*Selene's POV*
Greta walked in noisily and opened the curtains as wide as it could go,letting the eager sunlight inside the room. I groan and rub my eyes open. Sometimes, I wonder if she actually does it to try to blind me with so much light. “Wake up.”Greta says as if the light won't have been enough to wake up the dead. She marches to the foot of the bed and throws a bright red magazine at my feet. I could recognise The Timeless magazine cover anywhere,any time. “What's the news today?”I yawn,sitting up. “I rather you read it.Its interesting.”Greta replies monotonously. “Page twenty-six.” I hesitantly reached for the livret and flipped to it. My eyes almost widened at the picture of me plastered beside him. Almost. I was used to this by now.They did it when he was getting married,they did it when we were in Italy at the same time, and they did it when Noelle was rumoured to be pregnant…. The only shocker was that even Timeless,a magazine I once adored for speaking only good things about me, was now jumping on the trend too. I look up at Greta with dread. “How bad is it?” “It depends on who you ask.”She replies. I don't like how her voice sounds,I have a feeling I won't like the article. I calmly returned my gaze to the words on the paper.My eyes swept over each and every line with a deepening frown.It was the interviews all over again.He is divorced, and they are convinced It's because of me. “Great.”I say through gritted teeth. “Now,not only am I the rejected luna,they have somehow painted me as a shameless sidechick who stole the Alpha from his rightful wife.” “I read that article thoroughly,"Greta interrupts. “You are the woman he is leaving Noelle for,not sidechick.” “Thats even worse”I complain loudly,pulling myself out of bed. “Its like the media will find any reason to pin me to him.” “And you don't want to be pinned to him.”Greta says in that monotone of hers that made you feel stupid. I stare long and hard at her before I reply. “Obviously not.” Her eyes narrows and she makes a hmm sound. “What?” “I didn't say anything.” “You didn't need to say anything.You are making that face that says you don't believe me.” “You know me so well.”she smiles and turns to leave the room. “Breakfast is ready by the way,hurry,the flight is by noon.” I glared at her leaving and glanced back at the magazine. The face of Ares Sinclair stared back at me.Even in photographs, his smoky eyes could bore into your soul. Noelle stood proudly beside him, too,her white hair flowing down her tanned body as she smiled contently beside him. Why won't she be content? Having a mother like Yolanda to plot your way into success will obviously make anyone happy. Then there was me,in between them,my black hair parted to the side while I posed in a black tube dress with a mid thigh split. The picture was from a red carpet event,they chose the exact picture to make me look like a desperate sidechick, while Noelle's picture was made to look like the perfect wife. I looked at his face and tried to figure out what his picture was supposed to depict,but I was at a loss. He wore a grey suit and a charming smile that would have fooled me if I didn't experience his cruelty first hand.I decided not to look further into details for my own sanity's sake. It has been four years,I am a star,I should be over the incident.In all honesty I thought I was,but I can't seem to get rid of the ill feeling in the pit of my stomach. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. Six months,I reminded myself. It's just six months. That will be enough to be done shooting the movie,and I will go take a long vacation somewhere. What could go wrong? “Breakfast is ready!”Greta yelled from downstairs. “In a minute!”I drawled,throwing my Robe over my arms and rushing down stairs. *** I stare at myself in the mirror as the stylists do the final touches on my look. “I see you are putting in extra effort into your appearance tonight.”Greta unmistakable voice chimes from the doorway. “Don't pretend like I don't always dress like this” I counter,throwing my head over my shoulder. “You dressed already?” She was. She was already draped in a radiating shade of royal blue and her short grey hair in a curled bun. “What do you think?”she asks with a smile. “ You look good.”I say,return my head in position so the stylist complete my hair. “Thank you.”she smiles discreetly. “You are pretty excited about the ball,huh?” “Of course.Why will I pass on the opportunity to meet the great Ares Sinclair?”Greta asks. “Plus the Blood Blossom Ball has always been legendary With their celebrations." “Dont get too excited,You