The woods surrounding Storybrooke had always been a place where Selene felt at home. The towering pines whispered secrets to her, the crunch of leaves beneath her boots grounded her, and the faint scent of prey in the air reminded her that she was, above all, a survivor. The frost of early morning clung to the branches, and the first light of dawn cast long shadows across the forest floor.
Selene crouched low, her silver-streaked fur blending with the dappled light. Her wolf form was lean and powerful, every muscle honed by years of survival. The doe ahead of her grazed peacefully, unaware of the danger lurking in the underbrush. Selene's amber eyes locked onto her prey, her breathing steady as she waited for the perfect moment to strike.
Just as she prepared to pounce, a faint scent wafted through the air—smoke, faint but unmistakable. Selene froze, her ears swiveling toward the source. Smoke meant fire, and fire meant people. Her jaw clenched as she reluctantly shifted back into her human form. Her silver eyes scanned the horizon, her instincts telling her to investigate. Tugging her cloak tighter around her shoulders, she moved silently toward the source.
The smell grew stronger, mingled with the faint aroma of roasted meat. Selene's sharp eyes caught a flicker of orange through the trees—a small campfire crackling in a clearing. She crept closer, her steps noiseless, until she saw the figure hunched over the flames.
The man looked ordinary enough—young, perhaps in his late twenties, with tousled brown hair and a scruffy beard. His clothes were simple: a plaid shirt, hiking boots, and a worn backpack propped against a tree. He whistled softly to himself as he turned a skewer of meat over the fire.
Selene frowned. Campers weren't unusual, but something about this man felt... off. He was too relaxed, too perfectly at ease in a place as isolated as these woods. She stepped into the clearing, her voice sharp and commanding.
"You're trespassing."
The man looked up, startled, but his expression quickly melted into an easy smile. "Whoa, didn't mean to intrude. Just passing through." He gestured to the fire. "Hungry? There's plenty."
Selene didn't move closer. Her gaze flicked to the fire, then back to the man. "This isn't a camping ground. People don't just 'pass through' these woods."
He shrugged, unfazed. "What can I say? I like the road less traveled. Name's Marcus, by the way." He extended a hand, but Selene ignored it.
"Leave," she said flatly.
Marcus sighed, leaning back against a log. "You're a tough one, huh? Not much for small talk."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "I don't waste time on strangers who don't belong here."
Marcus chuckled, the sound low and unhurried. "Fair enough. But you know, I've got the feeling you don't talk much to anyone these days."
Selene stiffened. "You don't know anything about me."
"Don't I?" Marcus tilted his head, studying her. "A lone wolf, wandering these woods, keeping to herself. Chasing shadows, trying to outrun ghosts. You've been carrying a lot, haven't you, Selene?"
Her name falling from his lips was like a slap. Selene's hand instinctively moved toward the dagger at her belt. "How do you know my name?"
Marcus held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Relax. I'm not here to hurt you. Quite the opposite, actually."
"I don't care why you're here," Selene growled. "You've got five seconds to get out before I make you."
Marcus didn't move. Instead, he picked up a twig and idly poked at the fire. "You're angry. That's good. Anger keeps you alive. But you and I both know it's not enough, is it? It doesn't fill the void."
Selene's fingers tightened around the hilt of her dagger. "Keep talking, and I'll show you exactly what my anger can do."
Marcus met her gaze, his brown eyes calm but piercing. "Your mother was the same way. Maeve, wasn't it? Strong, loyal, but so angry at the world. She taught you to survive, didn't she? But she couldn't save herself."
The mention of Maeve was like a punch to the gut. Selene's breath hitched, and her grip on the dagger faltered for a moment. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice low and dangerous.
"I'm someone who understands," Marcus said simply. "I know what it's like to lose everything. To feel abandoned. Betrayed."
Selene's jaw tightened. "You don't know anything about me."
