Chapter 7

As Selene and Sia drove away, the atmosphere in the palace remained tense. Ethan returned to his study, his mind swirling with thoughts of Selene and the unexpected confrontation. He knew this situation required careful handling. He needed to talk to Bella, his Beta and cousin, who had always been a trusted advisor.

Bella entered the study a few minutes later, her expression serious. “Ethan, what happened? I heard there was quite a commotion.”

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. “Selene showed up, demanding to see me.”

Bella raised an eyebrow. “Selene? The woman from that night?”

“Yes,” Ethan admitted, his voice heavy with resignation.

Bella sat down across from him, her eyes narrowing. “What did she want?”

“She wanted answers. She’s been restless since that night, and she needed to understand why I left her a letter and money,” Ethan explained, his voice betraying a hint of frustration.

Bella frowned. “And what did you tell her?”

“I tried to explain that it was a mistake, that I have responsibilities and can’t afford distractions,” Ethan said, leaning back in his chair. “But she’s determined. She wants to talk, to try and find a way to make this work.”

Bella studied Ethan’s face, searching for any hint of his true feelings. “And what do you want, Ethan?”

Ethan hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I don’t know. Part of me feels something for her, but another part knows the risks. She could be used against me. It’s dangerous.”

Bella nodded, understanding the conflict within him. “But denying your feelings won’t make them go away. And pushing her away might not be the best solution either.”

“I know,” Ethan said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I need to be cautious. The pack’s safety comes first.”

Before Bella could respond, the door to the study opened, and one of the guards stepped in. “Alpha, there’s a rumor spreading among the omegas. They’re saying Selene came here to ask for money.”

Ethan’s eyes flashed with anger. “That’s not true. Selene didn’t come here for money.”

Bella stood up, her expression stern. “We need to address this immediately. False rumors can cause unrest.”

Ethan nodded, his anger giving way to determination. “Gather the senior omegas and the guards. I’ll set the record straight.”

Within minutes, the senior omegas and guards assembled in the main hall. The air was thick with tension as they waited for Ethan to speak. Bella stood by his side, her presence lending him strength.

Ethan stepped forward, his voice commanding attention. “I understand there are rumors circulating that Selene came here asking for money. Let me be clear: those rumors are false.”

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The murmurs in the crowd began to quiet down.

“Selene came here because she needed to speak with me about a personal matter,” Ethan continued. “She did not come for money, nor did she make any demands. This is a private issue that does not concern the pack’s affairs.”

One of the senior omegas stepped forward, his expression respectful but curious. “Alpha, we understand the need for privacy, but the rumors are causing concern. How can we be sure there’s no threat to the pack?”

Ethan’s gaze was steady. “I assure you, there is no threat. Selene’s visit was unexpected, but it was personal. I will handle this situation with the care it requires. Your focus should remain on your duties and the safety of the pack.”

Bella spoke up, her voice calm but firm. “As the Beta, I can attest to the truth of the Alpha’s words. Selene’s visit was personal and not related to any financial matters. We must trust in our Alpha’s judgment.”

The senior omega nodded, stepping back into the crowd. The tension began to ease, replaced by a sense of reassurance.

Ethan dismissed the assembly, his mind already racing with the next steps. As the crowd dispersed, Bella turned to him. “You handled that well.”

Ethan sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you. But this is far from over. I need to find a way to address this situation with Selene without jeopardizing the pack’s safety.”

Bella nodded. “We’ll figure it out. For now, let’s focus on damage control. We need to ensure the rumors don’t spread further.”

“I agree,” Ethan said, his mind already working on a plan. “I’ll need your help to keep things under control. We can’t afford any more distractions.”

“You have my support,” Bella assured him. “We’ll get through this.”

As they left the hall, Ethan felt a sense of determination settle over him. He knew the path ahead would be difficult, but he was resolved to face it. Selene’s visit had stirred something within him, and he couldn’t ignore it any longer. With Bella’s support and his own resolve, he would find a way to navigate this complicated situation while keeping the pack safe. For now, he needed to focus on maintaining stability within the pack and preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.

As they walked back to Ethan’s study, Bella glanced at him. “Ethan, you know this isn’t just about the rumors. The pack is watching you closely. Any sign of weakness or distraction can be exploited.”

Ethan nodded, his expression grim. “I’m aware. That’s why I need to handle this carefully. Selene’s presence complicates things, but I won’t let it compromise my leadership.”

Bella stopped, placing a hand on Ethan’s arm. “If you truly care for her, you need to find a way to balance both your duty and your personal feelings. The pack will respect you more if they see you handling this with integrity.”

Ethan sighed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. “You’re right, Bella. I’ll talk to Selene again, but I’ll make sure it’s on my terms. The pack’s safety comes first.”

Bella nodded, a supportive smile on her face. “I’ll be here to help you every step of the way. We’ll get through this together.”

Ethan nodded, appreciating Bella’s unwavering support. “Thank you, Bella. Your counsel means a lot.”

“Always, cousin,” Bella replied, squeezing his arm gently. “We’ll navigate this together, and come out stronger for it.”

Ethan took a deep breath, ready for the challenges ahead.