aren't going to meet him.” I say with a roll of my eyes. “He either never attends these events, or he sits way up and forbids himself from mingling.Why do you think I'm going there? I'm not going to see him.” “But what if you do?” I freeze uneasily.The thought of it never actually crossed my mind,my subconsciousness had avoided it so many times now that I had actually forgotten it was a possibility. I didn't know what I would do or what I should do. My chest heaved up suddenly,I should have given it much more thought.Then, like a horrible blinding flash,a series of memories return to mind, and I remember very clearly our last interaction. The knot in my stomach loosens, and I replace my panic with the scalding hate I bore for him. My thoughts became clear,and I realized I won't meet him anyway.He was a type to gingerly avoid trouble,with all these rumours flying about,he wouldn't come near me. Knowing the type of “proper man” he was,he will ignore me for the entirety of my stay. Pretend I never existed. Then that's what I would do too,I would pretend he didn't exist. “I won't do anything”I finally reply with firm resolve. The girls working on my hair finish and inform me that they were done. I lean forward in the mirror to study it,I'm more than satisfied. “Thank you.”I reply and slowly turn my chair around to meet Greta. “So,”I say confidently as I rise to my feet. “Let's go to the ball.”*Selene's POV* The atmosphere of the Blossom Ball just as it had been advertised on the invitation—elite and extravagant. This was one of those events that tend to redefine the meaning of wealth.It had a very strict standard for eligibility to buy the ticket,new money couldn't get you in,you couldn't have a scandal to your name and you had to have good ties with the Royal family. I was everything they didn't want,and yet I got four VIP tickets,how hypocritical. I tucked my head out the car’s window and took a big sniff of the flower scented air. This palace has been reported to have a century old garden with the rarest and most precious of flowers. Of course, I thought it was all another assumption by the press since journalists were not allowed near the property, but the air itself was a testimony to this claim. “Miss Fortlyn.”an usher greets me as the limo comes to a smooth halt.”Welcome to the Blossom Ball.” “Foxx.”I corrected as he opened the car door. “It's Miss Foxx
*Ares's POV* Elais gets up from his seat the moment I enter the room. “We have done the research on him.”he begins with an unusual coolness. “He is into real estates and hotels.He has already bought land in the territory for construction.He is from Ravenclaw pack but his family relocated to England years ago.I doubt he is the spy.” I stare at my beta blankly,he wasn't giving me anything I can use to pin on this man and drive him out of my territory. “Did you find anything incriminating?”I oblige despite my countless requests that he did it earlier. He hands me the file and shakes his head. “No.” I frowned,Elais could find out if you cheated on your fifth grade test if he wanted to. No one is perfect,if he had searched,he would have found something. “Did you look for anything incriminating?”I asked calmly. Elais rubbed his hand on his jaw. “No.” Be calm,I tell myself.You already snapped once tonight.“Why not?” His eyes searched around the room for listeners and found n
*Yolanda's (Selene's stepmother) POV* “That's it Selene has returned!”the reporter exclaimed. I switched the channel. “And in other news.”the blonde began with a bright smile. “The Selene Foxx has just marked this town as her playground with tonight's latest activities–” I switched the channel again.This time it was my favourite show;‘The Analysts’,sitting in a circle discussing the exact same thing the other channels were discussing. I swallow hard and try to give it a chance.Maybe they were seeing it as the catastrophy that it was that she returned.Or perhaps they cared that she had completely stolen the entire point of the Blossom Ball and made it about her. Oh but I was wrong. I was so wrong. “I think Ironclaw should feel particularly blessed that they got to witness this phenomenal women right at their ball.”On of the TV hosts said as he admired the picture of her on the screen.“And they say she is staying for six whole months?” “She is indeed. She
