The demon s blessed luna

The cold iron bars of the Moonlit Prison bit into Selene Nightshade's skin as she sat against the damp stone wall, her arms wrapped around her knees. The air was thick with the scent of silver, laced with the bitter sting of wolfbane, designed to suppress a werewolf's strength. But it wasn't the chains that weighed her down-it was the overwhelming ache in her chest.

She had known rejection would come. Omegas like her were never meant to be chosen. Yet, the way it had happened-the betrayal, the humiliation, the loss-it still burned through her like a wound that refused to heal.

The memory replayed in her mind like a cruel echo.

---

One Night Ago – The Alpha's Ceremony

The grand hall of the Silverfang Pack had been alive with music and celebration. Wolves from allied packs gathered, all eager to witness the claiming ceremony night when Alpha King Darius Stormborn would name his mate. Selene had been there only because of her duty as the pack doctor, her presence barely acknowledged among the high-ranking wolves.

She had watched from the shadows, nursing a quiet hope she dared not voice aloud. A hope that perhaps, just perhaps, her mate would find her tonight.

Then, the moment had arrived. The Alpha's gaze had swept across the room, his wolf searching for his fated mate. And for one breathless second, his golden eyes had locked onto hers. Recognition. A pull, like an invisible thread tightening between them.

Selene had felt her wolf stir, the mate bond crackling to life in her veins. This was it. This was the moment.

But before she could step forward, another scent had filled the air. Her scent.

Only it hadn't been coming from her.

Lilith Moonbane.

Selene's heart had stopped as she saw her so-called best friend stride toward the Alpha King, bathed in the same delicate floral scent that had always belonged to Selene alone.

"Mine." The Alpha King's deep voice had rung through the hall, and the room had erupted in cheers.

Selene had felt the bond snap inside her mate bond that should have been hers.

Her breath had hitched, her wolf clawing within her, trying to reach him. But before she could say a word, Lilith had turned, meeting Selene's stunned gaze with a slow, cruel smile.

And in that moment, Selene had known her scent had been stolen.

Lilith had betrayed her, masking herself with Selene's natural scent to deceive the Alpha King into believing she was his fated mate.

The pack had called it fate.

Selene had called it a lie.

She had tried to speak. Tried to tell the Alpha the truth.

But before she could utter a single word, Lilith had let out a gasp, feigning distress. "She's lying!" she had cried, gripping Darius's arm with an air of desperation. "She's jealous, my love. She doesn't want us to be together."

Gasps had rippled through the crowd.

"She's always envied me," Lilith continued, her voice trembling with expertly crafted sorrow. "Please, don't let her ruin this for us."

The Alpha's golden eyes had darkened, his gaze flickering between Lilith and Selene.

And then he had turned away from Selene.

At that moment, everything had shattered.

Within the hour, she had been dragged through the halls of the Silverfang Pack, accused of trying to challenge the Alpha's choice. Thrown into the Moonlit Prison like a traitor.

---

The Present – Moonlit Prison