Selene's casual shrug barely concealed the dark flicker in her eyes. "Maybe I overheard it around the pack grounds or something. Let's not get bogged down with all that grim stuff, alright?"

Rowan gave a reluctant nod, his gaze drifting toward the dark forest ahead. They continued walking through the thick underbrush, the moonlight casting eerie, shifting shadows along their path. Little did they know, I was trailing behind them, my spirit close, never leaving Rowan's side.

"So, after this trip, are you coming back to the pack?" Rowan asked, his voice uncertain.

Selene shook her head with a small smirk. "No. The family business is mostly overseas now. I'll be staying there for good."

Rowan's expression turned thoughtful, a slight frown creasing his brow. "But you left after that fight with Luna. Moving the whole family business just to get away… it doesn't make sense."

Selene laughed lightly. "Oh, Rowan, you know that wasn't the reason. I'd planned to go abroad from the start. Luna had nothing to do with it."

Rowan blinked in confusion. "But you said you were leaving because of her. At the pack borders, you were furious, saying she was acting like a lovesick pup, and that's why you had to leave!"

Selene paused, then let out a casual laugh. "That? Rowan, that was just a joke. You didn't actually believe that, did you?"

A joke? A throwaway excuse that twisted Rowan's mind against me? All because she thought it was "just a joke"?

Noticing Rowan's puzzled expression, Selene chuckled, flashing him a teasing grin. "Don't tell me you took that seriously! Yeah, I was annoyed seeing Luna tag along with you like a lost cub, but I just wanted to mess with her a little. I never thought you'd actually take it to heart!"

She nudged his arm playfully, her grin widening. "Come on, aren't mates supposed to trust each other unconditionally? You're not doubting your own mate, are you?" Her tone had a teasing edge, like she enjoyed toying with him.

Rowan's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as his muscles tensed, ready to snap. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and in an instant, he lashed out, his claws grazing Selene's arm. She recoiled in shock.

"Rowan, what the hell is wrong with you?" she demanded.

But Rowan didn't answer her. He only snarled, his grip tightening, the familiar power in his hands unmistakable. I should have felt some twisted satisfaction at the sight, but something about it felt unfinished. Would he really silence her, just as he had silenced me?

A scout from the pack, noticing the commotion, rushed over to intervene, pulling them apart and alerting the Alpha guards. By the time they arrived at the pack's stronghold, Selene wore a half-hearted smile, her arm marked by Rowan's grip as she faced the gathered wolves.

Inside the Alpha's quarters, Selene fidgeted, her eyes darting toward the exit. When questioned about the incident, she forced out a carefree laugh, brushing it off. "Oh, please. Rowan and I? Just packmates roughhousing a little."

The guard raised an eyebrow. "Your face is bruised, and your clothes are torn. Does that look like simple roughhousing to you?"

Selene straightened, offering a bold smile. "Look, I'm the one who got hurt here, right? I'm not pressing charges or making a fuss. I just need to leave. My journey awaits, and my pack is expecting me."

One of the senior wolves shook his head. "Not how it works, Selene. Before you can leave, we'll need a scent sample to verify your identity within the pack."

Her expression hardened. "Absolutely not. I don't have time for that! If you've got questions, take them up with my family's pack leader."

Before she could make a move to bolt, the guards stepped forward, clamping heavy iron shackles around her wrists, shackles usually reserved for rogues.

"Rowan!" Selene pleaded, a flicker of desperation breaking through her usual calm. "You're the Alpha here, you could do something, couldn't you?"

Rowan remained silent, his eyes cold, barely acknowledging her plea.

A guard turned to Rowan, bowing slightly. "Alpha Rowan, how exactly do you know this she-wolf?"

Rowan's voice was steady, distant. "It's nothing. Carry on."