Misunderstood

Just as Selene was returning from serving the Alpha and Luna, carrying an empty tray, Kai appeared suddenly from a side path. He grabbed her arm roughly and dragged her into a secluded corner behind a tall hedge, away from prying eyes.

Selene gasped in shock, nearly dropping the tray. “P-Prince Kai—”

“Shut up,” he hissed, his grip tight on her arm. His eyes burned with fury. “Did you tell anyone about last night? About us being mate?”

Selene quickly shook her head, fear and pain swirling inside her. “N-No… I didn’t tell anyone.”

Kai’s expression darkened. “Good. And you never will. Do you understand me? Never speak of this bond to anyone. I will never have anything to do with you. You should already know that the one I love is your sister, Elara. She is everything you are not, beautiful, strong, and worthy. You… you are nothing.”

He released her arm like she disgusted him and stepped back.

Without another word, he turned and stormed off, leaving her standing there alone.

Selene’s legs gave out. She dropped to her knees on the soft grass, the tray falling beside her with a dull thud. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks as the weight of his cruel words crushed what little hope the morning had given her.

She didn’t notice the young maid hiding behind a nearby tree, eyes wide with shock. The maid had heard everything.

……

The young maid named Lila stood nervously outside the Luna’s private sitting room, her hands twisting the edges of her apron. Her heart pounded so hard she feared it might burst from her chest. She had debated for nearly an hour whether to speak or stay silent. Speaking against the future Alpha was dangerous. But the pain she had seen in Selene’s eyes refused to leave her mind.

With a deep, shaky breath, she knocked softly on the door.

“Come in,” Luna Astra’s gentle voice called.

Lila stepped inside, keeping her head bowed. Queen Astra was seated near the window with a book in her lap, the morning light softening her features. She looked up and smiled warmly at first, but her expression changed when she noticed the maid’s pale face and trembling hands.

“Lila? What’s wrong, dear? You look frightened.”

Lila hesitated, shifting from one foot to the other. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “Your Majesty… I… I saw something this morning. I heard something. I don’t know if I should say it, but… it involves Prince Kai and Lady Selene.”

Astra’s smile faded completely. She closed her book and sat up straighter. “Come closer. Sit down. Tell me everything. You have nothing to fear here.”

Lila sat on the very edge of the chair, still hesitant. She took another deep breath, her voice shaking as she spoke.

“I was cleaning near the garden hedges when I saw Prince Kai drag Lady Selene into a corner. He looked very angry. He asked her if she had told anyone about them being mates. When she said no, he warned her never to speak of the bond. He said… he said he would never have anything to do with her. That he loves Lady Elara and that Selene is… nothing. He told her she should already know her place.”

Luna Astra’s eyes widened in shock. She sprang to her feet, her face draining of color. The memories came rushing back, years ago when She had rejected Lysander so coldly in front of everyone. The humiliation. The pain. The years of suffering she endured before they finally found their way to each other.

“No…” Astra whispered, her voice filled with disbelief and rising anger. “Not my son. Not again.”

Without wasting another second, she hurried out of the room. “Find Alpha Lysander immediately,” she ordered a nearby guard. “Tell him it’s urgent. And bring Prince Kai to the throne hall. Now.”

---

Fifteen minutes later, the throne hall was heavy with tension.

Alpha Lysander sat on his throne, his expression dark. Luna Astra stood beside him, arms crossed, her eyes burning with determination. Kai entered the hall with a confused frown, still dressed in his training clothes.

“What is this about?” Kai asked, looking between his parents. “Why did you summon me so suddenly?”

Astra didn’t waste time. “Is it true? Is Selene your mate?”

Kai’s entire body stiffened. His jaw clenched. For a moment he considered lying, but the look in his mother’s eyes told him they already knew.

“Yes,” he finally admitted coldly. “The Moon Goddess made a mistake. That weak, wolfless girl is not fit to stand beside me.”

Lysander’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Watch your tongue, boy.”

Kai stepped forward, his voice rising with frustration. “Father, you can’t be serious. People will laugh at me. The future Alpha mated to the cursed dark-skinned girl everyone avoids? She has no wolf! She’s an embarrassment. Elara is the one I love. She’s beautiful, strong, and respected by the whole pack. Selene is… nothing. I will never accept her.”

Astra’s voice cracked with emotion. “Do you even hear yourself? This is exactly what I did to to your father years ago. I suffered for so long because of my rejection. I will not allow my son to put another girl through that same pain!”

Kai turned to his father desperately. “Father, please. You know I’m right. The pack will see me as weak. They will mock our family. I cannot marry her.”

Lysander rose slowly from his throne, his powerful aura filling the hall. “Those are meaningless excuses, Kai. A true Alpha does not reject his mate out of pride or fear of gossip. He leads with honor. If you refuse to do the right thing, then you are not worthy of becoming Alpha.”

Kai’s face twisted in anger. “You would choose that girl over your own son?”

Lysander’s voice became ice cold. “If you do not marry Selene, I will disown you as my heir. Your cousin Zack will become the next Alpha.”

The words landed like a thunderclap.

Kai’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Zack his arrogant, power-hungry cousin who had always competed with him, becoming Alpha? The thought made his blood boil with rage.

“You can’t do that!” Kai shouted. “Zack is not even a true royal! He doesn’t deserve it!”

“Then make your choice,” Lysander said firmly. “And make it soon. You have one week to decide. Marry Selene and accept the bond, or lose everything.”

Kai stood there trembling with fury. In his mind, only one person could have reported him so quickly. Selene. That weak, pathetic girl had run to his parents and manipulated them. His hatred for her grew tenfold in that moment. He now saw her not just as an unwanted mate, but as a scheming, manipulative snake.

Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the hall, slamming the heavy doors behind him.

Astra watched her son leave, her heart heavy. She turned to Lysander, worry clear in her eyes.

“Do you think he will listen?” she asked softly.

Lysander sighed deeply. “He has no choice. History will not repeat itself in my pack. Not while I’m still breathing.”