The Silence Around Me

Chapter Forty Two: The Silence Around Me

Selene’s POV

I used to think silence was peace.

But now, silence is pain. Silence is confusion. Silence is punishment.

And I don’t even know what I’ve done wrong.

I stepped out of my room that morning with a small smile on my face. The hallway was bathed in early light, soft and golden, pouring through the high arched windows. For a moment, it reminded me of the mornings at my old pack, when Mama would hum as she cooked, and I would wake to the smell of warm bread and laughter.

But here—there was no smell of food.

No warmth.

No laughter.

Just silence.

The corridor felt emptier than usual. The guards stationed at the door didn’t meet my eyes. They just stood stiffly, staring ahead like statues. I paused, confused, then continued walking.

Maybe they were just tired.

I went to the kitchen, thinking maybe I could get something warm to eat. The moment I stepped inside, the conversation among the maids stopped. It wasn’t subtle. It was sharp, sudden—like a door slamming shut in my face.

Three women were standing there. One looked at me, then quickly looked away, like I had done something disgusting. The other two turned their backs to me and began chopping vegetables in silence.

I swallowed hard.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

No one replied.

Not a smile. Not even a nod.

I waited a moment, heart pounding, then quietly walked to the side, took a small cup of water, and left.

What… was that?

I walked slowly down the hall, trying to make sense of what just happened. Maybe they were in a bad mood. Maybe it had nothing to do with me.

But the same thing happened again.

In the training yard, I passed by two warriors I used to speak with. They always used to smile at me—even offered to teach me how to defend myself one day. But this time, when I walked by, they stopped talking. One of them stared at me like I was a ghost. The other just turned and walked away.

I stood there, my heart beginning to sink.

What was happening?

Had I done something? Said something?

Later that day, I saw one of the healer women—the kind one with curly gray hair who always checked on me. I waved slightly. She looked at me, opened her mouth as if to say something… then closed it, turned, and walked the other way.

That night, I sat alone on the edge of my bed, my knees pulled to my chest.

I felt like I was shrinking.

Like the walls were closing in.

Everyone was acting different. Everyone was suddenly cold. Distant. Harsh.

And I didn’t know why.

The Lycan King—Evric—hadn’t come to see me either. Not in two days. No meals sent. No visits. Nothing.

Maybe… maybe he had gotten tired of me.

Maybe my usefulness was over.

I stared at the moon outside my window, a lump heavy in my throat.

It wasn’t always like this.

There was a time when things started to feel like they were getting better—when people smiled at me, when I felt like maybe… maybe I wasn’t a prisoner anymore.

But now, all that had shattered without warning.

A tear slid down my cheek.

I didn’t want to cry.

I’d promised myself I wouldn’t.

But it was hard not to when it felt like the entire world had turned its back on you—and you didn’t even know why.

I hugged my knees tighter and tried to think.

Had I said something to Evric that upset him?

Was this punishment for asking too many questions?

Or… was something happening behind my back?

The thought chilled me.

I remembered the way one of the maids had looked at me—pity mixed with disgust. Like I was something to be thrown away.

Had someone said something about me?

A lie?

A rumor?

But who would do that?

I shook my head and stood up. I couldn’t just sit here and fall apart. I had to keep my mind steady. I had to stay calm.

Even if it felt like I was being slowly pushed out… forgotten… discarded.

My stomach growled, but I ignored it. I was used to hunger by now.

I paced my room slowly, listening to the sounds outside—the footsteps, the murmurs, the voices that didn’t reach me anymore. Once, I might have opened the door and peeked out.

Now?

Now I was afraid of what I might find.

Afraid of more cold stares. More silence.

I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, my heart heavy.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.

I didn’t know if Evric would ever speak to me again… or if I would wake up to find myself completely alone.

But I knew one thing.

Something was wrong.

Very, very wrong.

And I had no idea how to fix it.

**

I hugged my knees tighter. My heart ached so much it felt physical—like someone was pressing a blade into my chest and twisting it slowly.

Then—

Tap.

I froze.

My breath caught. I sat up straight.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It wasn’t loud. It was quick. Urgent.

I turned toward the window, panic already gripping my throat. Shadows moved beyond the balcony curtains. My heart raced so fast it drowned out every other sound in the room.

I walked slowly toward the window, fingers trembling as I pulled the curtain aside—

“Ronan?” I gasped.

He was dirty, bruised, sweating like he’d run through fire. His shirt was torn, blood on his arm. His chest heaved like he’d sprinted miles nonstop.

“Open it,” he mouthed, tapping again.

I hesitated only a second before sliding the glass open.

He stumbled in before I could say a word.

“Ronan! What the hell—” I rushed to lock the balcony door behind him.

He collapsed onto the floor, gripping his side, breathing so hard I thought he’d pass out.

“I ran…” he gasped. “I didn’t stop… I had to see you…”

“What?” I knelt beside him, grabbing his face with both hands. “How did you even get in here? This is the most guarded pack in the North—”

“That doesn’t matter,” he cut in, eyes wild and desperate. “Selene, listen to me. I missed you. I couldn’t sit still knowing what they’re doing to you.”

I blinked, tears stinging my eyes. “What are you talking about? No one’s doing anything to me—”

“No?” He gave a bitter laugh. “So you didn’t notice how everyone stopped talking to you? The guards, the maids, even your mate?”

That silenced me.

He took a breath, steadier this time. “Sasha came.”

My heart dropped.

“What?”

“She came here. To Evric. I overheard it before I left her pack.”

“No…” I shook my head, but something inside me twisted. “Why would she come here? Why now?”

“To poison him against you,” he growled. “That’s what she does. She’s turning him against you, Selene. She must’ve told him lies. Made it look like you’re the enemy.”

I stared at him, mouth open, chest rising and falling like I couldn’t catch my breath.

“No wonder,” I whispered. “No wonder everyone changed… no wonder Evric hasn’t even looked at me today…”

Ronan reached for me, his voice softer. “You don’t belong here anymore. You need to leave with me. Tonight.”

“But—” I shook my head. “It’s not that easy—if they catch you here—”

“I don’t care!” he snapped, voice cracking. “Let them kill me. I’ll die knowing I tried to protect you. That I didn’t sit back and watch while they broke you.”

I was crying now. “Ronan, don’t say that. You shouldn’t even be here—”

KNOCK.

A sharp knock shattered the moment like a gunshot.

I jumped back. My blood turned cold.

“Selene,” a deep voice called through the door.

Evric.

No. No, no, no.

I turned to Ronan, eyes wide with terror. “Hide! Please—if he sees you, he’ll kill you!”

Ronan didn’t argue. He scanned the room in a heartbeat, then dove for the bed, crawling under just as I yanked the blanket off the couch and let it drop over the frame to hide him.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Louder this time. More demanding.

I stood there, shaking, heart hammering in my chest so hard I thought it might burst through my ribs.

“Selene?” Evric’s voice came again, colder now.

I wiped my face, steadied my voice, and walked slowly to the door, knowing full well:

If he saw anything…

If he heard one wrong breath…

Ronan would die tonight.