Chapter 11

SELENE

“What do you mean? What is going on?” Leila asked, her gaze locked on Zarek as he walked away. “I just arrived and this is how you all welcome me? Who is getting on your nerves again?” She asked, her voice loud enough for me to hear.

I greeted her and then kept walking, but then I felt a cold and sudden grip on my hand.

“Who are you? And where are you rushing to?” She asked.

I stopped and then bowed again. “I am Selene, I have to go.” I said, but she wouldn’t let me go.

“I asked you who you are, where you are going and all you could say was you are whatever name, you have to go? Do you even know who I am?” Leila said angrily.

I didn’t flinch. But my bare feet padded quickly against the cold marble floor, my breath fast and steady because I was running to be able to get to Zarek faster.

“I know exactly who you are, Leila,” I said, not turning around.

Leila narrowed her eyes. “Then why are you walking past me like I mean nothing in this pack? You’re going to my brother’s quarters, no, this is not the way to Zarek’s quarters, this is the way to his beta’s quarters. Why are you rushing in there?” 

That stopped me.

I exhaled shakily and faced Leila. My eyes filled with fear, but fury.. “Leila, as you can see I am new here, and I don’t think I should be your problem in this pack, yes you are Zarek’s sister and I should have greeted you sooner but not long ago, you saw me bow for you, don’t you? Isn’t that enough? Even though I am the Luna only by title, you should at least respect me because I am your brother’s mate” 

Leila’s expression didn’t change. “That doesn’t mean you can charge into Zarek’s chambers like a rogue without thinking.”

My jaw tensed. “Then you should ask your brother and his beta why I’m walking through these halls looking like this and not sitting in his arms where a Luna should be.”

Leila scoffed, “And here I am thinking you are just a weak rogue, the exile didn’t soften you, I see. You think because you’re mated to him, that means you can wander around the mansion?”

Leila’s words still echoed in my ears when the heavy sound of approaching boots silenced both of us.

I froze.

Zarek.

His scent reached me before he did. His presence was a thunderclap, and every nerve in my body sparked. I could hear the rage in his breath before I even saw his face.

But I composed myself.

His back was straight, his eyes steady and his shoulders were set. I tucked my bare feet behind my long robe and made sure my expression was neutral.

Zarek’s eyes cut straight to me.

“Selene.” His voice was deep and husky.

Leila stepped aside, cool and unreadable now. “Zarek. Good thing you’re here, what is this exiled wolf doing in here?.”

“I told you to stay in your chambers,” he said to me, ignoring his sister.

“I…I wanted to ask you some questions.” I stuttered.

Zarek didn’t say anything, he finally turned to his sister, his expression unreadable. He spoke quietly.

“Why did you come back to the pack in the middle of the night, Leila?”

Leila gave him a dry look, her arms crossed over her chest. “Because my home’s on fire.”

I blinked. “Which home?”

Leila rolled her eyes, “The only one that still has my name on it. I saw everything blowing up online.”

Zarek’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean everything?”

“I saw the videos, the beta and Luna stuff, Zarek what are you doing? You know how much Evelyn sacrificed for this pack.” Leila said but then Zarek’s gaze stopped her.

“Evelyn is overstepping.”

“Let her, let her do whatever she wants.” Leila said firmly.

“I will take care of that.” Zarek said firmly.

“Someone else leaked that video. Someone posted that video online, just to ruin your image.” Leila said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zarek didn’t respond to her, instead he pulled my hand and led me straight to my room then he locked the door.

“What the hell?” I muttered to myself, being with Zarek now means no freedom.

Across the room, Leila was already sitting on the chair, her legs crossed and her arms folded.

She didn’t even let Zarek sit down, when she heard the sound of the door, she spoke up.

“I’ll say it again,” she said coldly. “Selene can’t be the one who is mated to you, she can never be your mate. She’s an exiled Luna. She’s disgraced. She’s the ex-mate of your friend.”

“We’re not friends anymore Leila,” Zarek replied, voice low and unwavering. “You of all people should know. He betrayed me a long time ago.”

Leila scoffed. “So now you’ve married Aria for what? Revenge? To use her as a pawn to get back at Lucien?”

Zarek walked past her and poured himself a drink from the sideboard, not answering immediately.

“Well?” she pressed. “Tell me I’m wrong, but I know I am not wrong.”

He downed the glass in one shot before meeting her eyes. “You are wrong. But you’re not entirely wrong.”

She sighed. “Tell me the truth? Did you marry her because she is your mate or to use her because you know she is desperate right now?” She asked her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes.”

“So you used her.”

“Look Leila, Evelyn can’t give birth.” Zarek said, his voice low and firm.

“That was because she saved you and this entire pack a few years ago.” Leila said.

Zarek began to pace around the room.

“Are you even sure she was the one or someone else?” He asked.

Leila adjusted on the chair and then glared at Zarek. “What do you mean?”

Zarek, who was still pacing around the room, stopped and then turned his gaze to Leila. 

“Selene has the mark.” Zarek said, his voice deep and firm.