A FADING HOPE

Selena

"This is my life now."

The understanding struck me harder than any slap, insult, or nasty laughter. I was nothing here. Just an outsider, a servant, a weakling in a pack that relied on strength. Every day was a battle—and I was losing.

The Bloodfang wolves did not simply ignore me; they reveled in my misery. They tripped me when I walked past, murmured insults loud enough for me to hear, and always served my meals last and coldest. They viewed me as an embarrassment to their pack, a blemish on their reputation.

Lucian did nothing to stop them.

If anything, he encouraged it.

---

"Faster, omega."

I gritted my teeth while cleaning the floor of the great hall, my hands rough and throbbing. The warriors' laughter filled the room as they marched by, walking over the soapy water I had poured.

Darius, a broad-shouldered wolf, kicked over my bucket and spilled dirty water all over my clothes.

"Oops," he sneered. "Clumsy little thing, aren't you?"

The others chuckled. Clenching my fists, I forced myself to remain silent. I could not fight them. I would not win.

A low growl came from behind me, and I whirled, expecting another harsh expression. Instead, my breath caught.

Lucian.

His bright blue eyes latched on mine, and for a brief time, I believed I saw something. Something that was not hate.

Concern? Pity? No. That was not possible.

His attention shifted to Darius. "Enough."

The room became silent. The warriors exchanged glances before stepping aside. Darius sighed and muttered under his breath before departing with the others.

Lucian turned back to face me. "Clean it up."

And just like that, the moment passed.

---

But then something changed.

One night, after a tough training session in which I was forced to spar with a wolf twice my size, I staggered back to my quarters, wounded and aching. As I approached the entrance, a hand grabbed my wrist.

I gasped, staring up at the piercing blue eyes that tormented my every thought.

Lucian.

He did not speak. He simply took me into his chambers and shut the door behind him. The air was thick with tension, and his presence was overwhelming.

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered. "Why do you hate me so much?"

His jaw stiffened. "Because you shouldn't be here."

"And yet, here I am," I responded. "You treat me like dirt, but you do not send me away. Why?"

He didn't respond. Instead, he drew closer, his scent engulfing me and mesmerizing me. My heart beat against my ribcage.

Then he kissed me.

I froze, unable to keep up with what was happening. His lips were rough, demanding, and I melted. For the first time in my life, I was not invisible. I was not useless. I was wanted.

When he lifted me into his arms and carried me to his bed, I allowed myself to imagine for a brief moment that he was beginning to accept me.

I was a fool.

---

Days passed, and Lucian acted as if nothing had occurred. He ignored me and spoke to me only when necessary. But I clung to that night, believing it had meant something. I was convinced that, deep down, he did not detest me as much as he seemed to.

And then I saw them.

Helena.

My sister.

The woman who had detested me since I could remember. The woman who blamed me for our parents' deaths and referred to me as a curse.

And she was in Lucian's arms.

I stood transfixed at the doorway of the training grounds, my stomach twisting in knots as I watched him tip her chin up and brush his lips against hers. The way he had touched me. The way he had kissed me.

It hadn't meant anything.

My breath caught, and Lucian's gaze shifted to mine. His expression twisted for a moment, perhaps with guilt? Regret? But then it vanished, replaced by the cool indifference he had always worn.

Helena grinned, turning in his arms to face me directly. "Oh, my dear sister," she cooed. "I didn't see you there."

Lucian said nothing. He simply observed me, his look opaque.

My heart splintered into millions of bits.

Without saying anything, I turned and ran. With my sister here, my life is going to be more hell.

---

I packed the little I had that night. I could not remain. Not after this.

But as I placed my palm on my tummy, a wave of nausea hit me, and everything became clear.

The dizziness. The fatigue. My body felt strange.

I wasn't simply abandoning Lucian.

I was pregnant with his child.