ALONE

SELENE

I stumbled into the bar like a storm tearing through the night. I didn't care who stared or judged. The warmth and light of the place only magnified the cold emptiness inside me. My dress was torn at the hem, my feet bare, and my face streaked with dried tears.

"Give me something strong," I said, approaching the bar.

The bartender, an older wolf with silver streaks in his beard, hesitated. "Are you even of age?"

"Just pour," I snapped, glaring at him through bloodshot eyes.

He shrugged, pouring a shot of something that burned like fire on the way down. Then another. Then another.

I'd never touched alcohol before tonight. I had always lived inside my family's rules and restrictions. But tonight... everything was broken. My life, my spirit, my soul.

The world started spinning. My head dipped toward the bar.

"That's enough," a deep voice said from behind me.

"Leave me alone!" I slurred. "Just go away!"

Suddenly, strong arms lifted me off the stool. I yelped, flailing, but the man, whoever he was, threw me over his shoulder and carried me as if I weighed nothing.

I laughed. Then cried. Then everything went black.

I woke up naked, wrapped in cool sheets. My heart leapt into my throat. Panic surged through me. My hands clutched the blanket. My eyes darted across the unfamiliar room. My clothes were on the floor next to a man's.

Oh, goddess. What did I do? I asked myself, shattered totally.

The sound of a shower running snapped my thoughts in half. I stood, knees wobbling, and dressed as quickly as I could. I didn't know where I was. I didn't know who he was. But I had to get out.

I burst from the room and fled the building like my life depended on it.

"Miss, wait!" a voice called behind me.

I didn't turn around.

By some miracle, a cab was waiting. I jumped in.

"Drive," I told the driver.

"Where to?"

"Home."

Home. That word tasted like ash and bitter medicine.

The ride back was long and quiet. The alcohol had dulled the sharpness of my humiliation, but it couldn't erase it. Jax's words still echoed in my mind. I reject her.

I reached the house and slipped in unnoticed. Everyone was still asleep or too drunk to care. I showered and climbed into bed, trying to pretend last night didn't happen.

The illusion was shattered by morning and reality began to strike.

"Selene!" my mother shrieked. "Breakfast!"

I dragged myself to the kitchen.

"Where were you last night?" she asked.

"I…"

"She was out licking her wounds," my father grunted. "Let's eat!"

No concern. No curiosity. No care.

I cooked in silence. My stomach churned with nausea.

Then a black vehicle pulled up in front of the house.

Tamara stepped out. Glowing.

"He chose me!" she squealed. "Alpha Jax chose me! He's going to present me as Luna in two weeks!"

I dropped the spoon. My hand trembled. My face went pale.

It was like a knife driven into the same wound that hadn't even begun to heal and my heart had skipped a beat.

I served breakfast and retreated to my room.

I cried until my body went numb. I didn't eat. I didn't sleep. I only breathed because I didn't know how to stop.

Days passed.

I started getting up earlier, just to avoid seeing them. I cleaned and cooked in silence. I became a ghost in my own home.

My wolf whimpered in the back of my mind.

"Run," she whispered. "Run, Selene."

I made a plan. Just a small bag. A few clothes. Enough to get out.

One morning, I woke before dawn, slipped downstairs, and reached for the door.

"Going somewhere?"

I froze.

My parents were sitting in the dark. Waiting.

"I…." I stammered.

My father stood. I panicked. Dropped to the floor. Played dead.

It worked.

They panicked. Rushed me to the hospital.

In the sterile room, the doctor walked in with a clipboard.

"Miss Bloom," he said. "You're two weeks pregnant."

The room fell into silence.

"What?" I whispered.

"You slut!" my father shouted. "After all we've done for you?"

He tried to strike me. The doctor stopped him.

"Don't you dare come back to my house," he growled. "You are no daughter of mine."

My mother followed him out.

The doctor sighed. "You're free to go."

And just like that, I was utterly, completely alone.