*Selene POV* I reached for a bath bomb and threw it in the tub.I dissolved into bubbles and filled the water with a red tint. I took a sip from the champagne glass and placed cucumber slices on my eyelids. I could barely sleep last night,let's reiterate that : I couldn't sleep last night.My eyes were stuck on my ceiling,face frowned and mind in disarray watching the fan slowly turn the controls in my head. Blue. It was such a beautiful shade too,I had forgotten–or at least tried to forget what his eyes felt like. It slid into my blood,defrosting me from the inside. I had grown into the habit of calculating everything precisely before I went to bed.It helped me concentrate and gain clarity.It used to be just a hobby,but last night,it suddenly felt like a need. I then began to replay his actions from the night before,the arrest,his smirks,his distracting gaze,the disappointment etched in his features…it was like I was watching a movie,scene by scene…each piece more puzzling
*Ares's POV* The moment the door cracked open, her scent hit me like a punch to the gut. A wave of something—memories, anger, desire—crashed over me all at once. She was standing there in nothing but a silk robe, her hair wrapped up in a towel, eyes flashing with the kind of fire that had swore drawn me in and destroyed me all at once. I cleared my throat as I took a step further. Seeing her again felt like reopening an old wound, one that never healed properly, festering beneath the surface. Yet, I’d sought her out, walked straight into this room, knowing it would happen. I’d prepared myself for it—at least, I thought I had. “Well,well… what a pleasant surprise.The Alpha himself in my hotel room.”she said,her voice in a deadly calm,her hands sitting in a fold under her breasts.“Quite a scandal,don't you think?” I didn’t answer immediately. I let my eyes roam in the room she stayed in, taking it in. Every piece of furniture stood in effortless elegance as they blended into ea
*Selene's POV* “Pablo darling.”I said sweetly when he picked up the phone. A raspy smoke infested voice came from The end of the line. In between a croak and something that resembled happiness. “Selene,my favourite girl.” “Pablo, my favourite man.”I giggled back to fuel his ego. He was a mob leader who took care of shady business in my name with dreams and hopes that we will one day be in bed together. Poor hopes never came to fruition. “I missed you darling–you don't call me anymore.”He complained. That's because I don't need you anymore,I said internally but feigned sadness instead. “I'm so busy these days mi amor,if I had the time you would have grown bored of Me” I heard a gunshot in the background and frowned. “Are you occupied?”I asked,frowning. “Never too busy for you…”he replied with a laugh. “So when are you going to visit me–” “Soon.”I smiled,opening a notebook on my lap. “But I wanted a little favour from you.” “Hm.”He groaned unhappily. “I
*Selene's POV* “Here are your favourite flowers.” I raised an eyebrow at the bouquet in Dominic's hands,it was a large bouquet of fresh hibiscus flowers. I ran my hands in it. “Lovely,but still not my favourite.” His face grew confused. “But Greta said–” As if on cue,Greta appeared from inside the house,wiping her wet hands on her apron. She nodded at the bouquet in his hands and took it from him. “I thought you said it was her favourite flower,”Dominic said through gritted teeth. “You must have misheard.”Greta says nonchalantly,even I could tell she was lying.She did this to everyone who attempted to date me,she shamelessly exploited them,and in this case she wanted fresh hibiscus flowers to make hibiscus tea. “What a coincidence though,”she tells him as she heads back into the house. “I have been searching for these since I came.” “She tricked me,didn't she?”he asked as the door closed behind her. “Yes,”I said a sigh. “Get ready for more of those.” Dominic l
*Selene's POV* I discreetly slipped the note into my bra and got myself another drink. This seemed too suspicious to be true.My mind ran on thousands of explanatitions.How did he know I will be here? Why would he–a now wanted man even attend a Blossom Ball in the first place. I turned to face the room, and the group of elites and socialites continued chatting among themselves. Every now and then, the nosiest of the friend group will look my way and then continue talking. Dominic glances were more frequent,he was socialising with a couple of businessmen by the bar across the room.He looked like his conversation was boring him to death, and he was aching to be by my side again. Just as I was about to get myself another drink,a loud trumpet from the door pulled our attention. A herald dressed in deep purple walked deeper into the room and began in a loud authoritative voice. “Attention everyone,make way for our pack leaders,His Majesty Alpha Ares and Her Majesty Luna Noelle.”
