Chapter 2 He Was the Heir
By the time I pushed open the door to the apartment, every muscle in my body ached with exhaustion. My uniform reeked of spilled beer and sweat. I dropped my bag by the door, my shoulders slumping as I tried to shake off the dread from his threats.
"How is Elva?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile peace of the night.
Amber looked up from her laptop, her tired eyes meeting mine. She was curled up on the sagging couch, a blanket over her legs, the screen's glow casting shadows on her face. "She's been coughing, but she just fell asleep."
I moved toward Elva's bedroom door, pausing with my hand on the knob, my heart tightening. I wanted to see her, to ensure she was okay, but I didn't want to wake her. "She's fine. I gave her the medicine at eight," Amber assured me, holding out a mug of tea I was too distracted to take. "What happened at work? You look awful."
I hesitated, the memory of Mike's hands on me, his vile whispers, clawing at my mind. "Mike was being weird again. I don't know how to handle it." My voice cracked, betraying the fear I tried to bury.
"That bastard," Amber spat, her face flushing with anger, fingers tightening around her mug. "You shouldn't have to deal with this. Remember when you were top of your class at Bluestone Academy? You were destined for more than this."
"That's not me anymore." My fingers traced the scar on my neck, a reminder of everything I'd lost. It marked the moment my wolf was torn from me, leaving an emptiness that ached like a phantom limb.
"This is your sister's fault," Amber said bitterly. "You shouldn't have sacrificed everything for that drug addict and her abandoned baby."
I didn't need reminding that Elva wasn't my biological daughter. In my heart, she was mine. "There was always a class gap between us, even before my sacrifice," I said quietly. "And once I lost my wolf, the gap became too wide."
I tried to smile, but it felt brittle. Dreams were a luxury I couldn't afford. Survival—and Elva's health—were all that mattered. Every penny went to her medical bills, every ounce of strength to keeping her safe.
The sound of the news caught my attention as Amber turned back to her laptop. "Have you seen this? The Luna Selection coverage is everywhere."
On the screen, a livestream showed the title: "LUNA SELECTION: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS!" The host's enthusiastic voice explained how any female could be considered, but only three would become mates to the Sterling heirs, one as the future Chief Luna.
"It's weird how secretive the Silver Moon Pack leadership is," Amber commented, brow furrowing. "Alpha King Alexander Sterling and Luna Diana rarely appear. The heirs are practically myths."
The footage showed three men waving from a balcony. I couldn't see their faces, but my eyes caught a familiar item on one heir's wrist—a black wolf-claw bracelet I'd sewn for my ex, Kane, three years ago.
My breath caught, heart pounding. Could it be him?
I remembered crafting that bracelet at Bluestone Academy after Kane shared his story of a war injury at eleven. He'd been the youngest warrior sent to the northern front, his raw power outstripping seasoned fighters. But inexperience led him into a trap, leaving his wrist permanently damaged. I'd spent weeks making the armband with protection runes, hoping to guard what couldn't heal.
Amber nudged me. "Elena? You listening?" My eyes stayed glued to the screen. The camera zoomed in, and Amber gasped. "Isn't that... Kane?"
The world tilted. The boy I'd loved had matured, his lanky frame now muscular, boyish features sharpened into authority. When his eyes met the camera, I looked away, as if he could see me through the screen. "Amber, turn it off," I whispered.
Before she could, Kane's voice filled the room: "As we face uncertain times at our borders, Alpha seeks to renew our connection with our people. The ancient power will choose twenty-five candidates, and three will become our life partners."
My hands trembled as I reached for my mug, trying to steady myself. The Luna Selection—a tradition where the Moon Light Bloodline chose mates for the Sterling line—was returning after fifty years, in our pack's darkest hour.
Later, as I picked up Elva's toys, Amber stormed into the living room, waving her phone. "I've made a list. First, the Luna Selection prize includes Silver Moon family resources. Second, they have the best healers—ones who might help Elva."
I froze, the stuffed wolf in my hands feeling heavy. "What do you mean?"
"Don't pretend you haven't noticed," Amber said softly. "Her fevers, how she heals faster than normal. Elena, she needs answers regular hospitals can't provide."
The ache of my missing wolf stirred in my chest. "I'm a single mother who can't shift," I said quietly. "The ancient power wouldn't choose me."
"You're being ridiculous!" Amber's voice rose with frustration. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. The Selection hasn't happened in fifty years! Are you letting fear stop you from helping Elva?"
"It's not fear," I protested, my voice wavering. "It's... everything's uncertain. The competition, facing him again…"
"Listen," Amber insisted, stepping closer. "You always put Elva first. This might be what she needs. The ancient power sees who we are, what we'll fight for."
"And who am I?" I whispered, doubt gnawing at me. "A broken wolf? A woman with secrets?"
"You're Elena," Amber said firmly. "An amazing mother who'd do anything for her daughter. If anyone deserves this, it's you."
I looked at the stuffed wolf, thinking of Elva's unexplained fevers, the questions I couldn't answer. The word ‘compete' sent a shiver through me. Compete for what? A place beside Kane, now a Silver Moon heir? Or a chance to understand what happened three years ago?
That night, the nightmare came. I was running through endless corridors, clutching a feverish Elva. My bare feet slapped cold marble as I called, "Please, don't hurt her!" My voice cracked with terror as a shadowy figure pursued us.
Elva's body burned against mine, her breathing shallow. I felt her life slipping with each step. "Someone help us!" My pleas echoed, unanswered. The familiar pain spread through my chest as I struggled to protect her.
I turned a corner, trapped by a wall of shadows with glowing eyes. They reached for Elva with clawed hands. I tried to shift, to summon my wolf, but nothing happened. The emptiness ached like an open wound.
I clutched Elva tighter as the shadows neared. A cold whisper followed: "This is what you asked for."
"No!" I woke with a silent scream, sweat on my brow. My hands reached beside me, finding only empty sheets where Elva sometimes crawled in for comfort.
"Elva? Elva!" I called, voice trembling as I stumbled out of bed, the nightmare clinging to me like a shroud.