Selene's POV
Silence ensued until a loud yelp broke through the room. "What the hell do you think you are doing? How dare you hit me with a bottle?"
I tilted my head calmly, listening to his heartbeat, which was filled with rage and embarrassment.
Taking small steps forward, I cleared my throat. "Let me introduce myself properly," I said, a smirk crossing my lips. "I am the blind nobody, the fake daughter but I am still your Luna and you'll respect my authority!"
An eerie silence fell over the room. Through the pack bond, I felt their rage. They hadn't expected me to be here, hadn't expected me to fight back and I almost let out a chuckle.
A soft voice echoed across the room, shattering the tension. "Leo wake up, Selene's here," Isabella uttered.
I didn't need my eyes to see what was happening, I could feel it in my bones. Her scent, sultry voice, and body were wrapped tightly around him. They weren't even official yet but their scents were already tangled.
"Selene?" I heard Leo's call out. His voice was sober like he had been doused in water. "Why are you here?"
I remained silent and then he began to walk slowly toward me and reached for me, his hand brushing mine gently but I yanked it away harshly.
I could feel his disbelief and anger through our bond. Never have I denied his touch in the two years that we've been mates.
The tension in the room got thicker. The pack members remained quiet, no one daring to breathe for fear of the unknown.
Leo's alpha authority filled the air. He closed the distance between us, bringing his mouth close to my ear.
"Selene," he warned, his voice laced with his alpha authority.
The old me would have crumbled, bowed, and begged for forgiveness but not anymore, I was no longer that fool.
Despite trying to appear strong, my emotions betrayed me. My lips trembled and my voice came out broken. "Leo, tell me the truth, do you still love me? Have you ever loved me? Or did you stay with me because of the mate bond? Has your heart always belonged to Amelia?"
I felt him stiffen under my touch. For a second, his heartbeat flattered. My wolf Nina, growled angrily in my head, ready to pounce on the mate who was supposed to love us forever. I didn't need eyes to see his guilt, his hesitation said it all.
Then he forced out a dry laugh. "What are you saying, Selene? That's preposterous. You are my mate, my Luna, and the mother of my pup. Of course, I am head over heels in love with you."
How could he lie so easily and to my face? Tears pricked the back of my eyelids but I held them in.
"Your friends, they said it. They said I wasn't good enough for you or the pack, that accepted the bond out of pity, and that you and Amelia are meant for each other."
The air grew heavy with tension, and I could smell their fear. Fear of what their alpha might do to them.
Immediately they began to scramble towards me, some holding my hand.
"Luna, forgive us. We were drunk."
"We didn't mean it, your highness. Please don't take it seriously."
"You are the alpha's true mate! Everyone knows that and we truly appreciate you for all you have done for the pack."
I said nothing in reply, instead, I reached for Leo's hand and whispered to him. "I'm exhausted, let's go home please."
Without another word, Leo held my arm firmly and began leading me out until a soft whimper escaped my lips.
He stopped abruptly and turned to me. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
With a sigh, I replied, "I'm not used to this place. I twisted my ankle while trying to find my way."
Without hesitation, he scooped me up bridal style, planting a kiss on my forehead. "You'll heal in no time but in the meantime, tell me where you tripped. I'll have the place torn down by tomorrow."
I smiled faintly and buried my face in his chest, playing along with him as he cried me out of the club.
The night air was cold, slapping against my skin without remorse as the scent of frost and gasoline filled my nostrils. He placed me gently in the car and joined me in a few seconds. I could feel his warmth beside me, too close and suffocating.
He leaned in, his breath fanning my face. "Why were you out so late?"
I leaned back into the seat, resting my head on the car seat. "Amelia called, said you were too drunk to drive and Cassian wasn't around. So I came without thinking."
"But now…" I trailed off.
"But what?" he replied, his voice sharp and tense.
I chuckled weakly. "Now I realize I overreacted. It was probably nothing."
I felt his wolf stir in suspicion, trying to connect to Nina but she shut down immediately.
Silence ensued between us for a few seconds, then he slowly took my hand in his and pulled me closer to himself.
"Amelia had a rough childhood. You need to understand she's not like others," he said defensively. "She's not malicious and really meant no harm."
A low growl escaped my lips surprising myself but he made no comment. My claws dug into my palm, drawing blood as I tried to tame my emotions and Nina's.
Was he so blinded by love that he couldn't see the truth?
Was she innocent when she caused the accident and stole my cornea?
Was she innocent when she slept with my first mate?
Because of an infant swap that wasn't my fault, everyone saw me as the villain. I was treated like trash ever since she came into my life but never for once did I fight back.
The maids cursed and hit me, my once happy family turned against me and even the second chance mate whom I thought would wipe these bad memories chose her too.
A tired sigh escaped my lips and I shut my eyes, not wanting to entertain any further discussion.
We arrived at the mansion in a few minutes. Leo lifted my bridal style to the room. Without a word to him, I washed up and climbed into bed.
He joined me moments later, his finger gently taking off my nightwear as if he had not just been in the arms of another.
Just as I was about to grab his arm, his phone blared out loud. He immediately rolled over and grabbed the phone.
"Selene, I need to take this. It's really important," he said, leaving the room without waiting for a response from me.
Once the door shut close, I glided out of bed and traced his scent to his study. I pressed my ear against the door, holding my breath in fear.
"I could never love her, my heart has never changed," Leo uttered.
"Amelia… you sound drunk? Didn't Lucas come to pick you?"
Silence followed for a second.
"No, I can't send Cassian. I'll come get you myself. Just stay out," he concluded, his voice filled with concern.
With my heart thudding frantically in my chest, I immediately began to make my way back to the room but I wasn't fast enough as we collided at the study.
He cleared his throat nervously. "Selene, are you still up? And why are you out here?"
I smiled softly. "Throat was parched. Came for a drink, then I thought I heard something. Must have been my imagination."
He chuckled softly and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Go to bed you need to rest. Pack emergency. I need to handle it immediately before the rogues invade any further."
I almost scoffed at his words but held it in. Same old lies.
For two years, he had always disappeared late at night even during intimacy. Looking back now, it seemed everything urgent matter was actually tied to Amelia.
I stood at the doorway, my chest rising and falling in hurt as I tried to calm my raging emotions.
The sound of his footsteps as he made his way toward me filled the air.
"Get some rest," he whispered, gently patting my shoulder.
Something broke inside of me and without thinking, I grabbed his wrist firmly. "Leo," I croaked, my voice thick with emotions. "Please don't go."