The letter burned in Selena's hand, but not from magic. From memory.
She stepped into the D'Archer estate's sitting room, the red velvet curtains casting shadows across the floor. Her mother and father were already waiting, seated like royalty on matching antique chairs. A teapot steamed gently between them.
Her mother smiled eagerly. "Well? How did it go?"
Selena didn't sit. She dropped the folder onto the table instead Damien's contract. Still unsigned.
Her father raised an eyebrow. "You refused?"
"No," Selena said coolly. "I rewrote it."
The room fell silent.
"You what?" her mother asked, blinking rapidly.
"I added my own clauses," Selena replied. "Non-negotiable."
Her father picked up the folder and flipped through the pages. His eyes narrowed.
"You refused to relinquish D'Archer land holdings?"
"I'm not handing him a kingdom while wearing a pretty dress," Selena said flatly. "Clause two states I retain full control over all D'Archer properties until the contract is fulfilled and I say when it is."
Her mother looked horrified. "You're challenging an Alpha's authority"
"I'm protecting myself." Her voice was sharp now. "And I'm not finished."
Selena pulled out a second page her own addendum to the contract. Handwritten, sealed with her personal signet.
"I've added conditions:"
No public announcement of Luna status until after the wedding.
No merging of pack titles until both parties agree.
Right of annulment if trust is broken or evidence of manipulation arises.
Any betrayal: emotional, physical, political, voids the agreement.
Her mother nearly choked on her tea. "You... you added a termination clause?"
Her father leaned back in his chair, watching her like she was a stranger.
"Selena," he said slowly, "this isn't how things are done."
Selena met his eyes not defiantly, but with something stronger: purpose.
"Then perhaps it's time things were done differently."
By evening, her letter and the rewritten contract were delivered to Blackthorn Estate by messenger wolf.
Selena stood at her balcony, watching the moon rise as Maia quietly brought her a fresh cloak.
"You're really doing it," the maid whispered.
Selena didn't respond right away. The stars blinked overhead like they remembered everything too.
"I lost everything once," Selena said finally. "This time, I set the rules."
At Blackthorn Estate… Damien leaned back in his chair, contract pages spread across his desk.
Lucas stood near the window, arms folded. "She returned it?"
Damien didn't answer. His eyes were scanning the new clauses.
"She changed everything," he said after a pause. "The terms, the timeline... the consequences."
Lucas whistled softly. "She's not afraid of you. Not even a little."
Damien tapped the page where Selena had written in bold ink:
> "I do not serve. I partner. This is not a fairy tale it's a transaction. And I intend to profit."
A corner of his mouth lifted. Not quite a smile something darker.
"She's different," Damien muttered.
Lucas turned. "Do you still want her?"
Damien didn't look up. "Now I want to see how far she'll go."
That night... Selena lit a single candle in her room and opened a journal leather-bound, old, and worn, Inside were names.
People who betrayed her, People who used her, People she would not forget.
She circled two names in red: Elira D'Archer, Countess Virelle
She flipped the page and paused. There was Damien's name. She hesitated, Her hand hovered over the ink, But she didn't circle him. Not yet.
The following morning, a new letter arrived Gold-edged, Embossed, Formal.
> "The Alpha of Blackthorn Estate formally invites Lady Selena D'Archer to attend the Moonlight Council Gala as his contracted fiancée. Your presence is expected. Attire formal. Politics sharper."
Selena folded the letter slowly, She rang for Maia.
"Prepare a dress. And send a message to Elira."
Maia frowned.
"You want your sister to come with you?"
Selena smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I want her exactly where I can see her."