Yolanda's POV“Is that the girl you saw bump into him?” I asked my spy, narrowing my eyes as we both stared at the security footage on the screen in front of us.“Yes,” she nodded, leaning in as if to get a better look. “The woman with the orange hair, beside the Alpha.”“Just as I suspected,” I hissed, my fingers tightening around the glass in my hand. The burn of the whiskey as it slid down my throat did little to ease the rising frustration. “I'm sure Selene is on our tail about Victor. And that orange-haired brat is who she sent to do the job.”The spy shifted beside me, eager to contribute, her excitement palpable. “So, do you want us to release the story about Liam now?”“No,” I replied sharply, raising two fingers as I leaned back in my chair. “I think I'll handle this in an entirely different way.” A wicked grin tugged at the corners of my lips as I squinted at the screen, watching Selene and Dominic in the center of the television below.I don't know what they were planning bu
*Selene's POV*There are three levels by which I rank evil: evil justified, evil triggering, and Dominic—Dominic being the highest on the scale. I knew Liam was crazy when he threatened to kill himself for me. At that moment, I truly believed no other man would cross that line of madness and emotional manipulation as he had.But then I met Dominic, and I realized my expectations of human foolery were far too low.I glanced down at the engagement ring on my finger. It was there the morning after sleeping in his bed. I hadn’t even said yes, for Christ’s sake, but here I was, wearing it and getting dolled up to stand at his side. Some event was happening tonight—I didn’t even have the energy to ask what it was.I felt the hairdresser's fingers curling my hair into a high ponytail and instinctively withdrew.“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped, more harshly than I intended. But with the world pulling at me in every direction, I needed to direct my anger somewhere, and she was, unf
*Ares's POV*“Do you know who Victor is?” I asked as soon as the door opened. “Ares?”Cassie asked in surprise,her eyes darting behind me. “You are here again?” “Good morning.”I greeted,walking past her. “Morning.”She replies,rubbing her eyes,evidently too tired to complain.“Do you know you Victor is?”I repeat my question with shorter patience “Is he a customer here?”Cassie yawned,leading me to a chair. I reluctantly took a seat despite really not wanting to,I was hoping not to spend too much time here,I was hoping not to get so comfortable. “I don't think he's a customer,”I draw out the chair. “I know nothing about him. In fact, I was hoping you knew something about him.” “How should I know?” I handed her the note Selene gave me and watched her face,hoping for a reaction…there wasn't much. She recognised the handwriting, but there was nothing more to it than that. “That's his address.”I said, trying to jug her memory somehow. “I think Selene slipped it into my coat whe
*Selene’s POV*“You are never going to pull that stunt with me, are we clear?” Dominic’s voice sliced through the quiet of the room like a whip, sharp and unforgiving.I remained silent, staring blankly at my reflection in the mirror as Greta calmly combed my hair back, her touch careful, avoiding even the slightest tension in the strands.“Answer me!” Dominic’s voice erupted again behind me, his frustration rippling through the air like a storm about to break. Greta flinched this time, her hand faltering.I dragged my eyes from my reflection to him—lazy, uninterested, detached. “You’re being too loud,” I said quietly, taking a slow sip of my ginger tea as if his anger didn’t reach me.“Greta,” Dominic snapped, his tone softer but still commanding. “Leave us. We need to talk privately.”The comb dropped to the table with a soft clatter, and Greta quickly walked away, making sure not to meet my eyes as she left the room.“You should really get your face treated,” I said, my voice dripp
