Moonlit Vows

Morning sunlight streamed through Selene's bedroom window as she tossed and turned, unable to shake the lingering tension from the night before. The events of the forest replayed in her mind like a broken record: Kael's transformation, the vampire's mocking voice, and Kael's promise to protect her.

But Kael was wrong. She wasn't going to wait around while danger closed in. She needed to learn how to defend herself.

By the time afternoon rolled around, Selene was back at the edge of the forest. She didn't have a plan—just a fierce determination to find Kael.

"Back so soon?" a familiar voice drawled from above.

Selene jumped, glancing up to see Damon perched on a low-hanging branch, his grin as cocky as ever.

"Do you people ever enter a scene like normal human beings?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"We're not normal humans," Damon replied with a smirk, dropping down effortlessly. "But I'll bite. What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to Kael," she said.

"Of course you do." Damon's grin widened. "Don't worry, he'll show up. He always does when it's you."

Before Selene could respond, a low growl echoed through the trees. She turned to see Kael approaching, his expression unreadable.

"What are you doing here, Selene?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with tension.

"I want you to teach me," she said, stepping forward.

"Teach you what?"

"How to defend myself," she replied, her jaw set. "You said I was part of this now. Fine. But I'm not going to sit around and wait to be attacked again. I want to be ready."

Kael studied her for a long moment, his blue eyes flickering with something unreadable. Finally, he sighed. "This isn't a game, Selene. It's dangerous."

"So is doing nothing," she countered. "Please, Kael. I need to do this."

Damon let out a low whistle. "Looks like she's got you cornered, Alpha."

Kael shot him a glare. "Fine," he said at last, turning back to Selene. "But you're going to regret asking for this."

---

Training began that afternoon in a secluded clearing deep in the forest. Kael instructed Selene to wear something comfortable, but she quickly regretted not asking for more specifics.

"Push-ups first," Kael said, standing with his arms crossed.

"Push-ups?" she repeated, staring at him incredulously. "I thought you were going to teach me to fight."

"You won't last five seconds in a fight if you can't build strength first," he replied.

Selene groaned but dropped to the ground and started pushing herself up and down. By the tenth one, her arms felt like jelly.

"That's it?" Damon teased from the sidelines, where he'd decided to lounge on a fallen log. "I thought you had more fight in you, human."

"Shut up," Selene grunted, forcing herself to keep going.

Kael's lips twitched in what might have been amusement. "Enough. Get up."

Selene staggered to her feet, panting. "What's next?"

Kael handed her a wooden staff. "Balance and reflexes."

He demonstrated a series of quick, fluid movements, spinning the staff like it was an extension of his body. Then he tossed it back to her. "Your turn."

Selene gripped the staff and tried to mimic his movements, but it quickly became clear that grace was not her strong suit. The staff wobbled in her hands, and her footing was clumsy at best.

"Focus," Kael said, stepping behind her. He placed his hands over hers, guiding her movements.

The sudden closeness made Selene's breath catch. His warmth and the firm grip of his hands sent a jolt through her, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside, determined to concentrate.

"Better," Kael said after a moment, stepping back.

Damon smirked. "She's not terrible. For a beginner."

Selene glared at him. "Glad to know I've earned your approval."

"Don't get cocky," Kael warned. "This is only the beginning."

---

As the sun began to set, Selene collapsed onto the grass, exhausted but exhilarated. Her arms ached, her legs felt like lead, and her entire body was drenched in sweat, but for the first time in days, she felt like she was taking control.

"Not bad," Kael admitted, sitting down beside her.

Selene managed a tired smile. "High praise coming from you."

He chuckled softly, and for a moment, the tension between them eased.

"You're serious about this," Kael said, his tone quieter.

"I have to be," Selene replied. "I'm not like you, Kael. I don't have super strength or claws or… whatever else you can do. But I won't just stand by and let myself be a victim."

Kael's expression softened, and for a moment, she thought he might argue. But instead, he nodded. "I respect that."

Damon wandered over, stretching lazily. "Well, this was fun, but I'm starving. What's for dinner, boss?"

Kael rolled his eyes. "Go back to the den, Damon."

"Fine, fine," Damon said, flashing Selene a grin. "Nice work, human. Maybe next time, you'll actually hit something."

Selene laughed despite herself as Damon disappeared into the trees.

"Does he ever stop talking?" she asked.

"No," Kael said with a smirk. "But he means well."

Selene sat up, brushing the dirt off her hands. "What now?"

"Now you go home and rest," Kael said. "We'll pick this up tomorrow."

"And you?"

Kael's smile faded. "I have work to do."

Selene frowned, sensing his unease. "Kael… you don't have to do everything alone."

He looked at her, his eyes shadowed with an emotion she couldn't quite name. "I've been alone for a long time, Selene. It's how I keep people safe."

Her chest tightened at his words. "You don't have to be," she said softly.

Kael didn't respond, but the look in his eyes said enough.

As she made her way back home, Selene couldn't help but feel that their bond was growing stronger. Whether Kael liked it or not, she wasn't going anywhere—and neither, it seemed, was he.