"Oh, but I do," Marcus said softly, his tone almost sympathetic. "I know you were just a child when your world fell apart. I know you've spent your whole life wondering why. Why she left. Why Regina didn't save her. Why you were left to fend for yourself."
"Shut up," Selene snapped, her voice trembling with fury.
Marcus stood slowly, his movements calm and deliberate. "It's not your fault, you know. It never was. But you deserve answers. Justice. Don't you?"
Selene's eyes burned with unshed tears. "What do you know about justice?"
Marcus smiled faintly. "More than you think. And I know this—Regina can't give you what you need. She's too busy playing queen, protecting her precious pack, bonding with her human. She's forgotten you. Forgotten Maeve. But you haven't forgotten her, have you?"
Selene's hand shook as she pointed her dagger at him. "Stop saying her name."
"Why?" Marcus asked, his voice gentle but relentless. "Because it hurts? Because deep down, you know she failed you? Failed Maeve? You've been carrying that pain for so long, Selene. Don't you think it's time to do something about it?"
Selene stared at him, her breath coming in sharp, uneven bursts. His words cut deeper than any blade, dredging up memories she had buried, wounds she had tried to ignore.
"What do you want from me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Marcus stepped closer, his gaze steady and unyielding. "I want you to take back what's yours. To make Regina answer for her mistakes. For her betrayals."
Selene's heart pounded in her chest. She hated the way his words resonated, the way they gave voice to the thoughts she had tried to suppress. "And why do you care?"
Marcus smiled, a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Because we both know she doesn't deserve to be queen. But you? You have the strength to make her pay. To take her place."
Selene's grip on the dagger tightened. The fire crackled between them, its glow casting flickering shadows on their faces. For a moment, the forest was silent, save for the distant rustle of leaves in the breeze.
Marcus leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Think about it, Selene. Everything she's taken from you. Everything you've lost. Don't you want it back?"
Selene didn't answer. She turned and walked away, her mind a storm of anger, grief, and doubt. But Marcus's voice lingered in her ears, his words echoing in the darkest corners of her mind.
As she disappeared into the trees, Marcus watched her go, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. He knelt by the fire, tossing another twig into the flames.
"She'll come around," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire. "They always do."
The streets of Storybrooke were quiet, the usual hum of life muted under the cloak of night. The town had taken on an eerie stillness, the faint glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the sidewalks. Selene walked aimlessly, her boots echoing against the empty pavement. The cool night air brushed against her skin, but it did little to temper the storm raging inside her.
Marcus's words replayed in her mind, each one like a needle pricking at her composure. "She's forgotten you. Forgotten Maeve. But you haven't forgotten her, have you?"
Selene's fists clenched at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. The memory of her mother was like a phantom, hovering just out of reach but close enough to haunt her. Maeve's voice, her gentle hands, her fierce determination to keep Selene safe—they were all fragments now, pieces of a life Selene could never reclaim. And yet, Marcus's accusations had stirred something in her, a raw, unrelenting anger that refused to be silenced.
Her gaze lifted as she wandered toward the heart of town. Most of the buildings were dark, their windows lifeless, but the faint glow of light streaming from the upper windows of Town Hall caught her attention. Selene stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat. She knew who was there. Regina.
Selene's breaths quickened as conflicting emotions warred within her. Anger, grief, and doubt tangled together, pulling her in opposing directions. She wasn't sure what she was doing, or even what she wanted, but her feet carried her forward anyway.
Regina sat hunched over her desk in her office, the dim light of a single lamp illuminating the stacks of paperwork scattered before her. She had been playing catch-up all evening, making up for the days spent in the hospital and the chaos that had followed. Her amber eyes flicked over the pages, though her focus was less on the words and more on the quietness around her.
Henry was spending the night with his grandparents, and Emma had taken it upon herself to join him. For the first time in what felt like forever, Regina had the house—and her thoughts—to herself. But the stillness felt heavier than it should have, pressing against her chest like a weight she couldn't shake.