*Ares’ POV*It was all like a dream-no,nightmare was the word best suited for what I felt.The question hit me like a punch in the gut,and the fans weren't helping either.The sound of the crowd was a distant roar, swelling around me like the crash of waves, but all I could see was her—Selene. She stood stiffly in front of Dominic, her eyes wide and unblinking. The fans were chanting, “Say yes!” louder and louder with each passing second, a suffocating rhythm pressing in on me. I clenched my fists, my body tense as I watched Dominic smile before her, his face smeared with a mixture of fake sincerity and desperation.Something was wrong. Her body language, the way her fingers twitched, the slight tremor in her hand—she was hesitating. She didn’t want this. I knew her well enough to read that. I could practically taste the panic in the air, though her face was trying to stay neutral. The fans, the cameras, all of it was just noise. Selene was my focus, and I wasn’t going to loose her,not
*Selene's POV*Where am I?Something internal voilently forced me awake, everything was blurry, like a painting smudged with greys and whites. A faint, sterile smell lingered in the air—disinfectant and bleach, sharp enough to wrinkle my nose. My throat was dry, my lips cracked, and a faint buzzing filled my ears. Slowly, the haze began to lift, and reality hit me with the weight of a boulder.The hunger strike. Dominic.I shifted slightly, feeling the stiff fabric of the hospital sheets brush against my skin. Every muscle in my body ached, the fatigue of starvation pulling me down like chains. I had taken this too far,it was foolish.Had I trusted someone enough to bring me food,It would all have been a farse but not even Greta was an ally,and actually starving myself was the only chance I had. I tried to breathe evenly, keeping my movements subtle. My eyes flicked toward the door—two of Dominic’s men were stationed there. Their dark suits a jarring contrast against the pale walls of
*Dominic's POV*“What did he mean by that?” I asked myself, watching the footage for what felt like the hundredth time. My eyes remained glued to the screen as I replayed the moment yet again. Ares’ finger brushed against Selene’s skin, and she didn’t flinch. No, she leaned into it — just slightly, but enough for someone like me, someone who knew her, to see that she wanted to be there. It was a small gesture, but it screamed betrayal. Not of me, but of everything she had fought for. Or perhaps it was all a lie. Maybe she hadn’t really been fighting at all.With me, she refused to eat. She used to give me the silent treatment, and now she was on a full hunger strike. I knew what I was doing was kidnapping — technically. But the lines were always blurred when it came to Selene and me. She wasn’t exactly here against her will, but she wasn’t free either.I couldn’t stomach the idea of her leaving. She had forgiven Ares for his betrayal because she loved him, but I was sure I could get m
Ares's POV*Three whole days. Selene had been completely off the radar for three whole days—no contact, no call, no public appearances. Every passing hour gnawed at my patience, the anxiety tightening in my chest like a vice.I sprang from the chair the moment Cassie entered the room. Her presence here was a reminder of where I was—this brothel, a place I shouldn’t have been, but desperation was a powerful motivator."Alpha Ares," she greeted, bowing respectfully."No need for that," I muttered, waving my hand dismissively. The last thing I needed was formalities when my mind was already spiraling.Cassie closed the door behind her, her sharp eyes lingering on me with what could only be described as judgment. Her silence dragged on for a moment before she broke it."I'm assuming you aren't here for a prostitute?" she asked, her tone dry but layered with subtle sarcasm.I frowned, confusion creasing my brow, until the realization dawned—of course, she would think that. It wasn’t often
*Noelle's POV*“There she is.”the maid pointed at the table under an oak tree and scurried away,leaving me at the edge of the garden,scared to enter the open field I saw my mother from a distance,sitting at her computer with a tea cup at her side,her silky gray hair pulled tightly to her neck and secured with a pin. I stared long and hard before I gathered the courage to walk to her. Besides,if she didn't want to meet me,she would have told the guards to let me in, right? The sound of my shoes hitting the grass sent her eyes spinning my way. They paused at my face and did a full scan of my body,her gaze got disgusted and she quickly looked away,facing her computer with an unbothered air. “Hello Mother.”I said respectfully,as though I was addressing an authority figure and not my caretaker,I might have been adopted but my feelings for her went way beyond papers,Im not sure–no I am sure–she didn't share the same sentiment but it never hurt to try.“The fact that you are calling me