Him and I

Selene

“No…” I shook my head frantically, refusing to believe what I had just heard. “You’re lying. You’re just saying all of this because you don’t want me anymore. You’re trying to throw me out of your life. That's why you’re making up these ridiculous stories!”

My voice grew louder, filled with pain and disbelief. “This is all bullshit, Elias! Complete bullshit coming out of your mouth!”

Rage flashed across his face. In a blur of movement, he stormed toward me and wrapped his large hand around my throat, slamming me back against the wall. His claws extended, sharp tips digging into my skin as he squeezed.

I gasped, choking, my hands desperately clawing at his wrist. “Let… go…”

His eyes were dark and feral. “Should I kill you right now and right here?” he snarled, tightening his grip. “So you want to die and go ask your dead father in hell if I’m lying?”

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to breathe. “Please… let me go…”

He stared at me for a terrifying second before shoving me hard. My back slammed into the wooden door, pain shooting through my spine. I whimpered, my legs trembling.

“Leave,” he growled coldly. “We’re done here.”

Traumatized and shaking, I barely managed to open the door and stumble out into the night. The mate bond inside me was shredding apart, the pain so intense it felt like my soul was being torn in two.

I got into my car and drove aimlessly, tears blurring my vision, until I found a quiet bar on the outskirts of town. It was nearly empty. I sat at the far end of the counter and ordered drink after drink, desperately trying to numb the agony in my heart and the burning heat building in my body.

I was on my third glass when a deep, familiar voice spoke beside me.

“Selene?”

I turned slowly. Standing there in an expensive black suit, looking as handsome and powerful as ever, was Alpha Alaric of the Moonstone Pack.

“Alaric…?” I whispered in shock. “Is that really you?”

He nodded, concern already filling his eyes. “Yes, it’s me.”

I let out a weak, disbelieving laugh. “I must be drunk. There’s no way you’re actually here.”

Alaric was not just any random person that I knew, but he was my best friend Alexa’s older brother. I still talked to Alexa almost every week, but I hadn’t seen Alaric in almost a year, not since Alexa’s wedding. His pack, Moonstone, was very far from Whitemoon. It takes over a day and several hours by plane to get here. Seeing him in our territory felt completely strange.

“I actually came down here for a merger project,” he explained, pulling out the stool beside me and sitting down. “I’ll be flying back early tomorrow morning. I decided to grab a drink before heading to my hotel and… saw you here.”

I nodded slowly, still dazed.

Alaric’s sharp eyes scanned my face, then moved to the half-empty bottles in front of me. “Selene… why are you drinking like this? What happened?”

I tried to laugh it off, but the sound came out broken and hollow. “I just… needed to calm down. Everything is too loud in my head right now.”

He didn’t look convinced. He ordered a drink for himself, then turned fully toward me, his expression serious and gentle at the same time.

“Selene,” he said softly, “I know you. Something is very wrong. Talk to me.”

I sighed softly, staring into my glass. “I’m just… tired of this pack. I wish I could leave.”

Alaric studied me for a moment, then said gently, “So how about you come to Moonstone?”

I looked at him and laughed, the sound weak and hollow. “No, I was just joking.”

But deep down, I wasn’t joking at all. A part of me desperately wanted to run away from this place — from the pain, the humiliation, from everything. Still, I wasn’t ready to dump all my problems on him. I didn’t want to inconvenience him or drag him into my mess. With that thought, I lifted the glass and gulped down another shot.

Alaric seemed to sense I wasn’t ready to open up. Without saying a word, he reached out and gently brushed his thumb across the corner of my mouth.

My breath hitched. What was he doing?

“It’s beer froth,” he explained softly, as if reading the confusion on my face. His touch lingered for a second longer than necessary, warm against my skin, before he slowly pulled his hand back.

“Oh…”

“Now, if you ever need anything…” he said, his voice low and sincere, “…anything at all, just contact me.” He pulled out a sleek black card from his wallet and slid it across the counter. “That’s my private number.”

I took the card, my skin still tingling where he had touched me. “Alright then.”

Alaric’s eyes held mine for a long moment before he looked away and took a shot of his own drink.

“It’s getting late,” I said, standing up a little too quickly. “I should head back.”

Alaric frowned as he noticed how unsteady I was on my feet. “Are you sure you can drive? You look a little tipsy.”

“I’m fine,” I insisted, even though the room was spinning slightly.

He didn’t look convinced. “You look like someone who shouldn’t be behind the wheel right now. Why don’t I drive you back to the pack house?”

“Oh no, please don’t,” I said quickly, panic rising in my chest. “That’s really not necessary.”

The truth was, I was terrified. Max was often at the pack house, and he hated Alaric with a passion. If he saw me with him… I didn’t even want to imagine what might happen. I wasn’t scared of Elias anymore. He clearly didn’t want me. But my brother, my mother-in-law, and Liora? They were dangerous.

Alaric eventually gave in and arranged for a trusted driver to take me and my car back. He helped me into the backseat, his expression full of quiet worry.

“Be careful, Selene,” he said softly. “Call me if you need anything.”

I nodded, thanking him again as the car pulled away.

When I finally reached the pack house, I tiptoed quietly through the halls, careful not to wake anyone. The last thing I needed was another confrontation. The moment I entered my room, I slumped onto the bed, exhausted.

My phone started ringing. I checked the screen and smiled weakly when I saw Alexa’s name. I answered.

“Hello, girl! How are you doing?” she asked cheerfully.

“I’m… great,” I lied, my voice hoarse.

Alexa paused. “Well, my brother said you didn’t sound so great when he saw you earlier.”

My eyes widened. “He already told you?”

“Yeah. You’re my best friend, and he knows that. So tell me. What is really going on? You know you can trust and open up to me.”

I opened my mouth, but the words got stuck. “Um… it’s about…” I sighed. “How about we talk about this later? My head is killing me right now. I just want to sleep.”

“Okay,” she said softly. “Take care of yourself. Sweet dreams. Bye.”

“Bye,” I whispered.

I ended the call and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would take me quickly.

It didn’t even feel like hours had passed when I woke up again. My throat was painfully dry. I needed water.

I got out of bed and quietly made my way downstairs toward the kitchen. As I reached the hallway, I heard voices.

“…Selene is actually asleep right now, Alpha.”

I froze. That was Max’s voice.

I crept closer and peeped around the corner. My brother was on the phone, his back to me. From the tone of the conversation, he was talking to Elias.

Then I heard Elias’s cold voice through the speaker:

“I think it’s time that your sister goes out of the picture. I’m done with her. There’s nothing she’s contributing to my life and the pack. So I want you to kill her.”

My blood ran cold.

Max replied, sounding surprised, “You want me to kill Selene?”

“I’ll give you what you want,” Elias continued. “You said you wanted to be Beta of this pack, right? Kill her tonight, and the position is yours.”

I whimpered involuntarily, horror and heartbreak crashing over me.

The sound was small, but it was enough to be heard.

Elias’s voice sharpened. “What was that?”

Max turned around instantly.