> "Not every meal is meant to be survived."
---
Three days after the wedding slaughter, the Devil Alpha sent another invitation.
A golden scroll. Dripping wax sealed with a screaming wolf's skull.
It read:
> To the Hollow Moon's howling darling,
Come dine with me.
One seat. One blade.
Either your stomach turns—or your mind does.
Bring your best smile.
—D.A.
Selene burned the scroll before finishing.
But she already knew—
> She was going.
---
The Feast of the Flayed was a myth.
A dinner party hosted once every blood eclipse—where powerful wolves, cursed immortals, and nightmare-born creatures feasted not on food…
…but on memory.
Each bite devoured a piece of your mind.
You remembered less. You felt less. Until you weren't yourself anymore.
That was the price of the Devil Alpha's favor.
Selene had to attend.
Not just to spy…
…but to steal something.
The Soulbrand Dagger.
The only weapon that could permanently kill a blood-bound Alpha.
And it was said to be displayed—mockingly—as the centerpiece of the Devil's table.
---
Vira: "You're insane."
Ghostfang (carving into bark): 'Not worth it.'
Aradia: "Then I'm going with you."
Selene shook her head. "Too risky."
Aradia smiled. "I've been a bride. I've worn worse."
---
Selene disguised herself with magic:
– A wolfskin veil
– Inked runes to blur her aura
– Liquid silver in her throat to suppress her howl
And her name, whispered only once:
> Lunaria, daughter of ash.
---
The feast took place in a cursed ballroom made from bones and glass. Skulls lined the chandeliers. The table stretched forever.
Guests included:
– A blind seer with mouths instead of eyes
– A child-king who drank blood from a goblet of skin
– A siren with fangs where her hair should be
And at the head…
The Devil Alpha.
In a cloak made from the pelts of slain betas.
He rose as Selene entered.
"Lunaria," he smiled. "How divine you look."
Selene curtsied, hiding her hate.
The feast began.
---
First course: Memory broth.
Second: Tongue of kin.
Third: Heartwine—fermented sorrow.
Each bite whispered lies into her mind:
> "Your name is Lunaria."
"You have no sister."
"You were never betrayed."
"The Devil loves you."
Selene bit her tongue, literally.
She bled—her blood anchored her.
And while the guests ate, she reached for the Soulbrand Dagger—its black metal pulsing.
But the Devil Alpha's hand closed over hers.
He whispered in her ear—
> "I knew it was you the moment you didn't flinch at the heartwine."
Selene didn't move.
"Then why let me get this far?" she asked, voice icy.
"Because I wanted to see," he murmured, "how much of you was left."
He stood.
"Let's find out."
---
The ballroom exploded into screams.
Chairs turned into snakes. Plates bit back. The floor cracked open to reveal a pit of soulfire.
Selene unsheathed the Soulbrand and slashed a siren in half. Spun. Duck. Stabbed.
The dagger howled with every kill.
The Devil came at her like thunder.
Their claws met midair. Fire versus shadow.
"You think this blade will save you?" he growled.
"No," Selene snapped. "I will."
And with a roar, she kicked him into the soulfire pit—
Then leapt after him.
---
They fell for eternity.
Fighting.
Biting.
Bleeding.
Their souls crashing against one another.
Until…
Selene rose alone.
Burned. Wounded. But alive.
The dagger now embedded in her palm.
It had chosen her.
---
She returned to the Hollow a day later.
Collapsing into Aradia's arms.
"I got it," she whispered. "I got the thing that kills him."
Aradia kissed her forehead. "Then let's write his eulogy in blood."