登入SELENA'S P.O.V My knees turned to liquid, and I grabbed onto the nearest thing, my chest heaving hard. I looked up to the paintings. On one hand, I was relieved that I did well enough to make sure she didn't see Alan as a father figure. On the other hand... on the other hand, I didn't even know how to start. How to introduce her to him, how to admit just how long I have lied to him, and how much of her life I took away from him."C," I said, turning to Sarah. "Did you tell her his name?""I had to," she said immediately. "I had no choice. She cried hard, thrashed around, and kept begging. I tried my hardest to mind link you but my wolf was far too weak and you were too far. I am sorry."I slowly sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers clenched into fists. Tears filled my eyes as I watched the paintings, and my mind flooded with Alpha Cole's eyes from earlier today. The way he had looked when he remembered that I always wanted my daughter's name to be Amanda.I can't say it is complete
SELENA'S P.O.V I stepped out of the car, then turned, my eyes meeting Evan's over the glass.He hadn't said anything else, but his words still rang in my head. What did I forget? For some reason, all that I could think of was the somewhat sad expression that crossed Cole's face earlier this morning when I talked about having no regrets. Is there something I am supposed to regret?The glass slowly came down, and Evan poked his head. "Mind link me when you are done. I will drive you home."I nodded absently, then turned away and walked into the gates. The apartment was large, with the yard filled with flowers and even a small fountain. I walked towards the door, then knocked, my chest heaving lightly.There was a short silence before the door swung open, and I came face to face with Sarah. She looked almost rejuvenated, her eyes bright, her smile big."Selena!"She immediately wrapped her hands around me, her chin resting on my shoulder."Thank you," I said, closing my hand around her
ALPHA COLE'S P.O.V I walked down the stairs, my fingers wrapped around my phone, and the alpha seal I had to carry for the council meeting. The encounter in Evan's mind still rang in my head. Maybe it was because I was stunned by the sheer audacity that Isaac had to have to believe this would somehow work out, or the slight, genuine fear deep down that I could be fucked if Evan hadn't been so loyal. So... protective."Cole."I stopped, then turned. Sylvia was standing behind me, a small, sheepish smile on her face.I might have been the world's worst husband if I had married this woman because I honestly forgot about her existence.I sucked in a deep breath and pushed my hands into my pockets. "You got out of psychotic hold."She laughed. "I was never mad. There is no one here. You can admit you did it on purpose to get me out of the way so you can fuck that little slut."I watched her, then gave a small shrug. "How did the place treat you? You don't seem any better. Should I ask for
SELENA'S P.O.V The air felt a little different once I stepped out of the palace. Not exactly in a good way, but not in a bad way either. Of course, I missed Alpha Cole's scent and his essence, but the palace intrigues made it almost choking to live there.I started to walk forward when the gates opened, and one of Alpha Cole's fleet drove out, coming to a slow step close to me.I stopped, my eyes squinting. Alpha Cole? I thought he was going somewhere else. Besides, I left him in bed. He wouldn't have been able to get ready in so short a time.The car door windows immediately rolled down, and Evan slowly poked his head out. "You are not doing a good job at hiding your disappointment."I rolled my eyes, then gave a small laugh. "Where are you going?""Your boyfriend sent me to pick you up," he said, then got out of the car. He towered above me for a few seconds before he walked around and opened the front door for me."Boyfriend?"He chuckled, and I have to say, it looked good on hi
ALPHA COLE'S P.O.V I watched the play of emotions on Selena's face, and the way her eyes darted between mine and the bracelet. She let out a shaky breath, then gave a smile, but the smile faltered on the edges.She was lying to me. After so long, she was still such a bad liar.What she was lying about, however, I wasn't sure."Right?" I asked again, watching her even closely.She gave a small nod that looked like she didn't want to at all, then wrapped her hand even tighter around the bracelet."You remembered. You remembered the name.""I remember everything about you, Selena." It was the most sincere thing I could have said in this moment.I remembered that name. I always imagined my daughter named Amanda because of it. I also remember what she looked like in the very very rare times she lied to me."Thank you," she whispered, sniffing lightly as she covered the distance to me.I pulled her closer. Her scent felt almost ingrained in my brain at this point, but I needed so much more
SELENA'S P.O.V My eyes fluttered open, and the first sight that hit me was the slightly tanned skin of a solid, warm chest. A smile immediately lifted my lips, and my eyes looked up.Alpha Cole was still asleep, one hand wrapped around my waist, the other beneath my head. I moved my leg up his hips and tightened my hands around him, stealing a minute longer in his chest before I go to Amanda.I can't lie, I thought about it. What if I asked him to come with me? But Amanda had never seen him and it felt like I might need to prepare her for the fact that her father was still very much alive."You are snuggly," he whispered, his fingers pushing into my hair.I laughed into his skin. "You are warm.""Stop that.""Why?" I asked, my shoulders shaking from the laughter I tried to suppress. It wasn't even that funny. Being around him was just novel. Beautiful."You are going to make me kiss you first thing in the morning with morning breath and.."I leaned up and kissed him first, laughing i
5 YEARS LATERSELENA'S P.O.V I watched Amanda run around the open field. Her hair was long, down to her back, but she had always ensured that I knew she wanted to keep it that way.I smiled to myself, my arms crossing over my chest. She was beautiful. Seeing her like this almost made me feel guilt
SELENA'S P.O.V.I blinked up, my chest heaving hard. I could smell a bit of smoke and an accompanying woody scent, very far from the exotic scents that I was used to around Alpha Cole and his palace. Alpha Cole.The thought came back unbidden. The night of passion that we had shared, the way he ha
ALPHA COLE'S P.O.V.The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur of... nothing. I tried my best to look the part of the man who believed he was making the right choice. But there was no right or wrong when Selena had looked at me like that. Like I was the enemy. Like I had broken her.And maybe I h
There was a moment of stunned silence that descended on the hall, following my announcement. I kept my eyes straight ahead, my gaze holding Alpha Cole's, unwavering.And then it erupted. Chaos. I could hear the names they called me, the scandalized gasps of wolves who couldn't believe that an escap







