CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: THE RESCUE

Selene’s POV ~

Every step felt like dragging chains through my own chest. My legs trembled, heavy as stone, and each breath clawed out of me as if the air itself wanted me to stop.

No... I can’t fall here. Not now. Not when someone else could come and drag me from here. Not when I’ve already been cornered too much tonight.

Her mate’s howl still echoed inside her ribs, raw and desperate. It clung to her like smoke, and the bond tore at her from within, demanding she turn back. But she refused. Because she couldn’t afford to look back, she didn’t trust much herself.

Her steps were clumsy, her body swaying, and behind her Luca’s massive wolf form lay crumpled into the earth, unconscious. The sight should have filled her with triumph. Instead, it hollowed her out. She felt like she had left half of herself in the dirt with him.

Her vision blurred. The forest spun. Am I even walking? Or am I just... falling forward?

That was when she heard it—the deep, low roaring of an engine. At first far away, then louder, rolling straight toward her. Her heart slammed against her ribs. No... not again. I can’t fight anyone else. Please, not them. Not tonight.

Her mind screamed to run, but her body betrayed her. The enchantment she had used and the bond straining at her soul, everything had drained her more than she ever thought possible. Her muscles were taut. Her chest burned with every inhale.

It shouldn’t hurt this much... resisting him feels like stabbing myself. Like tearing my own skin apart just to move one more step.

The sudden glare of headlights burned against her half-lidded eyes. She flinched, raising a trembling hand before her face. Her knees buckled, and she swayed. Is this it? Am I destined to be caught again?

"Selene! Hey... Selene, we finally found you!"

The voice tore through her haze like sunlight through a storm. Three figures rushed out of the vehicle, their footsteps pounding against the ground toward her.

Her body, which had been locked tight with dread, suddenly softened. And she realised the voice was familiar, it was warm and safe, and she let herself believe. Finally... they came. I don’t have to run anymore.

Her lips curved into the faintest smile. Maybe today isn’t so cruel after all. Maybe I can finally rest and no longer need to run blindly.

Her strength gave way, darkness pulling her under like waves dragging her to sea.

"Selene! Are you okay? What happened to you?"

Rael’s arms caught her just as she collapsed, his hands holding her against him before she could hit the ground. His voice shook with panic, but Selene barely heard it.

The last thought that brushed her fading mind was a whisper of relief—

Finally... I’m getting out of here. Finally, I’m free from them.

And then she surrendered to the dark, her body limp but her face at peace.

***

Author’s POV ~

The three figures rushed forward, their feet stumbling over roots and leaves in their hurry.

"Selene!" Sara’s cry broke the silence as she reached her friend. Her hands trembled as she cupped Selene’s face, brushing strands of hair from her damp skin. Her chest tightened at the sight, Selene was so pale with trembling lips, her breath shallow as if each inhale cost her too much.

Behind her, Aswin caught up. Rael’s arms still supported Selene’s weight, but even his strength felt small against the fear gnawing at him. His jaw clenched, voice hoarse.

"We were too late... gods, look at her. She’s burning out."

Aswin’s fists curled uselessly at his sides. His eyes stung, shame knotting in his throat. "This is our fault. We should have been here sooner. We wasted hours searching in the wrong place while she was..." His words broke, unable to finish. He could not bring himself to name what might have happened.

Sara shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks as she pressed Selene’s limp hand to her chest. "She trusted us... and we weren’t there. We should have never let her go alone. Look at her... condition, just what they did to her."

"Stop," Rael snapped, though his own voice cracked. His grip tightened around Selene as if afraid she would vanish if he let go. "We don’t have time for this. Blame ourselves later. Right now, we get her out. Away from them. Away from this cursed place."

They nodded silently, fear twisting all three of them into the same fragile shape.

Together, they lifted her with care, as though she were glass that could shatter with one wrong touch. Rael slid into the back seat of the car, cradling her against him while Sara scrambled beside him, never letting go of Selene’s hand. Kieran slammed the driver’s door shut, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

The engine roared, headlights cutting through the dark as the car lurched forward. The forest fell away behind them, trees blurring into shadow. Each mile carried them further from enemy territory, further from the pack that would tear her apart if they found her again.

Inside the car, everyone was silent. Only Selene’s ragged breaths filled the space, each one a reminder of how close they had come to losing her.

Sara bowed her head, whispering against Selene’s knuckles. "Please hold on. Just a little longer. We’ll never forgive ourselves if you don’t."

Fear was crawling in their hearts, in their minds Selene is powerful, then what the hell did they do to her that she was in this condition?

Rael’s gaze stayed fixed on her face, memorizing every flicker of movement, every weak rise and fall of her chest. His heart thudded painfully, guilt gnawing at every beat.

Kieran pressed the accelerator harder, his jaw set, his voice a rough whisper in the quiet car. "No matter what it takes... I swear we’ll keep her safe. They won’t touch her again."

All of them knew Selene had a very big enmity with werewolves but what it was they didn’t know. But they had seen her break down many times just because of that.

And with that vow, the car sped through the night, carrying Selene far from the werewolves territory.