In the reflection, I saw Selene clinging to Kael, her face buried in his chest.
“Ethan is too weak,” Selene’s voice was choked with tears. “He’s nothing like a true Alpha. I need a true Alpha, Kael. Someone like you.”
Kael’s hand gently stroked her back, his wolf exuding a scent of comfort and protection.
“Selene…” his voice was soft.
“If I break my bond with Ethan,” she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, “will you mark me?”
My heart nearly stopped.
Kael was silent for a few seconds before pulling her into a tighter embrace.
“You know the situation is complicated right now.”
He didn’t answer directly, but his actions spoke volumes.
“I know,” Selene nuzzled against his chest like a pup seeking comfort. “But Kael, I can’t wait much longer. My wolf craves you every day.”
“Just give me some more time,” Kael kissed her forehead. “I’ll handle everything.”
I felt the world spin.
The mate mark on my chest burned fiercely.
I clapped a hand over my mouth and stumbled away from the balcony.
I ran out of the club and into the back garden.
A river flowed nearby, its current swift under the moonlight.
My stomach churned, and I leaned over the riverbank, dry heaving.
It all made sense now.
Kael had never loved me.
He only marked me to shield Selene, to buy her time to secure her position as heir.
And I was just a tool in their plan.
“Clara?”
Selene’s voice came from behind me.
I slowly turned to see her walking gracefully toward me, her cheeks still flushed from Kael’s comfort.
“What are you doing out here?” she asked with concern.
“I saw,” I looked straight at her. “You and Kael on the balcony.”
“Saw what?” she feigned innocence.
“Your embrace, your conversation… everything.”
Selene’s expression slowly changed.
The pretense of innocence vanished, replaced by pure malice.
“Oh, so you heard everything,” she chuckled. “Saves me the trouble of acting.”
“Why?” my voice trembled. “Why would you do this to me?”
“Why?” Selene sneered. “Clara, you have no idea how much I’ve always hated you.”
She advanced on me, her eyes filled with undisguised jealousy.
“You’re the true daughter of the Red Fang pack, with the purest Alpha bloodline. I’m just an adopted stray. The moment I heard my father had found you, I knew my good days were over.”
“But I never wanted to compete with you for anything…”
“Shut up!” she snapped. “You think I’d believe that? The moment you regained your strength and revealed your true Alpha power, where would that leave me, the adopted daughter?”
My eyes widened.
“So you know what happened with that rogue attack.”
Selene’s smile twisted. “Right after you were found, I contacted Kael. I told him if he helped me cripple your wolf and turn you into a useless waste, I could remain the Red Fang heir, and the alliance between our packs would be stronger than ever.”
“What?”
“Why do you think Kael showed up just in time to ‘save’ you? Why do you think he was so ‘kind’ as to marry you?” her voice grew shrill. “It was all planned!”
I felt my world crumble.
“The attack three years ago… you planned it?”
“Of course! Those rogues were Kael’s men. Their mission was to injure you badly, to sever your connection to your wolf, but not to kill you.”
Selene gloated, “Then Kael could swoop in as your savior, mark a ‘cripple’ like you, and make everyone think he was so merciful.”
“And I would continue to be the secure heir of the Red Fang pack.”
“The Silver Dust…”
“That was my idea, too,” she nodded. “We had to make sure you never regained your strength. After all, a true heir with a pure Alpha bloodline could awaken at any time.”
I could barely stand.
Three years of pain and humiliation, all a meticulously crafted conspiracy between her and Kael.
“You… why would you be so cruel?”
“Cruel?” Selene burst out laughing. “Clara, this is the world of wolves—survival of the fittest. You’re too naive, thinking you could just waltz back into the pack and claim your birthright.”
She moved closer, her eyes venomous.
“You know what the most ironic part is? Kael is sick of you. Every night he’s with me, all he talks about is what a burden you are. He wishes he could get rid of his useless Luna, but he’s afraid of damaging his reputation.”
“You’re lying…” my voice shook.
“Lying? Then why do you think he still hasn’t completed the final mating ceremony with you? Why does he never talk about the future?”
Selene sneered, “Because in his heart, you’re not worthy of him! He loves me! He has always loved me!”
My wolf roared inside me.
Even suppressed by the Silver Dust, the rage and despair made it fight to break free.
“Have you had your say?” I trembled.
“Done? Not even close!” Selene’s face suddenly contorted with madness. “Clara, did you know? After tonight, you won’t be a problem anymore.”
She grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the river.
“Go die, you wolfless waste!”
