brought her something far more valuable.”

He faced Selene again.

“You,” he said. “A hybrid blessed by the goddess herself. Do you have any idea what that makes you?”

Selene’s jaw tightened.

“A threat,” she replied.

Lucan laughed.

“No,” he said. “A queen.”

Murmurs rippled through the gathered warriors.

Lucan extended a hand toward her.

“Kneel,” he commanded. “Swear loyalty to Shadowcrest, and your sister walks free.”

Selene’s heart pounded violently.

She looked at Diana, who shook her head weakly.

“Do not,” Diana whispered. “Do not give yourself to him.”

Selene closed her eyes briefly.

When she opened them, her gaze was steady.

“I will kneel,” Selene said.

Lucan’s eyes gleamed with triumph.

On one knee, Selene lowered herself slowly, her movements deliberate. The courtyard erupted into whispers as power coiled tightly beneath her skin, barely restrained.

Lucan stepped forward, placing his hand on her bowed head.

“Wise choice,” he said.

The moment his skin touched hers, something ancient awakened.

Power exploded outward.

The ground cracked violently beneath them, runes shattering as a shockwave tore through the courtyard. Lucan staggered back with a snarl, his grip breaking.

Selene rose to her feet, eyes blazing red and crimson.

Chains rattled.

Diana screamed as the magic binding her reacted violently.

Lucan stared at Selene, shock flickering across his face for the first time.

“What are you,” he breathed.

Selene’s voice echoed unnaturally across the courtyard.

“I am not your queen,” she said. “And I will never be your weapon.”

The sky darkened suddenly, clouds racing overhead as the crescent moon burned brighter than it should.

Lucan smiled slowly, bloodlust igniting his eyes.

“Then let us see,” he said, “if you can survive refusing me.”

With a sharp gesture, the entire Shadowcrest guard advanced at once.

And Diana’s chains began to tighten.