The faint creak of the building's front door pulled Regina from her thoughts. Her head snapped up, her senses instantly alert. She listened closely, the soft sound of footsteps growing louder as they ascended the stairs. Regina's magic hummed faintly, instinctively reaching out to identify the presence. When the door to her office opened, she was already on her feet.
Selene stood in the doorway, her silver eyes piercing and cold. She looked every bit the predator she was—calculated, deliberate, and unpredictable. Regina didn't flinch, though the tension in the room was palpable.
"I thought you might come," Regina said, her voice calm but edged with wariness. She gestured to the chair opposite her desk. "Sit."
Selene didn't move. "You expected me?"
Regina folded her arms, leaning slightly against her desk. "I know the Keepers have been circling you. I'd be surprised if they hadn't tried to manipulate you by now."
Selene's lips twitched into a bitter smile. "So you knew. And you didn't stop them?"
"I knew they'd try," Regina admitted, her gaze steady. "But I also knew you'd see through their lies."
Selene stepped into the office, letting the door swing shut behind her. Her movements were measured, but her anger simmered just beneath the surface. "What if their lies weren't lies? What if what they said about you was true?"
Regina's expression didn't waver. "What did they say?"
Selene's hands curled into fists. "That you abandoned us. That you let Maeve die. You let all of us die."
Regina's composure faltered for a split second, the mention of Maeve hitting a nerve she hadn't expected. "That's not true."
"Isn't it?" Selene's voice rose, sharp and accusatory. "You had power. You were the queen. You could have saved her, but you didn't. She died because of you. They died because of you."
Regina's eyes softened, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. "Selene, I tried—"
"Don't," Selene snapped, cutting her off. "Don't you dare tell me you tried. If you had, she wouldn't have been alone. I wouldn't have been alone."
The words hung heavy in the air, their weight pressing down on both women. Regina's throat tightened as she took a cautious step forward. "Selene, your mother was brave. She gave everything to protect you. I wanted to help, but Leonard—"
"Leonard?" Selene spat the name like venom. "You let him control you. You let him dictate everything. And now you want to stand here and tell me you cared?"
Regina's amber eyes glistened, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I did care. More than you'll ever know."
Selene laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and sharp. "You cared? That's rich, coming from someone who's built herself a new pack, a new family, while the rest of us were left to rot."
"That's not fair," Regina said, her tone firm. "I've done everything I can to make things right. For everyone."
"Everyone but me," Selene countered, stepping closer. Her silver eyes burned with anger and unshed tears. "Do you even remember her? Do you even think about what you took from us? from all of us?"
Regina's voice cracked as she replied, "I think about it every day."
Selene froze, her breath catching in her throat. For the first time, the anger in Regina's eyes softened into something deeper—something raw and vulnerable. The admission cut through Selene's rage like a knife, leaving her standing there, unsure of what to say.
Regina took another step forward, her voice steady but heavy with emotion. "I failed her. I failed you. And I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life. But if you think for one second that I didn't care—if you think I didn't fight for her—you're wrong."
Selene's hands trembled at her sides. "Then why does it still feel like she died for nothing?"
Regina's gaze softened. "Because it wasn't fair. And it wasn't right. But it wasn't for nothing. She gave her life for you, Selene. So you could survive. And you have. Despite everything, you've survived."
The words hit Selene harder than she expected. She turned away, her chest heaving as she fought to keep her composure. Regina didn't press further, letting the silence stretch between them.
After a long moment, Selene spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can forgive you."
Regina nodded, her expression somber. "I don't expect you to. But I'll keep trying to earn it."
Selene turned back, her silver eyes meeting Regina's amber ones. For the first time, the anger in her gaze wavered, replaced by something softer—something uncertain.
"Why?" Selene asked. "Why do you care?"
Regina smiled faintly, the warmth in her expression catching Selene off guard. "Because I see her in you. And I won't fail you the way I failed her."
