The Lunar Crest Academy: Marked by The Lycans
Chapter 45: Not Allies

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Not Allies

Kieran’s POV

"Whoever’s hiding," I said calmly, my voice slicing through the heavy air of my study like a blade, "you have exactly three seconds to come out before I rip your head off."

There was silence at first

Then, a faint rustle behind the curtain.

The scent hit me first, roses dipped in blood, sharp and offensive, a perfume meant to seduce but reeking of arrogance. I already knew who it was. My jaw clenched as Selene Ashthorne stepped out from behind the velvet curtain like she hadn’t just committed the highest form of disrespect.

She straightened her shoulders, flipping her golden hair with calculated grace and lifting her chin, her lips curving in that smug, knowing smile that made my wolf stir in irritation.

"What the hell are you doing hiding in my study?" I asked, tone low, dangerous.

Selene hesitated for a breath, then placed a hand lightly on her chest like she was playing a role. "I am Selene Ashthorne, daughter of Alpha Desmond Ashthorne of the Bloodfang Pack, one of the strongest elite packs in the kingdom." Her voice dripped with pride, every word laced with entitlement. "Our family has always been allies with the Lycans. My father and your father—"

I stepped forward, slowly, deliberately.

"I asked," I said again, voice barely above a whisper now, but laced with venom, "what you are doing in my study. I will not repeat myself."

She faltered for a moment, her confidence slipping just a little. Then she plastered on another smile.

"I’m here to offer peace," she said smoothly. "I know you’ve... for whatever reason, perhaps pity...." she rolled her eyes dramatically— "intervened on behalf of that feral girl."

My eyes narrowed.

She continued, either too stupid or too arrogant to sense the warning in the silence.

"You nearly killed my brother for her during the feral protest" she said, stepping closer, her voice soft and manipulative. "Don’t think I don’t understand what that means. You see, Kieran—" she said my name far too casually, "I’m not your enemy. These ferals are beneath us both. They don’t belong here. They don’t belong anywhere. But I’m not here to argue that."

She licked her lips slowly.

"I’m here to propose a pact. Just like our fathers. Let us stand together at this academy. Strong. Untouchable. You and I, allies. Partners."

She smiled again, like she’d just offered me the kingdom itself.

I stared at her in silence for a moment, not moving, not speaking. Just watching.

Then I let my lips pull into a cruel smile.

"You want to align yourself with me?" I asked, voice calm.

She nodded eagerly.

"But I almost killed your brother for the same girl you claim to despise?"

"I don’t despise her," Selene said quickly. "She’s.... amusing. But she needs to be put in her place. And I know you understand that."

I tilted my head. _{free.webn\ove(l)(.)c(o)m}

"She’s beneath us," she added. "You know it. I know it. She’s nothing, Kieran. But you, you and I, we’re everything."

I took another step toward her, closing the space between us in a blink, my wolf simmering just beneath my skin. Selene tensed, but didn’t back away. She was bold, I’d give her that. Bold and deluded.

"Let me make something very clear to you, Selene," I said softly, voice ice-cold. "You don’t get to crawl into my study like a snake and offer alliances like we’re equals."

She flinched at the edge in my voice, but still held her ground.

"And don’t you ever, ever, speak of her again," I growled.

Her eyes widened, but I wasn’t done.

"I don’t care who your father is. Or who your pack is allied with. You mean nothing to me. Your proposal means nothing. And if you ever step into my presence again uninvited, I will not give you the courtesy of conversation."

Selene looked stunned, her mouth parting slightly.

"I suggest," I continued, "you turn around and leave. Before I change my mind about letting you walk out of here in one piece."

For the first time, she looked truly shaken. Her pride flickered in her eyes, but the fear had finally crept in too. Good.

She turned without another word,

Then she stopped

Her voice rang out behind me, sharp, venomous, and utterly stupid.

"I see now," she spat. "You’re acting this way because of her, aren’t you? That stupid, worthless feral girl. The one I could rip to shreds without even stretching a damn muscle."

I stopped.

My wolf surged to the surface so fast it nearly split my skin apart. I didn’t think. I didn’t pause.

I moved.

In the blink of an eye, I was in front of her again. Her arrogant expression hadn’t even had time to fall before my hand was clamped around her throat.

Hard.

Selene gasped, her nails flying to my wrist as her feet lifted from the floor.

Her scent was drowned out by the burning stench of fear.

I leaned in close, my face a breath from hers, my voice deathly quiet. "You will never speak of her like that again."

Her lips quivered, the struggle in her limbs already weakening.

"If even a strand of her hair breaks off because of you..." I tightened my grip, letting her feel just how close she was to losing her life, "...I will be the one ripping you to shreds. And I won’t even stress a muscle doing it."

My wolf growled in agreement, deep and guttural, vibrating through my chest and into her trembling body.

She nodded frantically, clawing at my arm.

I dropped her like garbage.

Selene crashed to the floor, coughing and gasping, her composure in ruins. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes, not from pain, but from humiliation.

I didn’t care.

She was lucky she could still breathe.

I turned away again, this time without hesitation.

And as I stepped out of the study, I realized one cold, undeniable truth

This wasn’t about protecting an underdog. It wasn’t about pity. It wasn’t even about the alliance Selene had tried to manipulate.

It was about Lorraine.

And what she had somehow become to me.

I am going to save her.

I am going to protect her.

Because she’s now my servant, mine.

And the world would burn before I let anyone harm what was mine.