Chapter 10 Stop

Selene's P.O.V

The car Blake had arranged drove me straight home from the Alpha exclusive club.

When I entered my home, I hadn't even taken off my shoes when my mother's voice rang from the living room.

"Selene, you're back? How was the banquet last night? Did you meet anyone suitable for a match?"

Just the thought of last night made my head ache.

I took a deep breath to steady myself, rubbed my still-throbbing temples, and walked to the living room. I settled onto the sofa across from my mother, forcing my voice to stay even.

"I met a few Alphas. On the surface, they seemed fine, but after talking to them, none of them really felt right."

At her words, my mother frowned, her sharp gaze locking onto me. "None of them are suitable? Selene, don't tell me you're still hung up on that scoundrel Malcolm?"

Hearing his name made my irritation flare, and it showed on my face. "No, Mother. There's nothing between us anymore."

She didn't fully look convinced, but she relaxed slightly. "Good. You'd better be clear-headed. You are going to inherit the Lunaris Pack and become its Alpha. Emotions are a dangerous trap. If you let yourself get lost over a man like before..."

She paused, her tone sharpening with a clear warning. "Then I'll have no choice but to consider giving the future Alpha position to Natalie. You should know the pack doesn't need a leader who's indecisive."

Natalie Kingsley was my elder sister. She wasn't my mother's biological daughter, but an orphan she had adopted years ago. Our relationship had always been terrible since we were young.

My chest tightened. It wasn't because I feared Natalie, but because I couldn't bear the thought of disappointing my mother or losing the responsibility that was rightfully mine.

I pushed down the irritation Malcolm's name had sparked and spoke with quiet authority. "Mother, you're overthinking. I just haven't found the right match yet. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

To back up my words and quickly solidify my position, I started attending all sorts of social gatherings and private dinners in the days that followed. My goal was indeed to find a suitable mate for an alliance, but the whole process was frustratingly dull.

The Alphas I met were either too calculating or subtly dismissive of a female Alpha, leaving me uninterested and impatient.

Today, I was heading to the restaurant for a meal. But the moment I reached the entrance, my eyes landed on two familiar figures before a waiter could even guide me in.

I froze.

Malcolm and Christina again?

These two were impossible to shake off!

I rolled my eyes, instinctively trying to turn and slip past them, but Malcolm had already spotted me.

Disgust and impatience flashed across his face like I was some stain he couldn't scrub off.

He strode toward me in just a few steps, cutting off my path, his voice dripping with disdain. "Selene? Why are you here? Stalking me? I have important business today, and I don't have time for your nonsense. If you know what's good for you, leave now."

I could barely hold back a laugh at his arrogance.

I forced down my irritation and said coldly, "Malcolm, do you really think the world revolves around you? Do you own this restaurant? Who you're meeting is none of my business, and I don't care. Step aside and don't get in the way of my own matters."

I tried to step around him, but he suddenly reached out and blocked me again.

He planted himself in front of me, radiating arrogance and threat. "Your own matters? What matters could you possibly have? I'm warning you, don't cause trouble here. Leave. Now!"

My patience snapped as I saw him act so stubbornly. My voice grew colder. "You're the one who should leave! I said I have an appointment. Move!"

Malcolm pulled a long face when he saw how firm I was. Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist hard enough to make me wince.

His expression twisted with anger as he growled, "Selene, stop embarrassing yourself! I'll escort you out myself!"

"Let go!" My face darkened.

My wolf stirred, ready to unleash my Alpha presence. But before I could, a cold, deep voice cut through the tension, stopping him in his tracks.

"Stop!"