The words hung between them, heavy with meaning. Selene didn't respond. Instead, she turned and left the office, the door clicking softly behind her.
Regina stood there, her hands trembling slightly as she leaned against her desk. The encounter had shaken her more than she wanted to admit, but she knew one thing for certain—this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
In the darkened streets of Storybrooke, a quiet malice brewed beneath the surface. Hidden deep in the underground basement of an unassuming building, the Keepers worked in silence. The faint glow of candlelight illuminated their cold, calculating faces as they meticulously prepared the poisoned apple turnover. Each movement was precise, deliberate—a ritual perfected over centuries of deceit and manipulation.
The air in the chamber was thick with the scent of burnt sugar and something acrid, a faint bitterness that hinted at the venom they infused into the pastry. Marcus, his expression cold and focused, watched the process with approval.
"By morning," he murmured, his voice low and sharp, "this will find its way to Henry Mills. The Queen will be distracted, her bond weakened, and our path to victory assured."
The Keepers nodded in unison, their silence more chilling than any words.
Outside, the first drops of rain fell, soft at first, then building into a steady downpour. Selene stood just beyond the steps of Town Hall, her mind a chaotic whirlwind. The storm mirrored her inner conflict, each raindrop a reminder of the tumult she couldn't silence.
She's lying. She has to be lying.
Regina's words echoed in her mind, pulling at the fragile threads of her certainty. The image of her mother, Maeve, burned brighter than anything else. Her mother's voice, her sacrifices, her love—how could someone who claimed to care so much have let it all happen? How can her mother speak so highly of her and let it all happen?
Selene let out a sharp breath, her hands trembling. The rain soaked her hair, plastering it to her face as she turned toward the square. Her bare feet splashed in the growing puddles as she paced, the weight of her anger too much to bear.
When the heavy doors of Town Hall creaked open, Selene froze. Regina stepped out, locking the door behind her. She looked tired, her movements slow, her head bowed against the rain.
Selene's heart raced, her fury bubbling to the surface. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. "You're lying!" she screamed, her voice slicing through the sound of the rain.
Regina turned slowly, her amber eyes meeting Selene's. She didn't flinch, didn't react. She simply stood there, letting the rain drench her as if she had expected this moment.
Selene's scream turned into a guttural roar, and in the blink of an eye, she began to shift. Bones cracked and elongated, her form twisting as fur rippled across her skin. When the transformation was complete, she stood as a massive wolf, her silver-streaked fur gleaming under the streetlights. Her eyes glowed with fury, sharp and unrelenting.
Regina didn't move. She met Selene's gaze, her expression calm, resigned. Then, with a soft sigh, she shifted as well. Her body transformed, the familiar crackle of magic threading through the air as her black fur shimmered into existence. Rain streaked down her massive form, mixing with the blood-red glow of her piercing eyes.
Selene growled low in her throat, circling Regina like a predator stalking its prey. "You don't care," she snarled. "You never did."
Regina remained silent, her posture low and defensive. She didn't growl back, didn't bare her teeth. She simply watched, waiting for the inevitable.
Selene lunged first, her claws slicing through the rain as she charged. Regina dodged, her movements swift but calculated. Selene's paw struck the ground where Regina had been standing, sending water spraying into the air.
"You let her die!" Selene roared, swiping at Regina again. This time, her claws caught the edge of Regina's shoulder, leaving three deep gashes in her fur. Blood seeped into the rain, but Regina didn't retaliate. She simply turned, keeping her distance.
Selene's rage only grew. She lunged again, snapping her jaws at Regina's throat. Regina ducked, her body twisting to avoid the strike. Selene spun on her heels, slamming her shoulder into Regina's side and sending her sprawling into the mud.
From the diner, Ruby heard the commotion. She dropped the rag she'd been using to clean the counter and bolted outside. The sight that greeted her stopped her in her tracks—Selene, wild and relentless, attacking Regina in the middle of the square. But what shocked her most was Regina's reaction. She wasn't fighting back.
