Chapter 2

Selene's POV

Before I could fully process Victor's words or even try to catch my breath, he let go of Camilla’s hand and started to walk towards me.

The sound of his shoes against the polished floor echoed louder than anything else in the room. My heart slammed painfully in my chest as he came closer.

He was close enough that I could smell him. That familiar scent of cedarwood, earth, and a hint of something sharp beneath overwhelmed me. It wrapped around me, stirring up memories I had no business holding onto.

My lungs forgot how to work. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, desperate to hold myself together.

Victor stopped in front of me, towering over me, so tall and strong it felt like he sucked the air right out of the space between us.

His eyes locked onto mine. Dark. Unreadable.

For a second, I forgot everything—where we were, who was watching. I just stood there, my entire body humming, burning, waiting for something that would never come.

Then, he broke the silence.

And every bit of warmth shattered.

“The victim died,” Victor said, his voice flat, cold. “Someone has to take responsibility.”

The words hit like a slap. My stomach dropped.

Before I could even react, Vanessa’s voice rang out behind him, sharp and smug.

“Well, obviously, that someone isn’t Camilla.” Her arms were folded tight, her eyes gleaming. “She is the Alpha’s fated mate. She is carrying the heir to this pack. Selene, you’re perfect for this.”

Her gaze slid over me like something she had scraped off her shoe.

“Expendable.”

That single word crawled under my skin like poison.

My lips parted, my breath caught, but before I could speak, before I could scream at all of them, Camilla gasped.

A soft, breathy sound and everyone’s eyes snapped to her.

She clutched her stomach, letting out a small cry, swaying on her feet like she might collapse.

“Victor… ah,” she whimpered, her voice cracking perfectly. “Something is wrong… the baby…”

Victor moved instantly.

All the coldness in his face melted away as he turned, steadying her by the shoulders. His hands gentle, his voice low.

“Camilla,” he said, worry softening every line on his face. “What’s wrong? Do you need the doctor?”

She sniffled, blinking up at him, her lashes wet. “I-It’s nothing. I just felt dizzy. I think… I think the baby is fine.”

He reached down, covering her hand with his, his thumb stroking gently. Like she was something precious. Something fragile that might break if he let go.

Meanwhile, I just stood there. Watching. Burning. Forgotten again.

Then Helena’s voice snapped through the room like a whip. Her heels clicked as she stepped forward, her sharp eyes slicing through me like knives.

“And you wonder why Camilla is the one who will be the perfect Luna,” she sneered, her lips curling. “You’ve failed every duty expected of you, Selene. No child. No heir. Nothing.”

Her chin lifted, her voice louder now.

“Camilla will take her rightful place as Luna. It’s already decided. And if you refuse to take responsibility for the accident, you will be treated as a traitor.”

Her words pressed down on me like a weight. My throat tightened, my fists shaking at my sides.

Vanessa let out a short, cold laugh.

“Oh, come on Selene,” she added, folding her arms again. “You’re acting like we’ve mistreated you. Three years, Selene. Three years we let you stay here. Kept your title. Gave you a roof. Even after Victor found his true mate.”

Her smile stretched wider. “And now you hesitate to do one simple thing for us?”

I opened my mouth. Closed it again. I wanted to scream. Rip the smugness off their faces. But the words caught, trapped behind the tight knot in my chest.

Suddenly, Victor moved again.

He reached into his jacket pocket, calm, like nothing around us mattered and pulled out something smooth, glossy.

A check.

He held it out towards me, his face unreadable. Cold. Businesslike.

“One million,” he said flatly. “Take the blame.”

I stared at it. My pulse thundered in my ears. I couldn’t move.

“One million now,” Victor continued, his voice cool, distant. “But there will be more if you cooperate. Quietly. You can leave. Start fresh. I honestly don’t care.”

The paper in his hand felt like poison. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Couldn’t breathe.

And then, he looked at me, really looked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“What I don’t understand…” His voice dropped low, thoughtful. “Why did you stay? After Camilla came. After knowing I would never choose you. Why hold on when there’s nothing left?”

In that moment, something inside me cracked wide open. I felt it—like glass shattering in my chest.

My throat burned. My eyes stung. The tears came before I could stop them, hot and fast.

I let out a bitter, broken laugh. My whole body shaking now.

“It wasn’t about the title, Victor,” I whispered, my voice raw. “It was never about money.”

I swallowed hard, meeting his eyes even though my legs felt weak.

“I stayed,” I said, voice shaking, “because I loved you.”

The words came out like a confession, like a knife twisting deeper.

For a heartbeat, the room froze. No one moved.

The weight of silence pressing down so hard I thought I would crumble beneath it.

Then something inside me snapped.

I reached out, my fingers closing around that cursed check.

And before I could think, before I could talk myself out of it, I crossed the space and slammed it straight into Camilla’s perfect, painted face.

Her eyes widened, her mouth parting in shock.

“Keep your damn money,” I spat.

Helena gasped. Vanessa let out a sharp sound, stunned.

I didn’t care. I was done.

Every inch of me burned, shaking, trembling.

I turned to Victor, my voice louder now, breaking but clear.

“And her?” I snapped, my eyes cutting towards Camilla. “Her wrist injury? It’s nothing. It's barely a scratch. She’s not weak. She’s not fragile. She’s playing you. And you all are too blind to see it.”

Victor’s jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flickering there. He opened his mouth, but I didn’t give him the chance.

I straightened, dragging in a shaky breath, my voice hard now. “I’ve had enough.”

Everyone stared.

“I’ve had enough of pretending,” I snapped, stepping back. “I won’t be your wife anymore. I won’t be your Luna. I won’t keep living like this!”

My heart thundered. My hands shook. But I held my ground.

“I, Selene Blackwood, hereby reject you, Alpha victor of the Nightshade Pack. I am done.”

My words echoed, slamming into every wall, thick and final.

Victor’s eyes darkened. His shoulders stiffened, that sharp Alpha energy rolling off him in waves.

“Who do you think you are to reject me? How dare you, Selene?”