Selene's heart thundered in her chest as she followed Alexander through the grand halls of the Blood Moon pack house. Events from that night still put her in a daze-how had she gone from being a lowly maid, rejected and ignored, to being claimed by one of the most powerful Alphas in the world? As they walked side by side, her mind was consumed by the enormity of what had taken place thus far. Alexander led her to the guest quarters, for which the Blood Moon pack had prepared for him to stay in. The room was resplendent and very different from the small, dark areas in which Selene was accustomed to staying. Alexander pushed the door open, allowing Selene to step inside first. She did not get across the threshold immediately but stood at the door, mouth agape, and eyes wide with wonder. Large windows allowed much natural light in, their billowing velvet curtains wafting on the breeze as a large four-poster dominated the center of the room. To one side, there was also a fireplace where crackling, warm flames blazed softly around the room. Selene had never seen a room as big as this. She felt somewhat out of place because she was not used to such spaces.
"Make yourself at home," Alexander said with a low, commanding voice. Selene swallowed nervously and nodded, taking a cautious seat on the edge of one of the plush chairs by the fireplace. Alexander moved to the window, his gaze out at the night beyond the panes of glass. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching between them like an invisible thread. Finally, Selene found her voice. "Alpha Alexander… I don't understand why you chose me." Her voice quivered with the emotions running riot in her stomach. Alexander faced her; his green eyes softened as they met hers. "You are my mate, Selene. The Moon Goddess has chosen you for me. I do not question the decisions she makes, neither should you." Selene's eyes dropped to the floor, her hands restless in her lap. "But I've been nothing but a burden to everyone here," she said so quietly. "For fifteen years, I've been treated like dirt. Jackson… Tiffany… they've made my life a living hell." Alexander's jaw clenched at the mention of the names Jackson and Tiffany. He took another step closer, his presence commanding the space in silent intensity. "Tell me, Selene," he pressed on, "I need to know everything they've done to you." And so Selene began to speak in a low tone that grew stronger with each passing second as she recalled the tormented years she had lived. She told him how Jackson had disowned her, would not even accept her as his mate, and how Tiffany had always degraded and laughed at her whenever she got a chance. She spoke of the hard work for long hours she was made to do, the chilly nights in solitary, insults, punishments, and that good-for-nothing feeling that would never end. Alexander listened, his face darkening with every word she spoke. His fists were clenched at his sides, and though Selene could see the anger simmering beneath his surface, he did not interrupt her. Speechless, there was no mistaking the rage that seared in his eyes. When she was done, a weight seemed to lift off Selene's chest. It was the first time in her life that she had ever shared the full extent of her suffering with anyone. So long, she'd carried the weight alone upon her shoulders, but now, it would seem, with Alexander, she could breathe. "I will not let them hurt you anymore," Alexander said in a low, dangerous tone. "You're coming with me, Selene. I'll protect you." She looked up at him, her heart full of gratitude, for the first time in her life, feeling safe, feeling seen. As if sensing her thoughts, Alexander reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He stepped forward and handed it to her. "What is this?" Selene asked, her fingers trembling while taking the box from his hand. "Open it," Alexander said with a faint smile. She opened it gingerly, and nestled inside was a dainty necklace: a small, silver moon, articulate in design, which gleamed with firelight. Selene's breath was caught in her throat-it was beautiful. "It's a symbol of the Moon Goddess," Alexander explained. "A reminder that you are chosen, Selene. That you are worthy." Tears were welling up in Selene's eyes as she stared and stared at the necklace. Nobody had ever given her a gift, not like this. She quickly wiped her eyes, hoping Alexander did not see her cry. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "I… I don't know what to say." "You don't have to say a word," Alexander replied softly. "Just know you're not alone. She nodded with a warmth spreading into her chest. For the first time in years, she felt really happy. And as they talked, the weight of her past began to lighten on her shoulders. She spoke at great length about her time with the Blood Moon pack, Alexander listening to her with growing protective instincts with each word that she uttered. But their talk was cut short by a knock on the door. In a burst, Beta Luke slightly bows to Alexander before speaking. "Alpha, Jackson has asked to see Selene," Luke said, the tight pull of his voice a dread giveaway of the tension in his body. Alexander's eyes flashed, his protective instincts full on as he turned hard eyes to regard Selene. Selene's heart stuttered. "Jackson wants to see me?" she echoed, her voice questioning. "Do you want to go?" Alexander asked, the tone gentling as he turned his gaze to her. Selene hesitated. Part of her wanted nothing more than to walk away from Jackson forever, but another part of her knew she needed closure. She needed to confront him one last time. "I'll go," Selene said quietly, though her heart pounded in her chest. Alexander nodded. "I'll wait for you. If you need anything-anything at all, come back to me." Selene smiled faintly. "Thank you, Alexander." She took one deep breath and followed Beta Luke from the room, down the hall to Jackson's office. Her heart was racing with anticipation, dread gnawing at her insides. What more could Jackson want from her now? What more could he say? Reaching his office, she rapped softly on the door. A moment later, Jackson's voice called her inside. She stepped inside, her heart thudding against her chest as she faced him. He sat behind his desk, and for the first time, his cold demeanor had been replaced by something foreign. An expression of jealousy, yes, but also something else that she couldn't quite place. "Selene," Jackson greeted, his voice soft, unusual. "I'm glad you came." Selene remained standing near the door, arms crossed over her chest. "What do you want, Jackson?" she asked, her tone filled with suspicion. Jackson stood from his chair and rounded the desk, his gaze locked on hers. "I wanted to talk to you," he said again, this time his tone softer than usual. "About us." Selene raised an eyebrow. "Us? There is no 'us', Jackson." Jackson sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know I've made mistakes," he said, stepping closer to her. "But I have always cared about you, Selene. I have always loved you." Selene's eyes widened in disbelief, and then she let out a short, bitter laugh. "Loved me? You've made my life a living hell for fifteen years, Jackson. Don't stand there and lie to my face." Jackson's jaw clamped, but he forced a smile. "I'm not lying, Selene. I was… confused. I didn't know how to handle having a mate like you." Selene's face hardened. "A mate like me? You mean an orphan, a maid, someone you thought was beneath you." At her words, Jackson flinched, but he did well to regain his composure right after. "It doesn't matter now," he said, taking a step closer. "What matters is that I realize now that I need you. I want you to stay." Selene shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "No, Jackson. You don't get to do this. You rejected me. You made it clear that I was nothing to you. "I was wrong!" Jackson snapped, anger rising to make his voice higher. "I know that now." But Selene was buying none of that. She had seen through Jackson's lies a long time ago, and she wasn't about to start falling for them now. "I didn't come here to listen to your excuses," Selene said firmly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling in her belly. "I came to say goodbye."
