Chapter 4 The Fire Awakens

The fire burned low in Mara’s hearth, casting flickering shadows across the walls as Selene sat cross-legged on the floor. Her hands trembled in her lap, though not from fear. It was something else. A strange energy coiled beneath her skin—wild, unformed, demanding to be released. Mara moved around her with practiced grace, setting down bowls filled with herbs, stones, and silver dust in a perfect circle. “Close your eyes,” the old healer instructed. “And breathe.” Selene obeyed, letting her lashes fall as she drew in a long breath through her nose. The scent of sage and lavender swirled in her lungs. The room quieted. Even the wind seemed to pause outside. “Now listen,” Mara said. “Not with your ears, but with your soul.” Selene focused inward. At first, all she heard was the beat of her heart, the rush of blood in her veins. But beneath that—deeper—there was something else. A thrum. A rhythm. A pulse. Suddenly, heat bloomed behind her ribs, spreading like a tide. It wasn’t painful, but it was intense—like being kissed by flame from the inside out. Her breath hitched, and her hands clenched in her lap. “Let it come,” Mara whispered. “Do not resist.” The heat rose higher, engulfing her spine, her throat, her mind. Her skin tingled. Her nails lengthened. Her eyes flew open—not from fear, but from realization. The cabin wasn’t glowing, but she was. A soft red light pulsed beneath her skin, faintly illuminating the circle. Flames flickered along her fingertips, but they didn’t burn her. They danced like they knew her. Mara’s lips curved into a rare smile. “You are awakening.” “I… I feel it,” Selene said, voice trembling. “It’s not just power. It’s—alive.” “It is the old fire,” Mara said. “It chose you long before the mate bond ever could.” Selene’s gaze flicked to the flames curling from her palms. She watched as they swirled upward, then dimmed as she exhaled slowly. With a thought, they vanished. “I’ve never felt so… in control,” she whispered. “That is the mark of your kind. Fire obeys the worthy.” Selene looked up. “Then why was I rejected?” Mara knelt beside her. “Because Kael Thorn is a fool who fears what he doesn’t understand.” Selene’s jaw tensed. “He didn’t even give me a chance. Just one look, and I was nothing to him.” Mara touched her shoulder gently. “Then show him what he lost.” The words rang in her like a promise. --- Two days later, Selene stood on the edge of the training field in Blackwood territory. Wolves trained in groups under the command of the Beta, swords and claws clashing in rhythm. Selene had never been allowed to join them. Omegas were given chores, not weapons. But that morning, she’d looked in the mirror and no longer seen an omega. She saw power. She saw purpose. So she walked straight into the center of the field, ignoring the startled gasps and furrowed brows. “Selene?” one of the warriors muttered. “What is she doing here?” “She’s not allowed.” “Didn’t she get rejected?” Selene ignored them all and approached Mason, the Beta trainer. He looked up from his sparring match and narrowed his eyes. “This area’s restricted,” he said gruffly. “You’re not cleared for combat drills.” “I’m here to change that,” she said, voice steady. Mason snorted. “Rejected or not, that doesn’t make you a warrior. You’ve never trained a day in your life.” “I’m ready now.” He studied her for a long moment, then stepped aside and gestured to the ring. “Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got. But don’t cry when someone knocks you on your ass.” A murmur ran through the crowd. Several warriors gathered to watch. Selene stepped into the ring. Her heart thundered in her chest, but she stood tall. Mason pointed at a lean, muscular fighter with a cruel smirk. “Draven. Go easy on her. She’s not used to losing yet.” Draven chuckled as he stepped forward. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll make it quick.” They circled each other, bare feet brushing dust. Then, without warning, Draven lunged. Selene moved. Not with hesitation, but with precision. Her reflexes were sharper than they’d ever been. Time slowed. She ducked, spun, and used his momentum to throw him off balance. He stumbled—and that was all she needed. Her foot connected with his chest, sending him flying backward. He landed with a grunt, the wind knocked out of him. Silence. Everyone stared. Selene stood in the center, breath even, fists clenched. Fire simmered in her blood, though she kept it hidden. Mason blinked. “What the hell…?” “I’d like to request daily training,” Selene said calmly. Mason rubbed his jaw. “You just kicked the ass of one of my best fighters.” “Is that a yes?” He chuckled, a strange gleam in his eyes. “Hell yes. Welcome to combat drills, Blackwood.” --- Far from the Blackwood grounds, in the Nightshade Pack’s private war room, Kael sat at the long table with a map spread before him. His advisors spoke, but he wasn’t listening. Not really. His thoughts were with her. Selene. He’d tried to bury it. Focus on the patrols, the rogue sightings, the growing tensions between packs. But nothing could distract him from the gnawing sense of unease inside him. His wolf was more restless than ever. Something had changed. He could feel it. Like a tremor in the earth before the quake. Her energy had shifted. Grown stronger. Wilder. “Alpha,” Dax said, snapping him from his thoughts. “Reports from Blackwood say their rejected omega has been training on the field.” Kael’s head snapped up. “What?” “Selene. She fought one of their elite wolves yesterday and won. Took him down in less than a minute.” Kael’s pulse jumped. Impossible. “She has no training.” “She does now,” Dax said. “And rumor is, she’s not just fast—she’s different. They say she moved like she knew his every move before he made it.” Kael stood abruptly, his chair scraping back. He stormed from the room, ignoring the others. Outside, he shifted into his wolf and ran. Fast. Furious. The forest blurred past him, the wind a roar in his ears. He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew he had to find her. Because whatever she was becoming—it was powerful. And he couldn’t shake the feeling that the mate he had rejected… was destined to become his greatest regret.