Price of Silence

Selena stood by the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as Ryan moved around the room, restless.

“You’re really doing this?” she asked, her voice controlled and normal..but just barely.

Ryan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve been through this already.”

“No,” Selena snapped, turning to face him. “You’ve talked and I’ve listened to you. It’s not the same thing.”

Ryan’s jaw tightened.

“This isn’t just about us, Selena.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, I’m aware. It’s about power, reputation and your precious future.” She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his. “And Flora just happens to fit perfectly into all of that, doesn’t she?”

Ryan didn’t answer immediately.

That was enough for Selena.

She shook her head slowly. “So that’s it? You’re just going to stand in front of everyone and claim her like she actually matters to you?”

Ryan’s expression hardened. “Watch your tone.”

“Or what?” She challenged me. “You’ll defend her now?”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“Be careful, Selena.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The tension between them was thick. 

Then finally Ryan sighed, his voice softening slightly.

“Look… this doesn’t change anything between us.”

Selena still.

Her heart skipped a beat, but this time not in relief. Rather more in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am,” Ryan said firmly. “This is just… necessary. The alliance, the approval…it matters right now. But you…” He reached for her, his fingers brushing her arm. “You don’t lose me and you won’t.”

Selena stared at him.

The ease in his voice, the certainty.

It was like he truly believed what he was saying.

“Nothing changes,” he repeated.

Something in her expression shifted, her gaze colder now. 

“Nothing changes,” she echoed quietly.

Ryan nodded, clearly satisfied. “Good. Then we understand each other.”

He leaned in, pressing a brief kiss to her lips.

Then he pulled away.

“I’ll see you later,” he said, grabbing his keys.

And just like that…

He walked out.

The door shut behind him.

Silence filled the room.

Selena didn’t move at first.

Then slowly… very slowly… she turned toward the door.

Her expression twisted.

“Nothing changes?” she whispered.

Her laugh came out sharp and hollow

“Everything changes.”

Her hands clenched at her sides.

He was going to stand beside Flora and claim her as his.

He was going to choose her publicly 

And then expect her to stay hidden? To accept scraps? Like she hasn’t done enough of that already.

“I hate her,” Selena said, the words low and venomous.

She turned abruptly, grabbing a glass off the table. For a second, it looked like she might throw it…but she stopped, her grip tightening instead.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

The sound cut through everything.

Selena frowned, glancing down at the screen.

Unknown number.

She hesitated… then opened it.

“How do you feel about ruining Flora’s life?”

Selena froze.

Her eyes scanned the message again when a second text came through.

“If you’re interested… text back.”

Silence.

Her breathing slowed for a bit as the words really sank in.

And then a slow, dangerous smile spread across her lips.

“Well…” she murmured softly.

Her fingers hovered over the screen.

Then she typed.

“I’m interested.”

Flora tried to smile.

She really did.

Lily was talking animatedly across from her, holding up another dress as they stood in her room now.

The ceremony and they had to select just one dress.

“This one is perfect,” Lily said, turning it slightly. “Elegant, but not too much. You’ll look amazing in it.”

Flora nodded automatically. “Yeah… it’s nice.”

Lily paused.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“That’s the third time you’ve said ‘nice.’”

Flora blinked. “What?”

“You’re not even looking at them properly,” Lily said, lowering the dress. “What’s going on with you?”

Flora forced a small laugh. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”

That wasn’t a lie.

But it wasn’t the truth either.

Her mind hadn’t stopped racing since last night.

The message. Then the threat and the fact that the anonymous messenger was also a stalker.

She reached for her phone again.

Still nothing new.

And somehow… that felt worse.

For Flora her mind was here again. It was still at the Alpha’s house. Marcus told her to come back by 6 today and they can retrace everything and maybe find out who's behind this.

When it was a little after six, Flora was already in front of his office door.

The door opened before she could knock.

Marcus stood there, watching her.

“Come in,” he said.

Flora stepped inside, her heart already racing.

The door closed behind her with a quiet click.

Marcus' expression was grim and she noticed when she entered.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Marcus didn’t answer immediately.

He moved further into the room, gesturing for her to follow.

“Something isn’t right,” he said finally.

Her stomach dropped.

“What do you mean?”

He turned to face her.

“Did you tell anyone?”

The question hit hard.

“No,” she said quickly. “I didn’t tell anyone.”

His gaze sharpened.

“Think carefully.”

“I am,” she snapped, her nerves fraying. “I haven’t told anyone anything.”

Marcus studied her for a long moment.

Then exhaled.

“That means one thing—“

Before Flora could respond or ask…

Her phone buzzed and both of them froze.

Slowly, she pulled it out.

Unknown number.

Again.

Marcus’s voice was low.

“Open it.”

Her hands trembled as she did.

The message appeared.

“I see you’re not as stupid as I thought.”

Flora’s breath caught as another message followed.

“Now let’s make this interesting.”

Her heart pounded.

“Read it,” Marcus said.

Flora swallowed hard.

“‘If you want your secret to stay buried… you’ll do exactly what I say.’”

Silence.

Then—

Another message.

Her voice shook as she read:

“‘You’re going to ruin your mating ceremony.’”

“You’re going to humiliate Ryan Carter in front of the entire pack.”

Flora shook her head immediately. “No—no, I can’t—”

Marcus held up a hand.

“Keep reading.”

Her stomach twisted as the next message came in.

“And you’re going to accuse Selena. Tell them she’s been leaking pack secrets.”

Flora froze.

“What…?”

Her voice barely came out.

The room went completely silent.

Flora’s hands started shaking harder.

“That’s insane,” she whispered. “I can’t do that. That’s—”

“—strategic,” Marcus cut in quietly.

She turned to him in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious.”

His expression was unreadable.

“I didn’t say you should do it.”

“But you’re not saying I shouldn’t either!”

Another buzz.

They both looked at the phone.

Final message:

“If you refuse…”

“I’ll make sure everyone knows the truth.”

“Tick tock.”

Flora felt the air leave her lungs.

Her knees almost gave out.