Chapter 36-The Fox's Trap and the Shadow of the Demon King Selene's POV: Night wrapped the city like a black net. I huddled on the couch, knees pulled tight to my chest, staring at Aaron's unread messages glowing on my phone screen. When I got home, he clocked something was off the second he walked in-his nose too sharp, like a wolf sniffing the air for trouble. "Short stuff, what's up? You look off. Lars give you some headache?" I forced a smile, voice straining for casual. "Oh, work kicked my ass. Files stacked to the ceiling all day -brain's fried. Lars... yeah, no word yet. Figure he's still mulling it over." The lie slithered out, bitter as medicine, sticking in my throat on the way down. Lars's threats, Granny's muffled sobs, that locked-down cabin... not a word. Couldn't spill. What if Aaron really tied to Blood Shade? Brian's flinch, his "friends," that wad of mystery cash... it all webbed around me, choking the breath out. He dropped beside me, arm looping my shoulders, warm enough to make me wanna break. "Doesn't look like nothing. Selene, if something's eating you, spit it out. I'm here." Those green eyes drilled into mine, deep as forest shadows, carrying that steady power that usually grounded me. But now? It scared the hell out of me. What if he was linked to that "demon" Alpha? What if his softness was a lure, drawing me step by step to the pit? Blood Shade legends echoed in my skull: killing machine, sacrificial altar, the curse of rapid decay... If Aaron was his lackey-no, worse... I'd have to bolt. Fast. But another voice screamed inside: How many times has he saved your skin? That heartbeat when he holds you-fake? The contradiction twisted like a blade in my ribs. I leaned into his shoulder, faking exhaustion, eyes shut as I whispered: "It's nothing, Aaron. For real. Just tired. Hold me-that's enough." He didn't push, just kissed my hairline and headed for the shower. Water rushed like white noise; I curled tighter, mind a churning mess. That night, sleep came shallow-dreams tangled Lars's fox sneer with Aaron's green gaze, weaving a snare. Next morning, I slipped out early, before he stirred. Phone off, cab straight to the station. Streets teemed with rush-hour ants; my heart iced over. Drop the charges. Buy Lars time. Granny's life, Aaron's safety... no room for bets. The precinct lobby chilled like a freezer, fluorescents humming overhead. I signed the forms, mustering a grin for the cop: "She's my sister-joke gone wrong. Mix-up." He shrugged, stamped it, and cut her loose. Vanessa emerged pale as a ghost, hair a rat's nest, but that venom in her eyes? Unchanged. She shot me a glance, lip curling in disdain: "Well, look who Savior Complex rolled in. Regretting it already? Where's your cabbie hubby? Not tagging along?" "I'd rather keep him out of this mess. You're not worth dragging him into." I sniped back. Vanessa snatched my arm, voice shrill: "Selene, who the hell do you think you are? Didn't clock that driver's no ordinary joe? Some undercover millionaire, right? You hit the jackpot, scraping up treasure." 15 18 97.3% Chapter 59 Therpas tap and SHARJUN KINIŲ "Didn't peg it that way." I twisted her arm back, hauling her to the cab. "Shut it. Get in. Still gotta trade you for Granny." Vanessa burst out laughing, sharp as shattered glass. "Figured you'd play the bleeding heart-Granny's in Dad's clutches, huh? Ha! See, Selene? You always lose big, from the cradle. Your luck? Never matched mine?" I cracked her with a backhand slap, sneering: "Yours looks peachy now-free smack included. How's that sting?" "Selene, you bitch-you hit me?" Vanessa clawed her swelling cheek, hopping mad and screeching. I jabbed a finger in her face. "We're not back at Ice Moon yet. Piss me off, and I'll slap you again-till your mug's mush!" Vanessa clamped her trap quick. Growing up rogue, I'd scrapped like a boy-wild, scrappy. She? Spoiled princess, every inch. Even with her wolf, what good? Hers was pampered soft as her. Pack roads twisted like serpents through the trees. Cab halted at the gate; I paid up and bailed. Vanessa hobbled after-jail hadn't softened her hate, just honed it sharper. "Selene, think dropping charges ends it? Dad grateful? Dream on. He's got a million ways to screw you." "Fine-bring it!" I snarled a nod, making her flinch. Castle doors yawned open; Lars loomed on the threshold, fake welcome beaming. "Girls! Back safe." Arms wide, Vanessa dove in, bawling like a kid in his hold. I stood stock-still. This cold fish of a father lit up for her alone-me? Strangers, basically. His gaze on me screamed it: no joy, just sly malice and cunning. Inside the keep, Granny shuffled from the back, face ashen but unbound. Spotting me, her eyes sparked: "Selene..." I lunged, hugging her tight, voice quaking: "Granny, I'm here. You're okay now." "Okay?" Lars cleared his throat, door thudding shut. That grin shattered, baring fangs. "Not done yet, Selene. Company? Changed my mind. Ice Moon Press is mine. Won't cough it up. Granny can stay, 'recovering'-elders'll tend her. But you? Marry again." Blood turned to slush in my veins. Granny's grip crushed mine; I shook. "Lars, what the fuck?" He lounged against the wall, arms crossed, eyes slitting like a fox burrowing. "Wed Blood Shade's Alpha. The 'demon.' Alliance. Vanessa's crippled-jail souvenir, you get it. Can't send her. So you go. Secure him, buy pack peace. Or... Granny's 'care' ends." I laughed, chest aching with it. Crippled? What a joke. "Lars, you're nuts? Last proxy bride stunt-you not scared it'll piss off the demon king? Blood Shade's Damien Hale, butcher incarnate. You tell him 'eldest's busted, youngest steps up'? He'll rip you apart." Lars's smirk turned uglier, lips hooking wide. "Rip me? Ha-he needs the match. Blood Shade's decay curse craves pure-blood Luna sacrifice. Vanessa's wrecked... unfit now." He paused, eyes flicking to her-cold as a blade. Vanessa paled, shrinking back: "Dad, what're you- Words cut short. Lars lunged, wolf-quick, snatching a log and cracking it on her shin-snap, bone-grind 15:18 96.97% echoing. Vanessa wailed, curling fetal, face a mask of agony. "Dad! Ahhh! You..." I froze, gut heaving. "Lars, you... you animal! Even your precious eldest-you won't spare her?" "For Ice Moon Pack. For her own good-that leg's worth it. She'll heal." Lars chucked the stick, calm as squashing a bug. "Now she's crippled. Get it, Selene? Alliance falls to you. Wed Damien Hale, his Luna. Or Granny doesn't walk-consequences you know." Vanessa twitched on the floor, tears streaming in pain, but she craned up, grinning at me-twisted, venomous, poison-dipped dagger. "Ha... Selene, bingo. You're in the demon pit now. That devil Alpha's sacrifice fodder... Your fire mark? Born for it. Go on, little slut. Let the Moon Goddess claim you! Your cabbie hubby's done-how's he fight a blood-mad king?" My world cracked. Fool me-again-into Lars's snare. First time? Regret burned not telling Aaron, but too late. No out. Lars's fox eyes narrowed, savoring triumph sly as sin. He barked orders; goons bound me, his grin smug: "Agree, daughter dear. Or... you don't want Granny dying, do you?" Leave a comment 3518 97.3%