The Choice That Changed Everything

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Choice That Changed Everything

Selene’s POV

I sat on the cold stone step outside the mansion gate, hugging my knees tightly. The night air was quiet, but my heart was noisy—beating too fast, too loud. I didn’t know how long I had been sitting there after he walked away. The same man who helped me… then told me to leave… then helped me again. And now?

Now he wanted me to pretend to be his wife.

A contract marriage for one year.

One year of pretending to be something I’m not. One year of being close to someone who had already made it clear he didn’t care about me.

But where else could I go?

I had no pack.

No family.

No protection.

I had no name that meant anything anymore.

I stared down at my dirt-stained hands. My fingers were scraped, my knuckles bruised from everything I’d been through. Was this really what my life had become?

“Do I even have a choice?” I whispered to no one.

My father’s voice floated into my head.

“Even when they push you down, rise like the storm you are, Selene.”

My throat tightened. I wiped my eyes and slowly stood up. My legs trembled a little, but I forced myself to walk back toward the large gates of the mansion. The guards saw me, but didn’t stop me. They opened the door like they’d been told to expect me.

I walked in.

The halls were silent. Cold marble floors. Tall golden lights. Everything smelled clean, expensive… powerful.

He was waiting in the study. Sitting behind a large wooden desk, reading a file. The same unreadable expression on his face. Calm. Strong. Distant.

He looked up slowly when I entered.

“You’re back.”

I nodded. “I’ll do it.”

He didn’t smile. Not even a little. “Sit.”

I walked over and sat across from him, my hands on my lap.

“You’ll sign a contract now,” he said. “Read it carefully. There are rules.”

He slid a piece of paper across the table.

My eyes scanned the list:

• You will act as my wife in public.

• You will not ask questions about my business.

• We will not share a room.

• You will not touch me unless I say so.

• You will keep my secrets.

• After one year, you will leave. Quietly.

My hands trembled slightly, but I picked up the pen and signed.

He watched me. “This is not love, Selene. This is survival. For both of us.”

I looked up. “I understand.”

He stood. “Come. You’ll stay in the east wing. You’ll find new clothes, food, and anything you need. If you need help, call Mira, your maid. Tomorrow, I introduce you to the council as my mate.”

I followed him quietly. The halls were wide and cold. Paintings of powerful wolves and warriors lined the walls. When we reached my room, he stopped.

“One more thing,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. “You will not fall for me. It will only make things harder.”

I gave a bitter smile. “I already know how hard it is to love the wrong person.”

He didn’t reply. He left.

⸻

The room was too clean. Too soft. I didn’t belong here.

I sat on the edge of the huge bed and looked at the gold-framed mirror across from me. I barely recognized the girl in it.

She had been chased out of her home. Poisoned. Broken. Tossed aside.

And now… she wore the title of “wife” like a chain.

I didn’t cry. Not anymore.

I just lay down and stared at the ceiling, repeating one sentence over and over in my head.

You have one year, Selene. Make it count.

⸻

A Few Hours Later…

Somewhere in another room, I heard him talking to someone.

A man’s voice. Maybe his Beta.

“You really chose her?” the man asked.

“She’s stronger than she looks,” the Lycan King replied. “And… she’s not just an Alpha’s daughter.”

“What do you mean?”

He paused. Then said quietly,

“She’s the key to everything.”