Pity, Lies, and Lust

Selene turned to face him once they were inside, wringing her hands. “I… wanted to ask if you could lend me some money. Just enough to get by this month. I’ll pay you back, I swear.”

Kyle leaned against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Money, huh? And here I thought you came to confess your undying love.” he muttered the last par just enough for her to hear, clearly still teasing.

“Kyle,” she hissed, her cheeks burning. “I’m serious.”

He chuckled, walking in to grab his wallet. “Relax. Here.” He handed her a folded stack of bills, his expression infuriatingly calm. “You don’t have to pay me back.”

Her stomach twisted at those words. “What? No. I will pay you back.”

“Why?” He raised a brow. “You think I’m going to pity you if you don’t? You’re overthinking, Selene.”

She froze, anger bubbling under her skin. “So that’s what this is to you? Pity?”

Kyle's smirk faltered, but he didn’t back down. “I don’t do pity. If I wanted to pity you, I wouldn’t have wasted my time being here."

Selene didn't listen, however. Her feelings were too hurt for her not to say something back. “You think you’re better than me just because you’re rich and the Alpha now, huh?” Selene’s voice sharpened, hurt cutting through her words. “I don’t need your charity, Kyle. I don’t need your pity.”

“Then why are you here?” he asked coolly. “You came to me for help. If this is about your pride, then take the damn money and pay me back whenever you feel like proving something.”

Her heart pounded. He was right, but his tone made her want to scream. “Fine,” she muttered, snatching the cash from his hand. “I’ll pay you back. Every last cent. Don’t think for a second I need you.”

Something flickered in his gaze, a strange mix of amusement and… admiration? He tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning. “Perhaps, I like this about you. You’re not a gold digger at least, Selene. You’re just stubborn. And I know what you’re really after, anyway. I'll tell you, it won't work.”

Selene’s breath caught. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Come on,” he said smoothly, leaning a little closer. “We both know this isn’t about the money. You want me. Ever since that night."

Her body betrayed her with a rush of heat. She thought of the night of Liam’s coming-of-age ceremony, of how badly she’d wanted him. She felt it again; the ache, the throbbing, the wetness that embarrassed her just as much as it thrilled her.

But she wasn’t that bold girl anymore. Kyle had crushed her confidence with his coldness.

What if he rejected her again? What if this was all a set-up and he had pack members all around watching her every move? If she jumped at him again, wouldn't that make the rumors even more true?

She turned slightly, trying to mask her face, when his voice broke the silence.

“oh, is there something else other than the money?” he asked with a teasing edge. “Something about the heart, maybe?”

Her face burned. “Don’t start with that again,” she muttered, scowling. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something else. About what you said before… about the victim and the villain—”

Ding! Dong!

The sound of the doorbell cut her off. Kyle’s head turned lazily, but before he could move, the door swung open.

“Kyle?” a familiar voice called out.

Selene froze at the sight of the lady at the door.

The sight of her standing there, tall, slim, dressed in tight jeans and a crop top that screamed pick me, made Selene’s stomach twist with irritation. Similarly, Jenna’s perfectly arched brows lifted when she saw Selene.

“Selene?” Jenna said, blinking in shock. “What are you doing here? Last I remember, you were living in the city.”

Selene’s lips curved into a tight smile. “ I Came back for Liam’s coming-of-age." She'd practiced this excuse over and over. " And Kyle here's been helping us settle in.” Her tone was sharper than intended.

“And you?” Selene asked, her gaze flicking pointedly over Jenna’s too-perfect outfit. “I thought you were still in the city.”

Jenna’s smile was sweet, but Selene knew better. “Oh, I’m just… collaborating with Kyle. For work.”

' Work...' Selene thought bitterly. ' Yeah, sure.'

She looked at Kyle, but he just stood there, annoyingly amused, like he enjoyed watching her squirm.

“Well,” Selene said, forcing a fake smile. “I’ll leave you to your… work then.”

She grabbed her bag and brushed past Kyle, her pulse pounding with anger and embarrassment.

He didn’t stop her. He didn’t even try. He just smiled. That infuriating, knowing smile as if he had her all figured out.

The door closed behind her, but the sting of it burned in her chest.

' Why does he do this to me? Why do I let him?' she thought bitterly.

' Why do I still want him?'

Selene slammed the front door behind her, muttering curses under her breath as she tossed her bag onto the couch.

Jenna. Of all people, Jenna.

It hurts more than Kyle gave Jenna the attention she wanted- the attention she deserved- more than anything else.

She tried to calm her racing heart, but the image of Kyle’s knowing smirk wouldn’t leave her head. She knew he was having fun at her heartbreak, she knew he was trying to have his revenge for having rejected him in the past. That's why he had let her leave without a word, without even trying to explain, and it burned her more than she wanted to admit.

But why was he being loving towards her, just to break her heart again? Just earlier when Tyler had mentioned that she had connections with Kyle, she had felt over the world and thought perhaps, he was done hiding his feelings.

But this?

Later when she got home from her walk around the town to catch herself, Liam looked up from the kitchen table where he was scrolling on his phone. “Whoa. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing,” Selene snapped before immediately softening her tone. “Sorry, honey. It’s just… some people don’t know when to mind their own business.”

“Kyle?” Liam guessed with a scowl.

Selene’s mouth tightened. “Maybe. And maybe another… person.” She sighed, sitting across from him as she thought of Jenna. “Liam, let me tell you something, a man shouldn’t play with a woman’s heart like that. He really shouldn't, It’s not a game.”

Liam tilted his head, frowning. “Okay, but… why do you care so much? He clearly doesn't. Besides, I thought you said you’ve been mad at him for years last night, remember? That you were close friends who got on each others' nerves? you really shouldn't let that jerk bother you.”

Her words caught in her throat. “I… I don’t know what you mean,” she said too quickly, realizing she’d been saying too much. “Forget it. It’s just grown-up stuff.”

“Uh-huh,” Liam said with a suspicious smirk, but he didn’t push it.