Ruby ran forward, but Regina's sharp growl stopped her in her tracks. "Stay back!" Regina commanded, her voice rough and guttural in her wolf form.
"But—" Ruby began.
"I said stay back!" Regina's amber eyes flicked toward Ruby, filled with a fierce determination that left no room for argument.
Selene didn't pause. She lunged at Regina again, her claws raking across her side. Regina stumbled, her legs trembling under her weight, but she didn't strike back. She simply dodged and twisted, letting Selene land blow after blow.
"Fight me!" Selene roared, her voice raw with pain and anger. "Stop running! Stop hiding!"
Regina didn't respond. She let Selene's words wash over her, each one like a lash against her soul. Another swipe of claws caught her flank, and she staggered, her blood mixing with the rain.
Selene snapped at her again, this time catching her foreleg. Regina yelped in pain, her body crumpling slightly under the weight of the attack. Still, she didn't strike back.
Ruby watched in horror, her claws extending instinctively. The rest of the pack began to gather at the edges of the square, their eyes wide with disbelief. This wasn't how an alpha fought. This wasn't how Regina fought.
Selene snarled, her teeth bared as she circled Regina. "You don't even care enough to fight me," she spat. "You're a coward."
Regina's voice was soft, almost inaudible over the rain. "If this is what you need, Selene… then take it."
Selene froze for a fraction of a second, her silver eyes narrowing. The rain poured down around them, the sound filling the silence between them.
Then she lunged again.
This time, Regina didn't dodge. She braced herself, letting Selene slam into her with full force. The impact sent them both skidding across the muddy ground, Selene's teeth sinking into Regina's shoulder.
For a moment, it seemed as though Selene would tear her apart. But as the blood pooled around them, Selene hesitated. She could feel Regina's heartbeat, steady and unyielding, even as she lay pinned beneath her.
Regina's red eyes met Selene's silver ones, calm and unwavering. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice strained but sincere.
Selene's grip faltered. The weight of those two words, the raw emotion behind them, cut through her anger like a blade. She stepped back, her body trembling as she shifted back into her human form. Rain slicked her hair to her face, her chest heaving as she stared down at Regina.
Regina shifted too, her body battered and bloodied. She knelt in the mud, her head bowed, her breaths shallow.
"I can't change the past," Regina said, her voice breaking. "But I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it right."
Selene's hands trembled at her sides. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find the words. Instead, she turned and disappeared into the rain, leaving Regina kneeling in the square, surrounded by her pack.
Ruby stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "We need to get you home."
Regina nodded weakly, her body slumping against Ruby as the pack closed in around them. But even as they helped her to her feet, her eyes remained on the spot where Selene had vanished into the storm.
Ruby steadied Regina as they entered the front door of her home. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, leaving them both damp and chilled. The house was warm, the soft glow of the lamps casting long shadows on the freshly painted walls. Ruby glanced around, the newly repaired living room a stark contrast to the blood and chaos it had once held.
"Go take a shower," Ruby said softly, nudging Regina toward the stairs. "I'll stay down here."
Regina hesitated, her amber eyes heavy with exhaustion. She gave a faint nod before turning toward the stairs, her steps slow and deliberate as if every movement weighed her down.
Ruby exhaled deeply, collapsing onto the couch. She ran a hand through her damp hair, her mind racing. She replayed the fight in the square, the way Regina had refused to retaliate, the pain etched into her face as she endured every blow. And that other wolf—Selene. The name lingered in Ruby's mind, though she didn't know why.
Upstairs, Regina let the hot water wash over her, steam filling the bathroom as she scrubbed the blood and mud from her skin. Her wounds stung, the deep gashes a painful reminder of Selene's rage. Yet it wasn't the physical pain that haunted her—it was the look in Selene's eyes. The betrayal. The anger. The grief.
