Chapter 5 Rage

Selene’s POV

Selene Stormcrest was not used to losing. She had been raised to win, to always stay ahead. Yet here she was, standing on the precipice of everything she had worked for, slipping away. Seraphina had taken too much from her. Not just Kaelion—no, that would be too simple. It was her pride, her control, her plan. And what hurt the most was that it was Seraphina, the one who had never deserved it, who had taken it all.

She wasn’t even the legitimate daughter. No, she had to use her mother’s maiden name. She had worked so hard to build a foundation, and now, it was all crumbling. For years, she had carefully woven herself into Kaelion’s world. She had become indispensable—his confidante, his friend, the woman who truly understood him. She knew his every need, every subtle look, every desire. Unlike Seraphina, who had been naive, blissfully unaware of the complexities that bound Kaelion to the world he inhabited.

Kaelion had been slipping from Seraphina’s grasp for so long. And Selene had been waiting—waiting for the moment when Kaelion would finally see who truly deserved to stand beside him. She had watched, biding her time, knowing that sooner or later, he would realize the truth. Selene had been ready to catch him the moment he reached for her. All her whispered words, the delicate touches, the moments of perfect timing—they were all designed to bring Kaelion into her arms.

And yet—here she was, watching it all slip through her fingers.

She paced her chambers, her mind racing. Her nails dug into her palms, her mind replaying the last few days over and over again. Every single thing she had worked for, every ounce of patience, every carefully crafted lie—it was all falling apart. And she could only blame one person.

Seraphina.

Seraphina, who had never demanded attention. Seraphina, who had never wanted to be Luna. Who had never wanted to claim Kaelion as hers. Until now.

Selene clenched her fists as the memory flooded back.

The mall. She had been standing there, watching Kaelion and Seraphina. Kaelion had been holding her, letting Seraphina rest in his arms as if she had always belonged there. It was an image that didn’t fit—the giggling, the soft touches, the way Kaelion looked at Seraphina as if she was something precious. As if she was the one he had always wanted.

Selene’s heart pounded in her chest as the anger rose like a tide. How dare she?

And then dinner. Seraphina had done it again—ordering Kaelion’s favorite dishes with an air of entitlement. Selene had watched in disbelief as Kaelion indulged her, serving her with a smile, giving her everything she wanted. Everything she had never wanted before.

“Don’t you dare,” Selene muttered under her breath, her blood boiling. She had thought, for a fleeting moment, that Kaelion would see through it. He always had before. He had always pushed Seraphina away when she became too clingy, too demanding. But this time was different. This time, Kaelion had let Seraphina take the lead.

She seethed. “He’s mine. He’s supposed to be mine.”

Selene stormed to the mirror, her eyes blazing with fury. She stared at her reflection, searching for the woman who had once been so irresistible, so captivating. She was beautiful—everyone said so. Her long waves of ash-blonde hair framed her face perfectly, her delicate high cheekbones accentuated by the soft glow of the candlelight. Her piercing sapphire eyes had once been enough to make any man fall to his knees.

But now, it seemed, Kaelion barely noticed her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she recalled the evening in his office. She had lingered, pretending she had urgent pack matters to discuss. She had crossed her legs, making sure Kaelion would look. He didn’t. Not even a glance. Not even a single glance.

She had reached for him, brushing her fingers against his arm, letting the heat of her touch linger on his skin. “Kael,” she had murmured, her voice low and suggestive. “You look so tired. You should let someone… take care of you.”

He had barely reacted. Barely even looked at her. “Not now, Selene.”

Not now. It had been a dismissal. A rejection. Not from the Kaelion she knew—the Kaelion who had always desired her. Who had always turned to her when he needed comfort. But this time, he had dismissed her. And it stung.

She slammed her fist into the vanity, glaring at her reflection as if it were her enemy. “How could he do this to me?” she hissed under her breath.

Her pulse raced as the realization hit her—Seraphina had changed. She had gone from being the timid, docile woman who had let everything happen to her, to someone who took what she wanted. She had taken Kaelion, not out of weakness, but because she knew how to play the game.

Kaelion had never chased Seraphina before—so why now? Why was he suddenly there for her?

No. No. This isn’t over. It can’t be over.

Selene’s eyes narrowed as a wicked smile curled on her lips. The storm of rage was starting to settle, and in its wake, a plan began to form.

She would remind Kaelion of the bond they shared. She would make him remember. The nights they spent together, the quiet moments of understanding, the shared secrets, the way he had once come to her for everything.

She had played the perfect game. She had been patient, calculating, and had allowed Seraphina to dig her own hole. But now? Now it was her turn to strike.

Selene inhaled sharply, steadying herself. She would do whatever it took to remind Kaelion of who he belonged with. She would make him want her again, desire her again. Because Selene Stormcrest did not lose.

Seraphina? She would learn the hard way that there were consequences to underestimating Selene.

"Kaelion," Selene whispered, her voice dripping with venom, "you’ll remember. You always do."

And this time, she would ensure he never forgot.