Selene's POV
The sound of Leo's car zoomed past me and I felt the chill of the night run through my body.
Luckily, I hadn't worn the armless dress Leo had gotten for me. If I had, I might have frozen to death.
Nina howled sorrowfully in my head at the loss of her mate and I sighed heavily.
"It's for the best, Nina. Maybe he wasn't truly our mate."
Maybe he wasn't my second chance, mate, after all. The moon goddess can't be so cruel right?
"Leo?" A familiar voice called from a distance behind me, and I held my cane tightly.
Then the footsteps began closing in behind me and instinctively, I began to walk fast. But before I could get far, a powerful hand yanked me back.
Suddenly, a speeding car brushed the edge of my clothes, missing me by inches.
My mind went blank and my pale face broke out in a cold sweat. My heart pounded dangerously in my chest long after the danger passed.
I could have died that instant.
"Selene, have you lost your mind? Running out into traffic like that, are you trying to get yourself killed?"
The voice belonged to none other than Lucas, my first mate and ex-fiancé.
What was he doing here?
Without hesitation, I shook off his grip and staggered backwards, away from him.
Three years had passed since Lucas had voluntarily spoken to me. Even at the Casper family gatherings, where he showed up occasionally, we never exchanged a word.
Facing this man from my past, I felt no lingering affection but I couldn't treat him like a stranger either. Keeping distance was the safest bet.
"Thank you, Mr. Lucas," I said, as formally as possible.
Then without wasting much time, I turned to find a safer spot to wait for my ride. I couldn't spend a second with him.
But Lucas had other plans, walking to meet my pace, he stood beside me and suddenly let out a scoff.
"I thought you were doing well, Turns out… you're just pathetic."
I slowly clenched my fist, trying to control the rage brewing in me.
But Lucas continued, "Did you know your husband left you alone tonight, didn't even care if you were safe, just to meet Amelia?"
I kept mute, my breath getting hitched.
Lucas pestered on, "Have you never wondered why Alpha Leo would marry a blind woman like you?"
His words felt like an icy water poured over my head, chilling me to the bone.
If Lucas can see through Leo's scheme, does it mean everyone knew the truth except me?
No wonder the Casper family dared to torment me openly in front of Leo . Lucas had once called me the dumbest woman alive when he heard I was getting married to Leo .
I had thought his words were spiked by jealousy and I didn't listen to him.
It had all been written in the stars, I just hadn't seen it.
Lucas chuckled, starting to talk again, "whereas…"
Spinning around, I lashed out at him before he could complete his sentence, "Instead of wasting time with your cheap insults, Mr. Lucas, maybe you should worry about why your wife isn't spending her birthday with you, but out with some other man."
I felt his cold gaze resting on my face, "Selene, I'm just trying to help. Don't mistake kindness for weakness."
Help? I'd lick my foot if Lucas were here to help.
The wind lifted strands of my hair as I mimicked his tone, "If I'm being cheated on, Mr. Lucas, you're not exactly innocent yourself. Don't you agree?"
"You…" Lucas snapped, losing his composure. "After three years, you're still so venomous. No wonder everyone hates you even your own husband looks down on you. You deserve it!"
He's finally showing his real side.
As expected.
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner!" Lucas yelled in anger as he snatched my cane from my hands and tossed it into a nearby bush.
My hands grasped at empty air as the panic started building up; my cane had never left me before. What was I going to do without my cane in an unfamiliar place? Especially after almost being hit.
No, I wouldn't let Lucas trample upon me like this, never.
"Give it back Lucas, now!" My voice came out ragged as I gasped in helplessness.
"If you want it, go find it yourself. You worthless blind woman. What gives you the right to insult me? You think being Luna gives you that right?
A pang of injustice crushed my chest as tears began stinging my eyes.
Why did they all have to treat me like this? What had I done to deserve such humiliation?
I was breaking all over again. No, I shouldn't let my former self show up. I should stand up for myself.
Breathing calmly, I let Nina take charge of my body. Although I was still blind, Nina's instincts were sharp and accurate.
Lunching myself forward, I pounced on Lucas, showing him my claws and threatening to claw his eyes out. Breaking through his barriers, I entered his thoughts and began yelling.
"Is it because I'm the maid, an Omega's daughter that you think you can trample on me? Because my birth mother made mistakes, is my existence a crime? Because I don't fight back, you think you can step on me? Lucas, I'm a person too! I feel pain, I get hurt! I don't ask for your kindness, just don't torment me. Is that too much?"
Lucas was stunned into silence, finally stammering, "L-let go! Fine, I'll get your cane back, alright?"
He struggled to pull my huge body off him but it was difficult, my gaze still piercing deeply into him.
He finally surrendered to me and breathed haggardly, only then did I release him.
My anger finally subsided and was replaced with exhaustion, panting heavily.
Lucas rose from his feet and retrieved my cane. Next, he threw it at my feet with a grimace.
"Unbelievable, you would have butchered me into pieces!" he spat out, then turned and got into his car.
After his car revved past me, I shapeshifted back into my human form and fetched my clothes. Picking up my cane, I flagged down a taxi, already completely exhausted.
I got there in a few minutes and was ushered to a VIP room by a server who left me at the door.
Exhaling loudly to clear my anxiety and calm the turmoil inside me, I opened the door and walked inside.
The room was unnoticeably empty and I let out a soft chuckle, "Amelia,"I mumbled under my breath.
She was so desperate to become Moss's final apprentice. Too bad this time, even with Leo paving the way, you're not getting what you want!
With that, I took out my phone from my purse and speed-dialed a particular number.