Chapter 9

Chapter 9

~Selena~

I hurried home, my heart racing with worry. My parents had sounded so urgent on the phone, so serious. I imagined all kinds of emergencies someone was hurt, something terrible had happened, maybe Evan was in trouble.

But when I burst through the front door, I found my parents sitting calmly in the living room.

“Selena,” my father said, his voice heavy with disapproval. “Sit down. We need to talk.”

I remained standing, confusion mixing with growing irritation. “What’s going on? You said it was urgent.”

“It is urgent,” my mother said. “Your sister came home in tears today. She told us what happened at the Alpha’s mansion.”

Of course. Of course this was about Serena.

“She said you humiliated her in front of Alpha Lucien,” my father continued. “That you made her look like a villain. Like some jealous, unstable girl. Is this true?”

I stared at them, unable to believe what I was hearing. “Did she tell you why she was there? Did she tell you that she showed up uninvited, dressed inappropriately, and lied to the Alpha about me?”

“She was trying to help you!” my mother insisted. “She was worried about you working so hard…”

“She was lying,” I interrupted, my voice sharp. “She wasn’t worried about me. She was jealous. She’s always been jealous of anything good that happens to me.”

“Selena, that’s not fair,” my father said. “She’s your sister. Your twin. You two should be supporting each other, not tearing each other down.”

I laughed, a bitter sound that surprised even me. “Supporting each other? Like she supported me when she slept with my mate? When she destroyed my life?”

My parents exchanged uncomfortable glances. They still didn’t know the full story, and I wasn’t about to tell them now.

“We expected better from you,” my mother said quietly. “We thought you would show remorse. That you would apologize to your sister and try to make things right.”

“Remorse?” I shook my head, feeling anger rise in my chest. “I’m not done, Mother. And Serena isn’t the only person who can get what she wants. Not anymore.”

“Selena….”

“I’m tired of being the good twin. The understanding one. The one who’s supposed to just accept whatever Serena does and forgive her.” I looked at both of them. “She wants to play games? Fine. But she’s going to learn that I can play them better.”

I turned and stormed off toward my room.

“Selena!” my father called after me, but I didn’t stop.

I was halfway up the stairs when I heard footsteps behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Serena.

“You think you’re so smart,” Serena hissed, following me into my room. “You think you can just turn everyone against me?”

I spun around to face her. “I didn’t turn anyone against you. You did that yourself when you attacked me in the Alpha’s hallway.”

“You slapped me first!”

“And you deserved it.” I crossed my arms. “You showed up there to sabotage me. To ruin the one good thing I have going for me. Did you really think I’d just let you?”

Serena’s face twisted with rage. “You don’t want to piss me off, Selena. I can make your life hell. I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.”

I stepped closer to her, meeting her glare with my own. “I’m ready for all the smoke, Serena. Bring whatever you want. Because here’s the thing I never lose when I’m locked in. And right now? I’m locked in.”

For a moment, Serena just stared at me, clearly not expecting this response. The old Selena would have backed down, would have apologized, would have tried to keep the peace.

But I wasn’t the old Selena anymore.

Serena’s eyes filled with tears real or fake, I couldn’t tell and didn’t care. She turned and ran out of my room, her footsteps pounding down the stairs.

“Serena hurt me!” I heard her wail to our parents. “She threatened me!”

I closed my door and couldn’t help but smirk.

I was just getting started.

———

The next morning, I returned to the Alpha’s mansion and went straight to Lucien’s office. When I entered, I found him already at his desk, but this time he didn’t even pretend to focus on his work.

He just stared at me.

His eyes followed me as I walked to my desk, as I set down my bag, as I settled into my chair. The intensity of his gaze made my skin heat, made my wolf purr with satisfaction.

“Alpha Lucien,” I said softly, looking up at him. “I want to apologize for last night. For pulling out on you so suddenly. I hope I didn’t ruin the evening.”

“It wasn’t a problem,” Lucien said, though his voice was strained. “Your family needed you. That’s important.”

“Still,” I said, biting my lip. “I feel bad about it. Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

Lucien was quiet for a moment, his eyes still locked on mine. Then he spoke.

“There’s a horse racing contest this afternoon. At the Silver Ridge track. I need to be there for some business ties, networking with other Alpha leaders who’ll be attending.” He paused. “Would you like to come with me?”

“I’d love to,” I said immediately. Then I looked down at my simple work clothes. “But I don’t have anything appropriate to wear to a horse racing event. These are just my office clothes.”

“That’s not a problem.” Lucien stood up and walked to the door, opening it. “Marie! Come here, please!”

A maid appeared almost instantly. “Yes, Alpha?”

“Take Selena to the wardrobe department. Get her fitted for something appropriate for a horse racing event. Make it urgent.”

The maid’s eyes widened slightly with surprise, but she nodded. “Of course, Alpha. Right away.”

I stood up, smiling at Lucien. “Thank you, Alpha Lucien.”

As I started to follow the maid out, I heard heavy footsteps in the hallway.

The door burst open, and Damon stormed in.

“Father,” he said, not even acknowledging my presence. “We need to talk. Now.”

“Then talk,” Lucien said calmly, returning to his desk.

Damon’s eyes finally landed on me, and his expression darkened. “Alone. This is private.”

“Selena can stay,” Lucien said, sitting down. “Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of her.”

“But Father…”

“Selena,” Lucien interrupted, looking at me. “Please remain in the office. It’s your work hour, after all. You’re supposed to be here.”

I had to fight to keep the smile off my face as I returned to my seat. Damon looked furious, his jaw clenched tight.

“This is ridiculous,” Damon said. “You’re letting her sit in on private family matters?”

“You said you wanted to talk to me,” Lucien replied evenly. “I’m listening. Talk.”