Chapter 1

Selene's POV

Some silences don’t feel empty.

Some silences scream.

That was the kind of silence I lived with in this house—a thick, heavy thing that stuck to my skin, wrapped around my throat, and pressed down on my chest until breathing felt like a chore.

It had been three years. Three endless years since Victor found Camilla. His fated mate.

Three years since I learned how to become invisible in my own marriage. How to move without being seen, how to speak without being heard.

I was still Luna, yes. On paper. A title. A placeholder. But inside, I felt empty. I was like a shell wearing a crown that was too heavy, a crown that pinched and bruised, weighing me down until my spine wanted to snap.

I told myself that I could survive it. That silence couldn't kill me. But I was wrong.

Because nothing—not the sleepless nights, not Victor’s cold eyes, not the whispered gossip—prepared me for the moment his mother, Helena, looked me in the eye and told me to fall on my sword.

Helena’s estate sparkled like something out of a storybook. Gold ribbons curled down polished staircases, chandeliers glittered, and candles flickered softly. In one corner, a towering pine tree was adorned with glitter and lights, like it could cover up the sharp tension crackling in the air.

I stood by the door, stiff, my fingers curling into fists so tight the skin ached. My pulse drummed hard in my ears. Across the room, Helena paced, the sound of her heels tapping sharply against marble floors like a ticking clock counting down to something terrible.

Victor's sister, Vanessa leaned lazily against the wall with her arms crossed and a glint in her eyes. That smirk playing on her lips made my stomach twist. She was enjoying this. Whatever this was.

I already knew I wouldn’t like it.

Helena stopped pacing suddenly and fixed me with a piercing, cold stare.

“You’ll take responsibility for the accident, Selene.”

For a second, I thought I misheard her. My throat felt tight. “I’m sorry, what?”

Her gaze didn’t waver. “Camilla cannot be associated with a scandal. She’s far too delicate. Too valuable. But you…” She flicked her hand, like brushing away dust. “You’re used to handling messes, aren’t you?”

A chill spread through my stomach.

Vanessa laughed under her breath, pushing off the wall. “Let’s not pretend,” she drawled, eyes raking over me. “Who better to take the fall than the omega who’s so good at being walked on?”

Her words hit harder than they should.

Omega.

She said it like it was dirt in her mouth.

I swallowed hard. “I had nothing to do with the accident.”

Helena raised an eyebrow, like my words bored her. “It’s not about the truth. It’s about protecting the pack's reputation. Someone has to take the fall.”

Her words settled over me like ice water, sending shivers down my spine. And just when I thought I had hit the bottom, Camilla walked in.

She was always so good at timing.

Her eyes were glistening with tears, red-rimmed, her lips slightly parted like she had been crying for hours. Hands twisting nervously at her waist, like she didn’t know where to put them.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Don’t blame Selene. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have been driving. I just… I wanted to find something special for Mother. A Christmas gift. I wasn’t paying attention. It’s all on me.”

She bit her lip, glancing up through wet lashes. The picture of fragile innocence.

“If I… if I have to pay for it,” she stammered, “even if it costs me my life, I’ll take whatever punishment comes.”

The room went deathly still.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure they could hear it.

I stared at her, feeling my stomach twist. How easily she slid into the role. How sweet, how selfless she looked—while underneath, I could feel the blade twisting.

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to laugh.

But mostly, I wanted to run far, far away.

And then, she did it.

Her hand dropped gently to her stomach. Her lashes fluttered before her eyes lifted, soft and unsure.

“I wasn’t going to say anything yet…” she whispered, her voice breaking in all the right places. “But maybe now is the right time…”

She took a shaky breath.

“I’m pregnant.”

The words dropped like a bomb. She was pregnant? With Victor’s child?

For a moment, the room spun. I couldn’t feel my legs. I couldn’t hear the gasps or Vanessa’s delighted laugh. I couldn’t even breathe.

All I could hear was that word “pregnant” echoing over and over, crashing against my ribs. It felt like my lungs had been ripped out.

Just then the door opened, and I looked up to see Victor.

He stepped inside, tall and sharp and carved from stone. Every part of him commanded attention, the kind of presence that silenced a room without trying. His dark eyes swept over everyone, cold and unreadable.

My stupid, traitorous heart jumped. I thought maybe, this time, he would see me. Maybe.

But no. Instead his eyes locked straight on Camilla.

She gasped softly, her body swaying like she might collapse.

“Victor…” she breathed, her voice trembling. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for…”

He crossed the room in long strides, his jaw tight, his eyes sharp.

He stopped in front of her, his hand lifting to brush her cheek gently. The kind of touch I hadn’t felt in years.

“Are you hurt?” His voice was low, so soft it scraped something raw inside me.

She shook her head quickly, tears clinging to her lashes. “No… but…”

“Shh.. that’s all that matters.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. My fingers curled painfully into fists.

Enough. This was too much.

“Alpha,” I said, my voice coming out shakier than I wanted. “I need to talk to you.”

He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Didn’t look at me.

Camilla’s hand stayed tight in his.

I forced myself to step forward, even though my legs felt like they might give out. “Your mother and Vanessa… they want me to take the blame. For the accident. They’re saying Camilla…”

“She didn’t mean for any of this,” Helena cut in, her voice sharp and dismissive. “Selene, don’t be difficult for heaven's sake. It’s for the good of the pack.”

“For the good of the pack,” Vanessa repeated, her smile lazy and cruel. “You’re used to being the shield, aren’t you, Selene? Why change now?”

My chest felt tight. Every word slammed into me, hard, sharp.

“Alpha,” I tried again, my voice cracking. “You know I wasn’t involved. You know it isn’t right.”

Finally, he turned slightly. But his hand never left Camilla’s.

His face was blank. A wall.

And I just stood there, bracing myself, knowing I was about to shatter into pieces.

Then he spoke.

“Selene.”

Just my name. Flat. Cold. But something flickered in his eyes, something too fast to catch.

And then, quietly, like it cost him nothing, he said:

“I know it wasn’t your fault.”

For a second, the words didn’t make sense. They bounced around in my skull, unable to land.

Had he really…?

Victor looked away, back at Camilla like the moment never happened. But his words stuck, clinging to me.

Helena’s face tightened. Vanessa’s smile twitched. Camilla’s hand gripped his tighter, her eyes flicking towards me.

I stood there, barely breathing, my heart pounding so loud I thought I might break.

Did he mean it? Did I imagine it?

For the first time in three years… had something actually cracked open? Or was I just dreaming?