Chapter Four

Selena POV

I stood there frozen in the middle of the road, the car approaching me at an alarming speed. Panic surged through my veins, and I closed my eyes, anticipating the impact when I heard the screeching sound of brake piercing the air, the car came to a halt just inches away from me.

"Oh goodness, we are alive!" Ember let out a sigh of relief.

Relief washed over me, I opened my eyes, and I spotted a figure stepping out of the Mercedes-Benz Car as he approached me. It was Asher, the pack beta.

"Are you blind? can't you see you are in the middle of the road?" he snapped angrily.

I lifted my head to meet his gaze, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face as he recognized me.

"Selena, it's you" his voice calm, "Thank goodness, I didn't run you over."

By the way, what are you doing out here? Aren't you meant to be in the mansion? And what with that bag you're holding?" he asked.

"I was sent out of the mansion." I managed to reply, as tears welled up in my eyes.

"What happened?" he asked, surprise in his voice.

I fidgeted with the hem of my dress unable to tell him what happened.

"You can confide in me, I won't judge you," he said sensing my hesitation, his voice laced with sincerity.

Taking a deep breath, I told him everything that happened. I avoided his gaze, afraid of what he would think of me.

"Selena, look at me", he said gently, placing his hands on my shoulder, slowly I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

" Don't blame yourself for what happened, it was meant to happen," he said, his words comforting and overwhelming. Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed harder.

"Thank you", I whispered.

He reached out to his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to me.

"So where do you plan to go," he asked.

"I'm going back home I guess," I replied.

"Get into the car. let me take you home," he instructed, his tone firm.

"You don't have to Beta Asher. I can just take a cab home."I tried refusing.

"I insist," he said.

"But I-I don't want to……" I didn't finish what I was about to say when he shot me a glare.

I let out a sigh, I made my way to the car and got in, the cool breeze from the air conditioner eased the tension that had built up within me.

Asher got in as he drove us out of the estate. The ride to my house was quiet, he focused on driving while I stared out the window lost in thought.

"We're here, " he voice snapping me out of my reverie, I blinked realizing we'd arrived at my small homey cottage. I stepped out of the car clutching my bag tightly.

" Thanks for the ride Beta, I'm grateful," I said

"You're welcome", he responded, retrieving a card from his suit pocket and extending it to me.

"Here is my business card, don't hesitate to call me if you need anything"

I accepted the card from him," Thank you", I replied watching him as he drove away.

As I stepped into the compound of my cottage house, a strong sense of deja vu washed over me. It's been over two years since I left to work in the Alpha's mansion.

I looked around the compound, everywhere looked just the same. The familiar beauty of the garden is vibrant sunflowers, delicate Rose petals, strawberries, and grapefruits alongside some veggies adorning it.

I walked through the pathway leading to the entrance, and my heart skipped a bit, as my palm suddenly became sweaty, I was nervous.

I took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell twice, I could hear the turning of the doorknob from the inside, she opened the door and gasped when she saw it was me.

Dropping my bag, I rushed forward enveloping her in a tight embrace, tears streaming down my face, I sniffled her unique scent of lavender soothing my soul. I've missed her so much.

"Awwwwnnn, mommy's cry baby." Ember teased.

"Selena dear, you're here." her voice filled with surprise and happiness as she hugged me tightly and rubbed my back gently.

Reluctantly, I broke the hug gazing at her radiant beauty. She's still as beautiful as ever with her captivating blue eyes and her long black silk hair cascading down her shoulder. She gestured for me to come in.

I stepped into our living room, it might be small but it has this cozy feeling attached to it. Everywhere looks just the same. I looked up to see our beautiful frame hung on the wall. I sat on the chair facing my mom.

"Selena dear, I've missed you so much, look at how beautiful you've become, my baby is now a grown-up lady," she exclaimed, happiness evident in her voice.

"Missed you more Mom," I replied, fidgeting with the hem of my dress as I contemplated on how to tell her I'd been fired.

"Sweetheart, is everything alright?" She asked as she observed my uneasy behavior.

I didn't know how to break the news to her, I was scared of what her reaction would be.

"Go on, tell her." Ember urged in my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to face her, "I've been sacked Mom" I said breaking the news to her.

Her eyes widened in shock "What happened dear?"

I explained how everything happened to her; right from the mating party to how I ended up in the bed with the Alpha which resulted in him firing me. My face was already soaked in tears by the time I was done.

" I swear Mom, I didn't seduce him." I tried defending myself when I saw she was keeping quiet.

"Sshhh…. I believe you", she interrupted, surprising me with her words. "I know you would never stoop to such an extent, I know the kind of daughter I raised."

"You mean you believe me Mom?", you are not angry with me?"I asked, she shook her head in approval.

"Come here darling," she said extending her arms, as I hugged her tightly.

That was all I needed -her belief in me. As long as she believes me, I don't care if no one believes me.

"It's okay darling, don't blame yourself, it was meant to happen, everything will be fine," she assured me, gently patting my back.

"Go freshen up in your room while I prepare something for you to eat, you must be hungry," she said.

Just then my stomach growled loudly, causing me to blush in embarrassment, I quickly got up and scurried to my room. I could hear my mom laughing at my clumsiness.

I opened the door of my room, and stepped into my bedroom, everywhere was just the way I left it, neat and arranged. I'm sure my mom tidied my room every day. I sank onto my bed, missing the comfy feeling of it.

I opened my wardrobe, took my nightgown, placed it on the bed, and made my way to the bathroom to take a shower. I turned on the shower, the cold water cascading over my body, soothing my nerves.

Feeling refreshed, I changed into my nightgown and tied my hair into a bun. I made it out of my room and navigated to the living room.

My mom had already set the table, and the mouth-watering aroma of mashed pot and grilled steak filled the air making my stomach growl in excitement.

Taking a seat at the dining table, I watched as my mom dished out the food on my plate. Mashed potato and grilled steak happens to be my favorite, my mouth watered at the sight. I took a spoonful into my mouth savouring every bit of it.

I was done eating, I carried the plate to the kitchen and washed it. I made my way back to the living room, I found my mom engrossed in her knitting. We chatted for a while before I started feeling sleepy.

"Good night Mom," I yawned, feeling the weight of sleeping settling upon me.

"Goodnight darling," she replied, her voice filled with love and tenderness.

I made my way back to my room, locking the door behind me. I lay on my bed as I drifted to slumber.

I woke up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty, Reluctantly, l dragged myself out of the bed and made my way to the kitchen to drink water.

I was going back to my room when I noticed my mom sitting in the dining area, lost in deep thought.

"Mom! Mom!" I called out, snapping her out of her reverie. "Are you okay?"

She responded with a forced smile attempting to conceal whatever was troubling her. "Yes dear, I'm fine," she replied.

"Why are you not sleeping?" she asked

"I was feeling thirsty, so I went to the kitchen to drink water," I explained.

"Okay dear, get some sleep," she said. I nodded in agreement, making my way back to my room.

I lay on my bed unable to sleep, a nagging sense of unease tugging at my thoughts. something was off with my mom, but I couldn't place a finger on it….