When the water ran cold, Regina stepped out, wrapping herself in a plush towel. She changed into a set of silk pajamas, the cool fabric soothing against her aching skin. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she reached for a small jar of Lunaria Balm on her nightstand. The pale, lavender-scented cream shimmered faintly under the light, its magical properties designed to speed up healing.
She dipped her fingers into the jar and began rubbing it onto the wounds she could reach. Her breath hissed through her teeth as the balm seeped into the torn flesh, a mix of burning and cooling sensations that made her muscles tighten.
A knock on the door broke her focus. "Come in," she called, her voice hoarse.
Ruby stepped inside, holding a glass of water. She set it on the nightstand before crossing her arms, her gaze softening as she took in Regina's slumped form. Without a word, Ruby took the jar from Regina's hands.
"Let me," Ruby said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Regina sighed but shifted forward, allowing Ruby to sit behind her on the bed. Ruby's fingers were gentle as she applied the balm to the long gashes on Regina's back, her movements steady and precise.
"Why didn't you fight her?" Ruby asked after a moment, her voice quiet but filled with curiosity. "That's not like you, Regina."
Regina tilted her head slightly, a faint, wry smile tugging at her lips. "Ah, the glamorous life of an alpha," she quipped, but the joke fell flat.
Ruby wasn't deterred. "No, really. Who was she?"
Regina was silent for a long moment, her amber eyes fixed on the glass of water. Finally, she spoke, her voice low and measured. "Her name is Selene. She's angry… at me."
"For what?"
Regina hesitated, the weight of the past pressing down on her. "Her mother, Maeve, was part of Leonard's pack. He saw her as weak, a wildcard. Leonard decided they were both disposable when she gave birth to Selene."
Ruby's hands stilled, her eyes narrowing. "Disposable?"
"He planned to kill them," Regina said, her voice tight. "But I couldn't let that happen. I helped Maeve escape, gave her supplies, and showed her a path Leonard's patrols didn't monitor. It wasn't much, but it was all I could do."
Ruby resumed applying the balm, her movements slower now. "And Selene doesn't know this?"
Regina shook her head. "She knows I was there. She knows Leonard ruled with cruelty, and that many died under his reign. But all she sees is that I survived, and her mother didn't."
"That's not fair," Ruby muttered, her voice sharp with anger.
"Life under Leonard never was," Regina said bitterly. She shifted slightly, wincing as the movement pulled at her wounds. "I couldn't save everyone, Ruby. And for the ones I did save, it was never enough."
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Ruby finished applying the balm and set the jar back on the nightstand. She moved to sit beside Regina, her expression unreadable.
"You did what you could," Ruby said finally, her voice softer now. "That has to count for something."
Regina gave a faint nod, her gaze distant. "I hope so."
Far beneath the quiet streets of Storybrooke, the Keepers convened in their hidden lair. The scent of apples and cinnamon filled the air, masking the acrid tang of poison as they carefully sealed the turnovers into a small, unassuming box.
Marcus inspected the pastries with a cold smile. "Perfect," he murmured. "By morning, this will be delivered. A simple treat, left on their doorstep. By the time they realize what it is, it will be too late."
The others nodded, their faces shrouded in shadow.
"What about Selene?" one of them asked. "Do you think she'll follow through?"
"She's a useful distraction," Marcus replied. "Her anger makes her predictable. Let her lash out at Regina. It will keep the Queen occupied while we deal with the boy."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the group.
"And what of Regina?" another Keeper asked.
Marcus's smile widened. "She won't see it coming. By the time she realizes what we've done, it will all be over."
Back at Regina's home, the quiet was broken only by the soft rustle of sheets as she settled into bed. Ruby had insisted on staying the night, her protective instincts on high alert.
Outside, the streets were silent, the storm long passed. But hidden in the shadows of the grandparents' loft, a small box sat innocuously by the door, waiting for dawn.