Chapter 86

Anthony's POV

I stood just outside the doorway, my hand on the old wood, struggling to breathe. I could hear them, Selene and Melissa, talking softly inside. Part of me knew I should walk away because I had already heard too much. But my feet wouldn’t move.

“Selene…” Melissa’s voice rang out brightly. “That’s amazing! Your fated mate? That’s huge. You could finally be free from Victor. You could have everything you’ve ever wanted.”

I closed my eyes at that moment as it suddenly felt like all the air had been knocked out of me.

Selene had a fated mate?

I pressed my fist against the doorframe, fighting the ache that was spreading in my chest. It was stupid, I knew that, maybe even selfish. But in that moment, all I could feel was the cold truth settling in—I had already lost.

“Maybe,” Selene whispered, her voice so soft I almost didn’t hear it.

“Then be ready when your fated mate shows up. Don’t look back,” Melissa replied.

After that, silence filled the room. And at that moment, I cou