CHAPTER 8: GUILT

SELENA'S POV

My tears seemed to have dried off.

The pain was so intense that I felt like I might be dying. My heart hurt.

It squeezed and clenched.

I felt nauseous.

Why? Why would Selene hurt me this way?

I had always been good to her. I spent 20 years of my life catering to her, giving her everything she could ever need and making her feel every love I could muster.

She was born weak and sickly, but I'd never blame or criticize her for once. I would fight for her whenever anyone tried to mock her.

I even lost our parents' favor because of her...

I had confronted them, frustrated them until they had no choice but to spend a hefty amount of money to pay her hospital bills.

Maybe this was also the reason we were sold.

But I had never questioned Selene. She was my sister, and I had vowed to spend the rest of my life protecting her. So, when did it go wrong?

What made Selene so twisted? Was it my fault? Did I do something wrong?

No matter how hard I think, I really couldn't remember anything I'd do wrong to her. I'd always spend my life putting Selene first. So, why would she do this to me?

I watched silently, lips quivering as Selene whispered like a maniac to my ears...

"I was always your shadow, Selena," She whispered. "I no longer want to be one."

My heart broke into a million pieces. Was this how my sister had always felt?

Why had I never noticed it? I thought she was happy.

Honestly, I thought Selene was always happy and optimistic. But it seemed I had been too delusional to notice her pain.

I had been too arrogant to listen to my sister's silent tears, too blind to see her pain, and too engrossed in my self-centeredness to help relieve her trouble.

It was my fault!

It had always been!

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, and tears rolled down my cheeks. "I should have noticed." I cried.

My fingers trailed up her cheeks and slowly caressed them — the same way I used to do when we were kids.

Those were the days we knew each other the best. The days I could decipher her thoughts through her eyes.

But those days had died in the turbulence of life.

I had killed those days with my hands.

"I'm sorry, Selene. I'm deeply sorry." I choked painfully.

Selene covered my hand with hers and shook her head. "No, Selena, it's too late. I've hurt you." She also began crying. "I shouldn't have made you cry."

I shook my head. "It's not your fault, Selene." I sobbed and wrapped her in my embrace.

I felt her trembling shoulders, and my chest ached terribly. My fragile sister was crying so much. Her tears, which were always too expensive to me, had been wasted so much in a single day. I had made her cry.

Even after promising myself that I'd protect her.

The door creaked.

Selene pushed me away, and I landed on the ground.

I winced in pain and tried to sit while I turned my head in the direction of the door to see Alpha Jared standing at the door.

His cold eyes stared at me. Too deep. But shifted to Selene in the next second, and he tilted his head. Confusion etched in his brows. "Who among you is Selena?" He asked coldly.

I shuddered, and my heart sank.

My mates no longer recognize me... and I could no longer perceive their scent.

A lump formed in my throat, and my eyes turned blurry from unshed tears.

"I asked, who among you is Selena?" Alpha Jared's cold voice rang impatiently.

I bit my lower lip and forced myself up, but my legs were too weak. I fell on my butt and a low groan escaped my lips.

But no one seemed to care.

Selene stood up and slowly bowed. "I'm Selena." She replied.

My eyes widened in shock.

I raised my head, "Se..."

Selene glared at me. Her usually warm eyes held unbelievable coldness and mania.

I swallowed hard.

"Selena?" Alpha Jared asked. His eyes flickered between us. "Come with me." He said and turned around.

While he turned, our eyes locked for a moment, and a subtle shift in his eyes drowned me in hope for a moment. However, he turned and left without looking back.

Selene gripped my chin and flashed a pleasant smile. "Sister, can I take your place only for today?" She asked.

It was a question, but it felt more like a command, and fear slowly crept into my heart.