Ice and Fire

Next morning, the sunlight was merciless, pouring through the thin curtains like it wanted to spotlight every ounce of Selene’s humiliation. She had spent the night turning and twisting in bed as she pondered Kyle’s ruthless words and actions over and over again. She didn’t know when she succumbed to sleep.

Seeing her dress and lingerie scattered on the floor, Selene groaned, pulling the sheet over her face. Last night’s memory hit her hard and fast.

She remembered Kyle’s cold eyes, the other woman’s smirk, her own body half-bared and waiting, only to be left frustrated.

She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Instead, she sat up, her hair tumbling into a dark, tangled mess around her face. The robe she’d worn last night was still draped over her shoulders, not as seductive as it was the previous night.

When she glanced in the cracked mirror across the room, she almost laughed bitterly. She looked exactly how she felt; Her pride ruined and all.

Knock! Knock!

The sudden rap on the door startled her into action. Selene stood quickly, tying her robe tighter before opening the door.

“Mom?” Liam’s voice was soft, but his amber eyes that were so much like hers were sharp with worry.

Selene froze.

Of all people, she hadn’t wanted her son to know how much she’d embarrassed herself last night.

'Does he know already?'

“Hey, baby,” she said, forcing a weak smile.

“ Are you… okay?” Liam frowned, his gaze flicking over her messy hair, the faint flush on her cheeks. “ That Alpha dude said you needed rest. He said you were sick drunk?”

Selene winced, remembering last night. However, she didn’t think Kyle would tell Liam this. Was it some sort of teasing?

In any case, she was glad he did. After all, she couldn't have dealt with Liam's worry in the state she was in the previous night.

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Just a little tired.” She reached out, brushing a hand through his hair.

“You don’t look fine,” he said softly, his eyes narrowing like he didn’t believe her.

Selene sighed and forced a smile. “Liam, you’ve got your awakening coming soon. You don’t need to worry about me. I just… had too much to drink, that’s all.”

“You never have too much drink, you’ve always been the cautious type right?” Liam said, his voice quiet but stubborn. He seemed to have certain suspicions.

Selene paused, her heart aching. He was too smart for his own good, just like her. “I promise, I’m okay.” She kissed his forehead and gently nudged him toward the kitchen.

“Go grab breakfast. I’ll be down in a bit.”

When the door shut behind her, Selene’s smile crumbled. Liam’s worry had added another layer to her humiliation. She felt like a bad parent for what she’d done, leaving Liam alone in the midst of the party full of people he'd be meeting for the first time, and on top of that, making him worry all night.

Moreso, Kyle’s words from last night -sharp, and degrading- still echoed in her mind as she roamed back into her room.

' He really doesn't like me anymore?' She pondered, feeling crushed and unsure of what to do next.

But then, the whispers and rumors around town that she’d heard about Kyle echoed back to her, “The alpha is such a womanizer. He doesn’t take anyone to bed more than once, no wonder he’s still single.”

Selene’s lips parted. A slow, dangerous smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

' Fine! If this is a game, I’ll play it better than anyone else.

' He can't just ignore me, and pretend I mean nothing? I won't let him!' Selene donned a serious expression.

She hadn't been thinking straight the previous night. Kyle walking in with that lady really got to her head.

Otherwise, she would have realized that of course Kyle had lots of ladies swarming around him. It's a fact that he would go to bed with some of them and have casual flings with others.

Doesn't mean he loves any of them.

By the time Selene showered and dressed herself in black jeans that hugged her legs and a white tank top soft against her skin, Selene had made up her mind. She wouldn’t let Kyle think he’d broken her.

Instead, she'd make her intentions known to him and figure out for herself if he was playing games with her or not.

Determined, Selene told Liam he was going to thank Kyle for last night and stepped out, heading for the pack house.

The whispers of the pack stung as she passed through the pack-owned part of town.

" Selene’s back...

She tried to get the Alpha’s attention...

Leave it to a pathetic slut!"

' Of course, the Crescent claw pack and its townsfolk are quick to pick up on scandals.' Selene's jaw tightened.

' That wretched bitch!' She suspected the lady from last night was behind this. However, she wouldn't put it past Kyle either.

Regardless, she ignored them. They could say what they wanted. She had one thing to do now, and it was to face Kyle.

Kyle was where she expected him to be on a sunday morning: at the pack’s private training and fitness area, a sleek open-air facility tucked behind the packhouse. She'd realized he'd be here from the number of pack members strolling into the place in their track suits and sport wears.

Even in a modern setting, he radiated Alpha authority.

His broad shoulders flexed as he pulled a barbell like it weighed nothing. Sweat slicked his skin, making the tattoos on his forearms glisten. His mere presence made the air feel heavier.

Selene hated how her heart sped up just looking at him.

“Kyle,” she walked up close and called, her voice sharp out of her own will.

Kyle turned, his expression already cool. “Selene.” He greeted, placing the barbell down.

Selene was surprised, but she knew he'd just been ignoring her on purpose. Regardless, she still had to face him!

“About last night—” she started.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” His voice was like cold steel, cutting through her words.

Selene’s brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”

He stepped closer, his dark eyes locking onto hers like he was daring her to challenge him. He flashed a knowing smile as he rendered in a hush,“Your little games won’t work on me, Selene. Whatever you'ree trying to pull, just stop. I’m not one of those weak men who’ll crawl into your bed just because you’re desperate enough to try.”

His words sliced through her. Selene’s chest tightened. “Wow. You really think I’m that pathetic?” She murmured as opposed to the retort she had in mind, shaken and shattered.

“Aren’t you?” His voice dropped lower, his Alpha presence pressing against her like a weight. “You came back here with your son’s ceremony as an excuse, but you’re here for me. Don’t think I don’t see it.”

She swallowed hard, forcing her voice to stay steady. “You know what? You’re right. I was stupid. But don’t flatter yourself, Kyle. I’m done with you anyway.”

The lie burned her throat, but she wanted to see how he reacted. Would he just let her leave like this?

" Get this straight, it never started to begin with." Kyle uttered, a wicked grin spreading across his handsome face.

Unable to hear the hurt anymore, Selene spun on her heel and walked away. The lack members around had noticed the small scuffle and had stopped to watch.

Hiding her gaze away, once again embarrassed by Kyle, Selene's chest ached from holding back her tears as she left the place.